Got sunburnt...

[darndarndarnit]

Hello. Last summer, when I had just turned 18, I went to Portugal and I got pretty badly sunburnt on my face, because the sun was strong, and I sunbathed with no suntan cream on (stupid). That night my face was very red and it then blistered, so my skin was all horrible and raised and bumpy. However, it didn't really hurt much, and when it did it only lasted that evening, then from then on it healed pretty quickly, didn't hurt, and didn't peel much, the burn just went away after a while, went down.

I have pale skin and freckles. I was 18. It was quite bad. This is the thing: I am worried about getting skin cancer on my face now. What is the likelihood that I will get skin cancer there at some point in my life, and is there anything I can do now to try to prevent it? Thanks.

[Rick7799]

I have read that one bad sunburn will increase your chances of getting skin cancer later in life. Not to say you will get it, just that you have more of a chance then somebody who never got a sunburn. There is nothing you can do to prevent it except to protect yourself when you are in the sun. Don't let it worry you, enjoy the outdoors, just use common sense when you are in the sun.

[AmandaRose]

Don't worry too much about just one bad sunburn. I have had 5 skin cancers removed and they say that you get all of your skin damage BEFORE you reach the age of 18 and that normally you would have to have 3 bad sunburns to develop the skin cancer. Hope this makes you feel better!

[Saraly]

My doctor is an emminent dermatologist and professor at NYU Medical Center in Manhattan and he has always said it only takes one bad blistering sunburn to increase your chances of getting skin cancer. I did a search on the internet and it looks like all the sites on skin cancer agree. I wouldn't get crazy with worry, people are out in the sun all day and don't get it. Use sunblock when you're out in the sun and a hat is also a good idea. If you're very concerned have a skin screening by a dermatologist every so often and if you notice any spots that don't heal or go away have them checked. I had so many because as a kid I spent years in the sun and had many, many bad burns.

[darndarndarnit]

Thank you people.