Sunburns can double skin cancer risk, experts warn

Dermatologists are warning that common summer sunburns can significantly elevate the risk of developing skin cancer, including deadly melanoma, regardless of age. The cumulative damage from prolonged ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure can alter skin cells' DNA, leading to mutations that may result in cancer.

Research indicates that as few as five sunburns, irrespective of their severity, can double an individual's risk of melanoma. The Skin Cancer Foundation highlights that each intense sunburn contributes to lifelong DNA damage in the skin. While there isn't a precise threshold for a single burn to cause irreversible damage, experts confirm that both the intensity and frequency of sunburns increase the overall risk.

“

Every intense sunburn contributes to lifelong DNA damage in the skin.

Factors beyond the number of sunburns also play a crucial role. The age at which sunburns occur and their severity are significant. While most sunburns are first-degree, affecting the outer skin layer, second-degree burns, which cause blistering and may require medical attention, are also common. Severe childhood sunburns, particularly those causing blisters, have been linked to an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma later in life.

According to a 2024 national survey, over 88 million adults in the U.S. experience sunburns annually, with nearly 19 million having had four or more. While preventive measures are essential, experts emphasize that there are no established techniques to reverse the carcinogenic damage once a sunburn has occurred. Therefore, consistent application of sun protection remains the most critical strategy.

“

We do not have an exact threshold at which researchers can say: 'This single burn changed everything,' but we know that the risk increases with both the severity and the number of burns.