Driver Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I am a red-haired, fair skinned person. I can tan with effort if I wanted to, but I am very adamant about sun protection and never go outside without sunblock on my exposed skin. Two years ago I was on a cruise and decided to lay out for a bit without sunblock for the first time in...forever. I laid out for a half hour which I knew I could do because I'd done it before. But the sun must have been much stronger because I ended up with this RIDICULOUS, horrible sunburn that made me twitch, feel dizzy, and stay up at night. The weird thing is...two years later, whenever I get out of the shower and use hot, hot water, those original sunburn lines show up on my chest. The redness and the lines will stay visible for about thirty minutes after showering, and then they just disappear. What is causing this? Is this permanent? What can I do? Link to post Share on other sites
underpants Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I don't know. That is weird. I would ask your dermatoligist. I am sure your skin type is more sensitive to sun exposure but that is something new. Does it hurt or just visable? I would certainly be wary of the sun, especially with the fair skin. Link to post Share on other sites
directx Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Yes. See a dermatologist! Not all doctors are quacks or jerks. I avoid the sun as much as I can. I saw this comparison when I was kid of a Native American who lived in the Sun and a Chinese Monk who pretty much lived in a cave. Both were the same age. The native american looked worse than a worn catchers glove and the Chinese Monk's skin was a smooth as a baby's. Mine skin is still quite young looking and smooth! Yay! And if you are pretty, you'll look pretty untanned. If you are ugly, no tan is going help that. Link to post Share on other sites
Fun2BMe Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 During my teenage years there were a couple of summers when I overexposed my very fair skin to the sun and got bad sunburns, especially on my stomach. To this day the tan on my stomach remains and whenever I wear a midriff, open stomach shirt, friends will ask if I had been laying out! The bikini lines are visible to this day. We're talking from over 10 years ago. Link to post Share on other sites
Enema Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 What sort of lines? I am very fair skinned too and when I have a shower with hot water, my skin reddens where the water runs down me. It's just a natural reaction to the hot water... unless you mean you can see specific, sharp lines that could only appear from sunburn? Link to post Share on other sites
redfathom Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I too am redhair and fair skined - freckeled. I always wear sunscreen, on my face, neck and chest (I admit I need to wear it more on my arms, if I know I will be out in the sun more then 30 min I put on sun screen). I try to never tan. It sounds like you had nerve damage when you originally got sun burnt. I would see a dermatologist. I have only seen one once in my life, but I know I need to go regulalry very soon. My dad has had a few skin cancer scares and I am the same skin tone as him. Even if you did not go to the dermotologist for this reason you should still go. And I need to take my own advice and go. I hope everything is okay. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Driver Posted August 23, 2007 Author Share Posted August 23, 2007 Yes, I can faintly see the lines where I got burned (on my chest only) from two summers ago. But when I shower or go in hot water they become very obviously visible. It's kind of a disappointment that I am so crazy about sun protection and the one time I decided to "let go" a bit and be in the sun this happened to me and I am still dealing with it years later. I might start using Retin-A on the damaged area. Link to post Share on other sites
Fun2BMe Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I might start using Retin-A on the damaged area. OMG don't use Retin-A if you have fair skin. I've tried and it would make me beet red and makes you a hundred times more sensitive to the sun. I think you should talk to a dermatologist before trying anything other than sunscreen. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 OMG don't use Retin-A if you have fair skin. I've tried and it would make me beet red and makes you a hundred times more sensitive to the sun. I think you should talk to a dermatologist before trying anything other than sunscreen. Don't use retin A!!! Fun2BeMe is right, it will make you much much more sensitive to the sun. People who use retin A for acne have to be super careful about sun exposure because they can get terrible skin damage if they get burnt. If you are really worried, definitely see a dermatologist. Even if its just for piece of mind. Link to post Share on other sites
DrDragon Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 I am a red head with fair skin. I have permanent red skin on my face and nose. I went to a dermatoligist and she said there is nothing that can be done. It's permanent. Sucks man. Link to post Share on other sites
This_Too_Shall_Pass Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 DrDragon, did the doctor say it was a sunburn? Or are you assuming that? Link to post Share on other sites
DrDragon Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 The Doc said it is permanent sunburn from years of exposure and there is no remedy. Link to post Share on other sites
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