Why does fair skin burn

For this reason, they may still burn. Researchers developed the Fitzpatrick scale by interviewing many people about how their skin reacts to the sun. This scale is most effective when a dermatologist determines it; self-reporting skin type was less accurate.

The Fitzpatrick scale includes six classifications , as follows:. The first few types have the greatest risk of sunburn. Generally, the darker the skin tone, the lower the risk of sunburn. However, there is still a risk of sunburn in nearly all skin types — except type 6. In very light skin, sunburn is easy to detect. The skin may appear red and inflamed. In darker skin, however, it is harder to notice the subtle redness or pinkness it causes.

As sunburn heals, the skin may peel away in the affected area. It is important to take care of the skin as it heals, though the sunburn itself should clear up on its own in a matter of days. In darker skin, it may also be difficult to detect serious cases of sunburn that lead to heat stroke. People who have spent a lot of time in the sun should seek medical attention if they notice serious symptoms, such as:.

In most cases of minor sunburn, the body heals by itself. It is vital to protect the healing skin during this time. Sun protection is important for everyone. You may have to try a few brands of self-tanner to find one that looks best with your skin tone. For a subtle, goof-proof glow, try moisturizers that contain a modest amount of fake tanner, letting you gradually build up a little color without blotches and staining — or the smell that some people dislike.

Ask a friend to help you apply self-tanner to spots you can't reach, like your back. And be sure to wash your hands as soon as you finish applying the tanner.

Areas of your body that don't normally tan like the palms of your hands or soles of the feet just look dirty if you leave tanner on them. With self-tanners, you get better results if you exfoliate your skin with a scrub brush or loofah before the tanner is applied. This evens your skin tone and removes dead skin cells. If you use a sunless tanner, you'll need to wear plenty of sunscreen when you go outdoors to protect you from the sun's rays.

Self-tanners don't generate melanin production, so they won't protect you against sunburn and some scientists believe they might even make skin more susceptible to sun damage. If you're thinking about using a sunless tanner, it's a good idea to avoid airbrush or spray-on tans. Spray tans may have unknown health risks because people can breathe in the spray, or the tanner may end up on their lips or eye area.

Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Here are some tips to enjoy the great outdoors while protecting your skin and eyes from sun damage: Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even on cloudy days and when you don't plan on spending much time outdoors. If you don't want to wear a pure sunscreen, try a moisturizer with sunscreen in it, but make sure you put on enough. Ideally, it should also be hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic so it doesn't cause a rash or clog your pores.

The authors of a study expressed concern about the risk of skin cancer among Hispanic people in the U. Among Hispanic populations in the U.

A Hispanic person is more likely to receive a diagnosis at a younger age, at a later stage, and with a lower chance of survival compared with a white person. People with skin types 5 and 6 also have a risk of developing skin cancer, though the risk is lower than it is for people with skin types 1 or 2.

Even if the skin does not burn, sun damage can lead to cancer and early signs of skin aging. When it does occur, the outlook may be worse for several reasons, including the following:. However, sunscreens designed for lighter skin may leave a residue on the face that gives an ashen or chalky look. According to one expert , writing for the Skin Cancer Foundation, creams that contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide may work well.

Learn more about how sunburn affects dark skin here. Get some tips for black skin care here. Artificial tanning beds and machines can be harmful to all skin types. People of all skin types should check their skin around once per month. They should seek medical help if they find a mole or skin patch that:. It is worth noting that skin cancer may look different on different types of skin. Basal cell carcinoma , for example, often appears pink and pearly, especially on lighter skin.

However, it is pigmented in around half of all cases in darker skin. In these cases, it will appear brown. Acral lentiginous melanoma is a type of skin cancer not directly related to sun exposure.

A sunburn develops when the amount of UV exposure is greater than what can be protected against by the skin's melanin. The risk of damage increases with the amount and intensity of exposure. A tan is itself a sign of skin damage and does not help protect the skin. Every child needs sun protection. The lighter someone's natural skin color, the less melanin it has to absorb UV rays and protect itself.

The darker a person's natural skin color, the more melanin it has. But both dark- and light-skinned kids need protection from UV rays because any tanning or burning causes skin damage.

Whatever sunscreen you choose, make sure it's broad-spectrum protects against both UVA and UVB rays and, if kids are in or near water, is labeled water-resistant. Apply a generous amount and re-apply often. Try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest usually from 10 a. If kids are in the sun during this time, apply and reapply sunscreen — even if they're just playing in the backyard.

Most sun damage happens from exposure during day-to-day activities, not from being at the beach. Remember that even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, UV rays reach the earth. This "invisible sun" can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.

One of the best ways to protect skin is to cover up. To make sure clothes offer enough protection, put your hand inside garments to make sure you can't see it through them. Babies have thinner skin and underdeveloped melanin, so their skin burns easily. The best protection for babies under 6 months of age is shade, so they should be kept out of the sun whenever possible.

If your baby must be in the sun, dress him or her in clothing that covers the body, including hats with wide brims to shadow the face.