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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

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    #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

    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

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    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

    #8

    My Sock Tan Looks Like I Have Socks On

    My Sock Tan Looks Like I Have Socks On

    IcyIsosceles Report

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    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

    #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.”

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    #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

    #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

    #14

    The Difference Between My And My Brother's Tan

    The Difference Between My And My Brother's Tan

    YungTinkerbell Report

    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

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    #16

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

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

    BlueMacaw Report

    #17

    My Cousin's Neat Tan

    My Cousin's Neat Tan

    wowwhatagreataudience 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

    #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

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    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.

    #21

    Oh Yeah. Now That's Different

    Oh Yeah. Now That's Different

    dirtbagpoet.of.troy Report

    #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

    #26

    What Do You Think Of My Tan?

    What Do You Think Of My Tan?

    travelling__tales Report

    #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

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    #28

    My Sunburn Line Perfectly Follows My Vein

    My Sunburn Line Perfectly Follows My Vein

    Grc280 Report

    #29

    Husker Day Burns. Ouch

    Husker Day Burns. Ouch

    aliciakadavy Report

    #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

    #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

    #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

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    #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

    #38

    Sunburn On Vacation

    Sunburn On Vacation

    MapleSyrupLover_ Report

    #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

    #40

    Dude, Look At My Tan Lines

    Dude, Look At My Tan Lines

    patrick_oleary_art 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

    #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

    #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

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    #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

    #45

    Forgot Sunscreen

    Forgot Sunscreen

    grpvideoproductions Report

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    #46

    Cook Until It Stings

    Cook Until It Stings

    baristabj Report

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    #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

    #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

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

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