ADVERTISEMENT

The whiff of blossoming trees, sunshine on your skin, the cool refreshing water as you jump into a lake, and an increase in vitamin D levels—all of these things and many more are what makes summertime – a happy time. (Especially for those living in places with distinct four seasons and loooong dark winters.)

But one of the things that make summer the best time of the year for many, can also make it the worst; for a day or two, at least. I’m talking about said sunshine on your skin, which can get pretty harsh.

It’s safe to assume that most people have been sunburnt at least once or twice; chances are, you have been, too, so you might know just how painful and inconvenient it can be. But for some people, in addition to all that, it’s also embarrassing—or funny, depending on how you look at it—because of the tan they are left with.

Well, to make you feel better about your own tan, if you’ve already experienced a tanning session gone wrong, or to simply remind you to properly apply sunscreen, we’re coming to you today with some of the worst sunburns the internet has ever seen. Our team has combed the online world and found quite a few unfortunate cases, so scroll down to find them, and use this chance to learn from fellow netizens’ mistakes.

On the list below, you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with a Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut, Dr. Sherry Pagoto, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about sunburn and skin damage.

#1

When I Was A Teenager I Found Some Tanning Foam And Put A Stripe On My Wrist. Liked It So Much I Did My Arms And Legs. Nobody Was Amused But Me. It Lasted A Couple Months

When I Was A Teenager I Found Some Tanning Foam And Put A Stripe On My Wrist. Liked It So Much I Did My Arms And Legs. Nobody Was Amused But Me. It Lasted A Couple Months

Dr-Not-a-Milkman Report

RELATED:
    #2

    My Son’s Sunburn Matches The Gradient Of His Shirt

    My Son’s Sunburn Matches The Gradient Of His Shirt

    hellotypewriter Report

    #3

    Never Underestimate The Power Of The Sun. Fun Fact: The Sky Was Cloudy Almost The Entire Day. The Reflective Snow Alone Was Enough To Burn My Face Completely

    Never Underestimate The Power Of The Sun. Fun Fact: The Sky Was Cloudy Almost The Entire Day. The Reflective Snow Alone Was Enough To Burn My Face Completely

    exploreandremember Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    xolitaire avatar
    xolitaire
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She literally has red/strawberry blonde hair and super light. How can you not use sunscreen. I have that skintype and hair and I would literally burn to a crisp

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Imagine yourself in a sunny spot near a body of water; you’re relaxing as you listen to the quiet fuss of the people around you when you slowly drift asleep. You wake up a couple of hours later to see that your body is a soft shade of red crab.

    This scenario has likely happened to many of us, but for some reason, we often fail to learn from our mistakes – come next summer, we’ll likely do it again.

    #4

    Husband's Summer Tan Looks Like A Stranger's Hand

    Husband's Summer Tan Looks Like A Stranger's Hand

    IrisHopp Report

    #5

    Took My Boyfriend To The Beach Today, And He Fell Asleep In The Sun. This Is The Result

    Took My Boyfriend To The Beach Today, And He Fell Asleep In The Sun. This Is The Result

    be.my.serene Report

    ADVERTISEMENT

    While the unfortunate tans on this list might look amusing, in reality, sunburn is far from funny. Not only does it usually hurt (and becomes itchy when healing later), according to Dr. Sherry Pagoto, it can increase one’s risk for melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

    “Your risk is even worse if anyone in your family has had melanoma,” she said in an interview with Bored Panda. “Another thing to think about melanoma is that it is a very recurrent cancer. If you get it once, you are likely to get it again, so even if you beat it, you have to live with the fear of recurrence every day. That’s a worry you really don’t want, just ask someone who’s had melanoma!”

    #6

    The Hair On The Pale Part Of My Watch Tan Is Black, But The Hair On The Tan Part Of My Arm Is White

    The Hair On The Pale Part Of My Watch Tan Is Black, But The Hair On The Tan Part Of My Arm Is White

    jamaicanhopscotch Report

    #7

    Perks Of Having Red Hair: Free Cancer

    Perks Of Having Red Hair: Free Cancer

    jessesewell Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    The expert continued to point out that melanoma is the most prevalent form of cancer in the US, however, its risk can be minimized by wearing photoprotection, such as sunscreen, which can also prevent burns and skin damage.

