A woman has issued a stark warning to others after going to bed with a sore sunburn following a day spent in the sun – and waking up to her eyes drooping down her face and unusual swelling and puffiness
A young woman has issued a stark warning to sun-seekers after she woke up horrified by her reflection following a severe case of sunburn.
We have all been there – the sting of sunburn after a day out in the sun, or the realisation that we’ve neglected to reapply our suncream. But with temperatures on the rise and the spring sun beaming down, it’s perhaps time to stock up on suncream to protect against harmful UV rays.
Ashlei recently recounted her harrowing experience during a holiday to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The 23-year-old took to TikTok to reveal that her sunburn was so severe that her colleagues likened her appearance to Sloth from The Goonies. The unlucky woman, who retired to bed with a sunburnt face and chest, awoke to find her “forehead looking 3D”.
Ashlei was perplexed as she insisted she had applied suncream and reapplied every 25 minutes and each time she exited the swimming pool. Expecting her facial swelling to subside overnight, Ashlei was dismayed to wake up with a drooping eye, struggling to keep it open. As the morning progressed, her other eye also began to sag and the area beneath her eyes swelled.
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She described her return flight home as “looking like a puffer fish”. Upon her return, Ashlei promptly sought medical attention.
In the comments section of her viral video, one user related deeply to Ashlei’s experience, sharing: “The same exact thing happened to me in Punta Cana. I had to keep my face out of the sun for the next four days and I kept a bag of ice on my face all day and I also tried to put face moisturizer on as much as I could and it went away full after six days.”
Another traveller who faced the strong Punta Cana sun said: “Punta Cana’s sun is no joke. I was there and re applied sunscreen every hour and I left there barely being able to move my arms because of the huge blisters on my shoulders, even wearing a shirt hurt.”
A third person added their two cents: “The same thing happened to me! I looked like someone punched me in the face.” Sharing their family mishap, another commenter said: “That happened to my daughter but it was actually the sunscreen that she was allergic to, not the sun.”
Extending a word of caution, another chimed in: “Sun poisoning. Just be careful because now you can get it easy and often. Happens to my husband.”
One individual had some sun safety advice: “Normalise wearing hats and cover ups if you’re a pale person vacationing close to the equator,” and an Aussie advised: “Aussie here – wear sunscreen EVERY DAY. The UV rays even on cloudy days are not worth the cancer risk. Also it’ll prevent premature ageing.”
Here’s how to stay sun safe
Web MD highlights that individuals with fair or red hair, blue or grey eyes, and light complexions are at a higher risk of sunburn, regardless of the season. Boots has issued a reminder that sun protection is crucial even when it’s not peak summer or on cooler days, stating: “It’s easy to remember to apply SPF during the summer months, but it’s important to also apply it on cloudy, rainy or snowy days, as UV rays can still penetrate through and reach our skin.
“Regularly applying an SPF and limiting excess sun exposure on a daily basis can help protect skin from this damage, and stop it from adding up over time.”
Moreover, Boots advises extra care on particularly sunny days, recommending avoidance of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm, and suggesting the use of sunglasses, hats, or cover-ups for additional protection.
The NHS suggests using a minimum of SPF30 suncream, applied 30 minutes before going outdoors and again just before stepping out, followed by reapplication every two hours due to the drying effects of the sun. Adults should aim for six to eight teaspoons of suncream to cover the whole body and opt for water-resistant formulas if sweating or contact with water is anticipated.
The NHS advises: “Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.”
For more information about sun protection visit the NHS website, or if you are worried about sunburn you have gained, visit your GP.
