A simple inconvenience passed quickly? Contrary to popular belief, sunburn is not a simple burn, but rather the visible sign of an “immune reaction” in our body. If it seems mild in the short term, the buildup of sunburn, even a priori light, it is not harmless in the long term and can cause skin cancer.

A helpful reminder. A young molecular biology student, who makes popular science videos on the TikTok social network, took advantage of the summer to explain the effects of sunburn on the body.

“Contrairement à ce qu’on pourrait croire, le coup de soleil n’est pas une brûlure thermique de la peau. (…) Ce n’est pas possible, votre corps reste à 37°C”, explain-t- The.

The red spots on the skin are actually the sign of an “immune reaction” of the body attacked by UV rays. Therefore, the pain you feel is not related to a burn, such as one might get from being in contact with a heating plate. It arises from an “immunological inflammation”, that typical reaction of the human body after an internal or external aggression, according to the future biologist.

The risk of “dangerous mutations” for skin cells

In case of sunburn, UV rays “kill most of the cells of the superficial layer of the skin and those that do not die are damaged”, indicates the World Health Organization (WHO).

“In response, nearby cells activate inflammatory molecules to kill their injured neighbors. It is therefore a short-term protection mechanism”, explains the magazine future science.

The phenomenon manifests via various symptoms, according to the student: “Redness, pain, heat, swelling”, the typical symptoms of sunburn.

But what does the human body need to protect itself from? Specifically, the destruction of damaged cells makes it possible to eliminate the elimination of DNA that runs the risk of mutating in a “very dangerous” way, according to the biology enthusiast. A way to prevent the risk of skin cancer.

“Cancer takes years to prepare”

But beware, the human body cannot prevent disease on its own. If many problem cells are destroyed, the danger is not ruled out. Because some cells slip through the cracks and can still mutate.

Also, a sunburn causes many cells to be lost in the human body and must be replaced.

“Then other cells that have not been affected will multiply very quickly. (…) And when the cells accumulate too quickly, they accumulate errors”, warns the young student. “Mistakes” which in turn can lead to cancer.

In general, melanoma does not occur after one or two sunburns, it is the result of prolonged neglect.

“A cancer is prepared with years. If you have skin cancer at 50, you generally pay the consequences of mutations that you began to accumulate at 15”, warns the student-tiktokeur.

Given these risks, the WHO recommends avoiding sun exposure in the middle of the day, wearing protective clothing and a hat, and applying sunscreen.