    #9

    I Was Working Inside, But Next To A Large Garage Door That I Had Open. I Was In "I'm Inside, Don't Need Sunscreen" Mode, Not Realizing That I Was Still Very Much In Direct Sunlight

    I Was Working Inside, But Next To A Large Garage Door That I Had Open. I Was In "I'm Inside, Don't Need Sunscreen" Mode, Not Realizing That I Was Still Very Much In Direct Sunlight

    rabbidplatypus21 Report

    #10

    My Husband Got Scalp Edema From A Severe Sunburn

    My Husband Got Scalp Edema From A Severe Sunburn

    hippy_potto Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    jackburton_2 avatar
    Jack Burton
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    During a trip to Dominican Republic my wife got cornrows for the first time and she is really pale white european. She always put a lot of sunscreen. Her scalp swollen between the cornrows and on the forehead, she looked like an alien or a Buffy vapire slayer vilain for the last days of the trip.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    Awful Sunburn. It Hurts

    Awful Sunburn. It Hurts

    Hillary0631 Report

    Discussing the damage the sun causes to our skin, Dr. Pagoto emphasized that it doesn’t need to be burnt to be damaged. “When the skin tans, it is a sign it has had too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation and that the skin is attempting to protect itself from further damage. Some people like the tanned look, but tanning negatively impacts the integrity of your skin which leads to premature aging and cancer risk. If you like the tanned look, I highly recommend sunless tanning products because they cause no harm to the skin.”

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    Just A Friendly Public Service Announcement: Make Sure Your Sunblock Is Not Expired And You Actually Use It

    Just A Friendly Public Service Announcement: Make Sure Your Sunblock Is Not Expired And You Actually Use It

    tammyroe20 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    scarlettohara193674 avatar
    Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I learned the hard way that sunblock expiration dates are real. At a waterpark. In the summer. In Arizona. Now the leftovers go on the trash and new is bought every year!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    Someone Didn’t Want To Ask For Help With Their Sunscreen

    Someone Didn’t Want To Ask For Help With Their Sunscreen

    thedeparted85 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    xolitaire avatar
    xolitaire
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Use a spray. This way you can a) reach a lot of your back yourself and b) someone else helping you is not awkward.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    The Difference Between My And My Brother's Tan

    The Difference Between My And My Brother's Tan

    YungTinkerbell Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    libstak avatar
    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Left is the colour of my skin. That or lobster red, there is no in between, I use a high level of suncreen and yet...

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    You might think that you’ve heard of other ways, other than sunless tanning products, to achieve a tanned look without having to cook in the sun like a potato in a fire. But chances are, the information you heard is not much more than a myth.

    “The most common misconception is that a tan protects you from skin cancer,” Dr. Pagoto told Bored Panda, discussing popular sun- or tan-based myths. “Prolonged sun exposure damages the skin and can lead to DNA mutations that lead to cancer. We have to remember that the sun is emitting radiation, and radiation exposure is not healthy.”

    #15

    Well, It's Official, I'm An Idiot, And Summer Has Just Begun

    Well, It's Official, I'm An Idiot, And Summer Has Just Begun

    rkyrocrat Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    zkvanpatten avatar
    Zara VP
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've got something similar to this on summer- I forgot to reapply sunscreen. Some of the worst pain I have experienced. Nothing helped.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #16

    Love My New Slip-On Vans, Hate The Tan Lines

    Love My New Slip-On Vans, Hate The Tan Lines

    BlueMacaw Report

    It’s unclear if being more aware of the damage the sun can cause deters people from sunbathing, but statistics from nearly a decade between 2011 and 2020 show that interest in sunbathing seems to be shrinking.

    According to Statista, the number of people in the US who went tanning—be it once, a couple, or more than four times—in the last six months in 2020 was lower than the years before. For instance, while in 2012, close to four million people went sunbathing more than four times within the span of half-a-year, in 2020 the number dropped to roughly two million.

