Can you get skin cancer from just one sunburn?

Even though I grew up in sunny Florida, I was still pretty prone to sunburn – especially during annual family vacations, when I would spend hours playing in the ocean with my cousins ​​and come out with bright red burns that sometimes blistered and always hurt. Even though this only happened once a year, my mother told me that one bad sunburn meant that I had an X percentage higher chance of getting skin cancer in the future. In my memory, this percentage fluctuates from 20% to 50% or even 80%.

Even though my mother was not a dermatologist, I should have listened to her pleas to use sunscreen and look after my future skin and health. As I grew older, I often thought about the statistics she shared, wondering if she was right or a bit melodramatic. Everyone gets sunburned sometimes, right? How bad can it really be?

According to dermatologists, yes far like okay. And my mother’s statistics weren’t far off.

“It is assumed that there is a vibrant youth sunburn doubles your risk of developing melanoma later in life,” says Boca Raton dermatologist Jeffrey Fromowitz, citing a statistic backed by research and the Skin Cancer Foundation. Fromowitz also said that five or more “typical” sunburns (non-blistering) also doubles the risk of developing melanomathe most dangerous and deadliest form of skin cancer.

Most of us know that sunburn doesn’t feel very pleasant. It can be painful, tender and stinging. It can cause blisters or peel the skin. But fewer of us are probably aware of what actually happens to our skin cells when we get a sunburn.

Debra Jaliman is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and the author of the book “Skin Rules: Trade Secrets of a Top New York Dermatologist.She explained to HuffPost that too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun specifically causes sunburn.

“A sunburn is your body’s way of responding to damage caused by UV rays. If your body gets too much sun, it will respond by turning red,” Jaliman said. “The redness and pain caused by a sunburn are your body’s immune system and natural inflammatory response. Skin cells are receiving extra blood to help heal the damaged skin.”

If the word “radiation” scares you, that’s right, because that’s exactly what happens to your skin when you spend too much time in the sun without proper protection. Jaliman echoes Fromowitz’s point that just one serious sunburn can increase your lifetime risk of skin cancer, so it’s worth taking it seriously.

It is important to reiterate that a single severe sunburn can double your risk of melanoma.

“Sunburns should never be normalized,” Jaliman explained, noting that if you have a family history of skin cancer, you should be extra careful (although everyone must wear an SPF of 30 or higher when exposed to the sun). “Genetics plays a role. Families tend to have similar skin types, which can increase your risk of developing skin cancer if you have a strong family history of malignant melanoma.

If you’re wondering why you spent an afternoon in the sun last weekend and noticed a slight pink glow on your shoulders or face, it’s important to know that this, too, is risky.

“Even turning pink from the sun indicates some damage at the cellular level,” Fromowitz says.

If you have a darker skin tone and don’t burn as easily or as quickly as other people, this is no reason to let your guard down when it comes to sun protection. In fact, it may be a reason to be even more careful.

“Many think that because of a certain skin type they are not at risk of skin cancer from sunburn. It is important to realize that anyone can get skin cancer,” said Jaliman.

If Min Denga dermatologist at MedStar Health, shared with HuffPost, skin cancers (including melanoma) Black and Latino people are disproportionately affected compared to white people.

“When skin cancer is found in black and Hispanic people, it is usually diagnosed at a later stage and, as a result, they have a poorer prognosis,” Deng said.

If you’re reading this story and panicking as you think back to the painful burn you suffered at summer camp or the time you thought tanning regularly was a good idea, it’s important to know that there are still ways to prioritize your skin health in the future.

You may not be able to change the damage done, but you can be on the lookout for early signs of skin cancer. Early detection is often the difference between a good and a bad prognosis.

“Everyone should have an annual skin check as an adult,” Jaliman said, noting that self-checks can also be important. “If you have a history of skin cancer and/or have suspicious moles, other spots or a history of severe sunburn, you should go sooner.”

According to Jaliman, there are a few things to look out for: moles that are atypical, meaning they have a large diameter, are asymmetrical, have an irregular border or different shades of color.

Although most people know how to prevent severe sunburn (broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher is a good choice), it is worth repeating.

“Practice safe sun and wear sun-protective clothing (hats, UV-protective fabrics, long sleeves, etc.),” Fromowitz said. “Don’t forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses with a UV filter.”

And if you think this is just an answer to the spring or summer months, think again.

“The UV rays that cause you to get sunburns aren’t as strong in the winter, but they’re still there,” Jaliman said. “The UV rays that cause fine lines and wrinkles and skin pigmentation are there year-round. UV rays even pass through clouds.”

There’s a reason why cloudy, windy pool or beach days can sometimes still cause severe sunburn.

If you find yourself cringing at the thought of your 10-year-old self failing to reapply sunscreen before a game of beach volleyball or a surfing lesson, you’re definitely not alone. Make it up to yourself by getting a skin check at home right now, or making an appointment with a dermatologist — it could just make the difference between early detection of skin cancer or missing it completely.

Go stock up on sunscreen now and thank yourself later.

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