What should you know about permanent skin damage from sunburn?

Sunburn is an acute injury from ultraviolet exposure. Skin Redness, warmth, tenderness, Peeling Skin, and sometimes Skin Blisters can occur as the surface repairs itself. A healed burn may leave darker or lighter areas, altered texture, or increased sensitivity. Repeated exposure can add fine lines, uneven pigment, rough patches, and other features of photoaging. A visible mark after a burn does not identify its cause by itself; persistent, thickened, scaly, or changing areas need a clinician’s examination.

Move out of direct sun, cool the skin with tepid water or a cool damp cloth, drink fluids, and avoid peeling or breaking blisters. A bland moisturiser or Emollient Therapy can ease dryness once the skin is intact. Do not apply ice directly. A clinician may consider Topical Corticosteroids in selected situations, but do not self-treat blistered or infected skin with leftover medicines. Cover the area and use sun-protective clothing while it heals; apply sunscreen to intact skin as directed.

Seek prompt care for extensive blistering, severe swelling, severe pain, dehydration, vomiting, confusion, fainting, fever, or signs of infection such as increasing warmth, pus, or spreading redness. Arrange a skin check if a rough, scaly, pigmented, or thickened area fails to settle, changes over time, or repeatedly bleeds.

Ask whether the remaining colour or texture is expected to fade, how to protect the affected area, and which moisturisers are appropriate. If a mark persists, ask whether it needs dermoscopic examination or treatment and how to recognise infection or further sun injury.