    #18

    Day In The Sun + Backwards Cap = Awkward Sunburn. Top Effort Dom

    Day In The Sun + Backwards Cap = Awkward Sunburn. Top Effort Dom

    kmarkham_golf_fitness Report

    #19

    I Forgot To Put Sun Block On My Legs During A Kayak Trip On The Lake

    I Forgot To Put Sun Block On My Legs During A Kayak Trip On The Lake

    Tekki Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    sarah-jones avatar
    sbj
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ouch! I can feel the pain just looking at this photo

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    My Sunburn From A Few Days Ago Started To Peel. I Went For A Run Today And All The Sweat Got Caught Underneath The Dead Skin And Formed A Lot Of Sweat Bubbles

    My Sunburn From A Few Days Ago Started To Peel. I Went For A Run Today And All The Sweat Got Caught Underneath The Dead Skin And Formed A Lot Of Sweat Bubbles

    wifi_is_fake Report

    ADVERTISEMENT

    If you’ve enjoyed browsing these pictures of some of the most unfortunate tans there are—or if you’re still not convinced that sunscreen is a good idea—continue to Bored Panda’s previous edition on tans-gone-wrong for more.

    #22

    I Work Outdoors, This Is The Color Difference Of My Hand And My Foot

    I Work Outdoors, This Is The Color Difference Of My Hand And My Foot

    420trainwreck Report

    #23

    I Went Kayaking In Florida Six Days Ago And Got The Worst Sunburn (Yes, I Put Sunscreen On). I Typically Don't Use The Spray Kind, So I Thought I Had Applied It Well, But Apparently Not

    I Went Kayaking In Florida Six Days Ago And Got The Worst Sunburn (Yes, I Put Sunscreen On). I Typically Don't Use The Spray Kind, So I Thought I Had Applied It Well, But Apparently Not

    earthling1117 Report

    #24

    New Rule: No Matter How Much The Sunscreen Costs (After You Drunkenly Lose The One You Brought) You Buy It

    New Rule: No Matter How Much The Sunscreen Costs (After You Drunkenly Lose The One You Brought) You Buy It

    emfordhall Report

    #25

    My Friend's Crazy Tan Lines

    My Friend's Crazy Tan Lines

    sanjirou3 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    marydaniel_1 avatar
    nonesuch
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love his carefree posture. Oblivious to his odd tan markings. Just concentrating on catching that big one.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    After All These Years, Still Trying To Figure Out How Much Sunscreen To Use 🥵😬 Usually I Don’t Get A Lot Of Sun Under My Hair. Well You Can Clearly See That Theory Didn’t Work For Me This Time

    After All These Years, Still Trying To Figure Out How Much Sunscreen To Use 🥵😬 Usually I Don’t Get A Lot Of Sun Under My Hair. Well You Can Clearly See That Theory Didn’t Work For Me This Time

    mat_brooks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #28

    My Sunburn Line Perfectly Follows My Vein

    My Sunburn Line Perfectly Follows My Vein

    Grc280 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    linamarklund avatar
    Chonky Panda
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's interesting, does anyone who know why? Or was it just that the shirt/cover lined up perfectly?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    I've Put Sunscreen On My Face And Wiped My Fingers On My Arm

    I've Put Sunscreen On My Face And Wiped My Fingers On My Arm

    Coperoni Report

    #31

    I Think I Missed Some Spots

    I Think I Missed Some Spots

    jcrawf05 Report

    #32

    Thought I Would Get A Nice Base Tan Helping Out At My Customer's Farm For A Couple Hours

    Thought I Would Get A Nice Base Tan Helping Out At My Customer's Farm For A Couple Hours

    SnowboardingEgg Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    glennschroeder avatar
    Papa
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had a client where I work years ago who was working outside and took his shirt off around lunchtime one day. Several people told him he should put it back on, but he said "It will be fine. I go outside without a shirt all the time back home in New York." Buddy, you aren't in New York anymore. The next day he was wishing he had listened.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #33

    The After Effects Of Spending All Weekend In The Pool Wearing Sunglasses

    The After Effects Of Spending All Weekend In The Pool Wearing Sunglasses

    meghanly86 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    dv8sm avatar
    Queeqec
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are wearing your sunglasses wrong, if the skin around the eyes an the lids are tanned.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #34

