Facts About Sunburn
Sunburn is a visible reaction of the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the invisible rays that are part of sunlight. Ultraviolet rays can also cause invisible damage to the skin. Excessive and/or multiple sunburns cause premature aging of the skin and lead to skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US and exposure to the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer.
UV rays are strongest during summer months when the sun is directly overhead (normally between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.).
How Many Americans Get Sunburn a Year Facts :
More than 1 out of every 3 Americans reports getting sunburned each year. Sunburn is a clear sign of overexposure to UV (ultraviolet) rays, a major cause of skin cancer. More than 400,000 cases of skin cancer, about 6,000 of which are melanomas, are estimated to be related to sunburn.
How common is sunburn?
Sunburns are very common, especially in young people. Between 50% and 75% of children younger than 18 have sunburns each year.
Who’s most affected by sunburn?
- Almost 66 percent of white women and just over 65 percent of white men
- Just over 38 percent of Hispanic women and 32 percent of Hispanic men
- About 13 percent of black women and 9 percent of men