New Research Shows Why We Sunburn

We hear the warnings all summer long about high UV indexes and the need to apply, and reapply, sunscreen in order to protect your skin. The warnings typically hash out the very real and very life threatening risk of skin cancer from getting burned.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “Children are especially at risk: One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life.”

While many heed the warning, the cases of melanoma are increasing particularly in the 18-39 year olds. And even though we know the sun can be harmful, no onehas ever been able to explain why our skin gets red, swollen, hot and extremely sensitive to the lightest touch.

That was until recently.

A team of researchers involved with the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has determined that when skin is damaged by the sun’s UVB rays it provokes “healthy, neighboring cells to start a process that results in an inflammatory response intended to remove sun-damaged cells.”

Principal investigator Richard L. Gallo, a professor of medicine at school and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System had this to say about the study, which tested its theory on human skin cells and a mouse:

“The inflammatory response is important to start the process of healing after cell death. We also believe the inflammatory process may clean up cells with genetic damage before they can become cancer. Of course, this process is imperfect and with more UV exposure, there is more chance of cells becoming cancerous.”

The study did not determine how factors such as “gender, skin pigmentation and individual genetics may affect the mechanism of sunburn.”

Earlier this summer, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and health officials spoke in Pier Village to discuss from the sun and show their support for legislation that would impose tighter restrictions on tanning salons.

So just how do you protect your skin from the damaging UV rays? The Skin Cancer foundation recommends a series of articles with information on how to treat sunburn and facts about sunburns and skin cancer. The Huffington Post also offers these tips for what to look for in a sunscreen product.