The skin peels after a sunburn due to the damage caused to the cells of the epidermis by UV rays, which triggers an inflammatory reaction and shedding to eliminate the damaged cells.
When you get a sunburn, your skin receives an excessive dose of UV rays, which directly damages the cells of your epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. These UV rays damage the DNA of skin cells, leading to their death or significant dysfunctions. To respond to this damage, your body triggers an immediate inflammatory response: the skin becomes red, hot, painful, and sometimes swollen. Eventually, the damaged cells die in large numbers, causing an accelerated loss of the superficial layers of the epidermis, called peeling, which is that famous shedding you notice a few days after exposure.
When you get a sunburn, the upper layer of your skin (epidermis) suffers significant damage. Your skin cells die in large numbers, prompting your body to get rid of them quickly. As a result, the skin begins to peel, which is called desquamation. This phenomenon is simply your body getting rid of the burned and destroyed cells to make way for new and healthy skin. This loss of dry skin in fine flakes or patches is completely normal; it allows for faster regeneration after sun damage.
After a severe sunburn, the damaged skin triggers a rather clever response: the acceleration of cell renewal. Normally, skin cells replace themselves gradually, at their own pace. But with a sunburn, the epidermis steps it up a notch and quickly produces a ton of new cells to get rid of the damaged ones. As a result, these new cells rapidly rise to the surface to replace the old ones burned by UV rays. This accelerated process promotes the phenomenon of peeling, when the skin sheds in more or less large flakes. This accelerated replacement is crucial because it allows for damage repair and a quick return to healthy skin.
When a sunburn occurs, your body reacts with an inflammatory response. This inflammation is the skin panicking in response to the damage caused by UV rays. Your blood vessels dilate, which explains the redness and that unpleasant feeling of heat. At this stage, the body releases chemical substances such as histamine to repair the damage and protect the tissues. However, this mechanism also makes the skin sensitive and accelerates the death of superficial cells in the epidermis. These dead cells then detach in patches, which is commonly referred to as peeling.
The essential thing when you've got a sunburn is to properly hydrate your skin with a soothing or moisturizing cream. The more supple and hydrated your skin stays, the less it will peel. Also, remember to drink plenty of water, because hydration also comes from the inside. Take lukewarm and quick showers — especially avoid hot baths and harsh products. Wearing light cotton clothing also helps to limit friction that worsens peeling. Above all, resist the urge to scratch or pull on the little bits of skin! And next time: sunscreen, of course.
Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate through the clouds and cause sunburn.
Each episode of severe sunburn during childhood or adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing melanoma later in life.
Applying aloe vera gel after a sunburn can help reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin, and accelerate cell regeneration.
Contrary to popular belief, a tan obtained from a sunburn provides only very limited protection against future sun damage.
It is difficult to completely prevent peeling, as it is part of the natural process of regenerating damaged skin. However, by keeping the skin well-hydrated and avoiding any further irritation, it is possible to significantly reduce this phenomenon.
No, it is not advisable to manually pull off the skin, as this can cause additional injuries, increase the risk of infection, and slow down the healing process. It is better to let the dead skin fall off naturally.
To soothe and hydrate the skin, it is recommended to use moisturizing creams based on aloe vera or a repairing cream specifically formulated for sunburn. Avoid exfoliants or irritating products during this time.
Not necessarily. Peeling skin indicates that the damaged epidermis is in the process of regeneration. Even a mild sunburn can cause slight peeling. However, intense peeling accompanied by pain or blisters indicates a more severe burn.
The skin usually starts to peel between 2 to 7 days after excessive sun exposure. This duration can vary depending on the severity of the sunburn and the skin type.
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