Is there a way to prevent skin cancer after getting a sunburn?

Question

After getting a sunburn or tan, could you do something to your skin to prevent future cancers or damage? Does cold water help? Lotions etc.?

Answer 1

No.

Once the damage is done it is done and you can not do anything about it.

Answer 2

I think there is no way to prevent the risk of skin cancer once the damage has been done. The only way to permananetly avoid skin cancer in a way that works is to not go outside in the sun at all. Or otherwise use at least a 15 SPF sunblock, preferably 30 or over depending on the contitions of the day. Sunblock should also be applied at least 30 minutrs before going outside or being exposed to the elements in away way. As for the actual prevention of cancer I don't think there's anything you can do. I've never heard of a prevention for skin cancer once the damage was done from real and/or fake tanning\burning. Just make sure she doesn't get burnt in the same place in the next week because then her chances of skin cancer basically double. Apply aloe vera until the burning or "fever" sensation go away and apply ice for about 15 minutes at a time if it's really bad.

Answer 3

After sunburn the damage is already done... The best treatment afterwards is to use a good moisturiser on your skin. Cold water does not help, but a good aftersun lotion will help prevent peeling. Rather take a warm bath and add some Vitamin E oil to the bath water to soothe the skin.

The best prevention for cancer is to always use a SPF cream when you go in the sun.

Answer 4

No. Respectfully... you can do as much for preventing cancer AFTER your tan (burn) as you can put the yolk and white of an egg back in the shell.

Water only slows the burning effect to eliminate further damage to the skin, which is why that is the recommended medical treatment for most burns: place in cool, running water. Once the skin is damaged, it is NEVER the same. Have you ever seen a person who has obvious burn scars? If your skin doesn't look bad/different yet, it will.

I grew up in California and spent thousands of hours on the beach and in the last twelve years I have had over 20 surgeries removing cancerous tissue from my head, my neck, my back, and my face. I have been told I could die from the procedure three times, lose my sight in my left eye, and actually died once. SERIOUSLY. I am a very white man, proud to be one... and I'm alive.

Answer 5

Once damage is done, it is done !! Research shows that you got 80% of your lifetime sun exposure between birth and 18 years old. It can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for that damage to turn into non-melanoma skin cancers. ((melanoma is a whole nother animal ))

Non- melanoma skin cancers are not life threating, very rarely spread to other parts of the body, BUT... they do require surgery to remove. If left alone, they continue to grow wider and deeper ! The largest skin cancer I have seen was well over 4 inches wide, and had grown down to the bone. NOT GOOD !!

Sunscreens are very important. However-- a few quick words about them. The SPF number is not regulated !! The manufactors can put any number they wish to on any bottle !! The FDA is currently looking at someway of measuring SPF and regulating the numbers.

Sunscreens do work, but keep in mind a few things-- they have to be waterproof ! as soon as you start to sweat ( and who doesn't in the summer ) you are washing the sunscreen away. water proof is not the same thing as water resistant--- Apply 20-30 minutes BEFORE sun exposure. ----The closer you are to the equator the stronger the sun's rays. A good sunscreen in Maine, would not be a good sunscreen in Florida!! ---- a sunscreen should block both UVA and UVB. UVB causes burns, UVA causes skin aging and wrinkles. ----

Hope this helps !

Answer 6

go see a doctor if you are so scared