    I Came Across This Picture Of A Sunburn I Got When I Was 17 Years Old At A NASCAR Race

    I Came Across This Picture Of A Sunburn I Got When I Was 17 Years Old At A NASCAR Race

    June_Third_2024 Report

    #35

    My Tanned And Untanned Skin Tones Are Drastically Different

    My Tanned And Untanned Skin Tones Are Drastically Different

    CATNIP_IS_CRACK Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #36

    Missed Sunscreen

    Missed Sunscreen

    KarmaDeliveryMan Report

    #37

    Spent Two Days In The Glorious Sunshine Working Outside And Did Not Anticipate Getting A Tan. Guess I’ll Keep The Thumb Splint On A Bit Longer

    Spent Two Days In The Glorious Sunshine Working Outside And Did Not Anticipate Getting A Tan. Guess I’ll Keep The Thumb Splint On A Bit Longer

    BirdieFive Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    sarah_a_tate avatar
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She was obviously working in the garden - do you all have perfectly clean hands after that?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #39

    The Duality Of Pale, Strongest Sunscreen, Most Time On The Shade, Avoiding Strongest Hours And Still This Happened

    The Duality Of Pale, Strongest Sunscreen, Most Time On The Shade, Avoiding Strongest Hours And Still This Happened

    I am burning so much. I have 2 fans against me, and it's still not enough.

    al3237 Report

    #41

    I Recently Went To Hawaii And Got A Gnarly Sunburn As Seen Here. Ended Up Getting A Case Of “Hell’s Itch”, Which Was Genuinely The Worst Pain I’ve Ever Experienced

    I Recently Went To Hawaii And Got A Gnarly Sunburn As Seen Here. Ended Up Getting A Case Of “Hell’s Itch”, Which Was Genuinely The Worst Pain I’ve Ever Experienced

    dragonxmother Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    xolitaire avatar
    xolitaire
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But what part of "going to Hawaii" does not scream "I need sunscreen" to you?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #42

    My Burn From A Few Years Ago. Still Remember The Horrific Pain, Worst Sunburn I've Ever Experienced

    My Burn From A Few Years Ago. Still Remember The Horrific Pain, Worst Sunburn I've Ever Experienced

    sarahdasgupta Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    jeffhunt avatar
    Jeff Hunt
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the top of your feet is the worst. That and the top of your head.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #43

    Today I Got A Raccoon Sunburn And My Chain Around My Neck Tan Too

    Today I Got A Raccoon Sunburn And My Chain Around My Neck Tan Too

    deans_pix Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #44

    Oh, Your Shoulder Is Sore? You Should Get It Taped, They Said. It Will Help With The Pain, They Said. Except No One Mentioned To Maybe Put On More Sunscreen

    Oh, Your Shoulder Is Sore? You Should Get It Taped, They Said. It Will Help With The Pain, They Said. Except No One Mentioned To Maybe Put On More Sunscreen

    fayenault Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    xqueenbee59x avatar
    Spittnimage
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So it's their fault because they didn't tell a grown woman to put on sunscreen.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #47

    Went To An Amusement Park And Forgot Sunscreen But The Paint They Marked Me With Left A Tan Line

    Went To An Amusement Park And Forgot Sunscreen But The Paint They Marked Me With Left A Tan Line

    judith-has-a-knife Report

    #48

    The Way My Bracelet Created This Tan Line

    The Way My Bracelet Created This Tan Line

    kgxdfrey Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    birgit200x avatar
    Bored Birgit
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wolfgang Petry, is that you? (German singer who wore dozens of friendship bracelets)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #49

    The Sun Is My Greatest Nemesis

    The Sun Is My Greatest Nemesis

    Rose262 Report

    #50

    Went To A Music Festival, Got This Gnarly Sunburn

    Went To A Music Festival, Got This Gnarly Sunburn

    TheBlitzkid46 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    anouklulu avatar
    justanotherweirdo
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would’ve thought all the people would shade your legs (still should put on sunscreen, but would’ve thought your legs would get less sun)

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Note: this post originally had 74 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda