Long-term risks of your kids getting sunburned

A dermatologist and a Cancer Research UK expert explain the potential damage to young skin and offer their advice on sun safety.

- By LISA SALMON

ALTHOUGH many parents probably remember getting sunburn as children, it's become increasingly apparent that sun-damaged skin can be dangerous later in life.

Nevertheless, it seems lots of kids are still getting sunburn.

British Skin Foundation (BSF) research from 2024 found 59% of children have been sunburned at least once, with their parents admitting just 42% of kids carry and know how to use sunscreen in the summer, and 75% of children unaware of the benefits of seeking shade in the summer, with only 13% wearing UPF clothing.

But while the pain and redness from sunburn diminish after a few days, it could have caused irreversible damage to children’s skin which may rear its head when they're adults, potentially causing premature ageing and skin cancer.

Indeed, the BSF says sunburn in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, in later life, and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) says studies suggest around a quarter of the lifetime UV damage suffered by our skin occurs before the age of 20, increasing the risk of skin cancer later in life.

BAD consultant dermatologist Professor Tess McPherson says: “Sunburn should always be avoided wherever possible, particularly in children. Severe sunburn can cause blisters and can lead to heatstroke and heat exhaustion, so it should be taken very seriously.

“In addition to being painful and unpleasant, sunburn can cause permanent damage, which can increase the risk of skin cancer in the future.”

Prof McPherson stresses that the risk of developing skin cancer can increase with cumulative exposure, adding: “Studies indicate that experiencing five or more bad sunburns before age 20 increases your melanoma risk by 80%.”