The sun, taken in moderation, has beneficial effects on the body, but uncontrolled, unprotected and too prolonged exposure can cause serious consequences for the skin and for health in general.

The first signs of a sunburn usually only appear after a few hours. The total effect on the skin may take up to 24 hours or more, and possible symptoms include red and sensitive skin that is hot to the touch, blisters that appear hours to days later, severe reactions (sometimes called sun allergy) including fever, chills, nausea or rash and skin peeling in sunburned areas several days later.

The symptoms of sunburn are usually temporary, but the damage to the skin cells is often permanent, which can have serious long-term effects such as the appearance of skin cancer. When the skin begins to become painful and red, the damage is done, the pain being worse between 6 and 48 hours after exposure to the sun.