50 Times People Posted Their Embarrassing Sunbathing Fails So You Can Learn From Their Mistakes

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 makessummertime– 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 applysunscreen, 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 findBored Panda’sinterview 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.This post may includeaffiliate links.

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 applysunscreen, 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 findBored Panda’sinterview 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.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

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

My Son’s Sunburn Matches The Gradient Of His Shirt

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

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

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

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

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

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 ofskin cancer.“Your risk is even worse if anyone in your family has had melanoma,” she said in an interview withBored 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!”

“Your risk is even worse if anyone in your family has had melanoma,” she said in an interview withBored 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!”

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

Perks Of Having Red Hair: Free Cancer

My Sock Tan Looks Like I Have Socks On

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

My Husband Got Scalp Edema From A Severe Sunburn

Awful Sunburn. It Hurts

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.”

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

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

The Difference Between My And My Brother’s Tan

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 amyth.“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.”

“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.”

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

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

My Cousin’s Neat Tan

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.

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.

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

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

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

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’sprevious editionon tans-gone-wrong for more.

Oh Yeah. Now That’s Different

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

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

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

My Friend’s Crazy Tan Lines

What Do You Think Of My Tan?

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