Human Lobsters

If there's one thing true about most couples, it's the fact that they do things together. In this case, they decided to skip using sunscreen together while spending the day watching the sunset at the beach. Unfortunately, it didn't quite turn out well. While probably seeking a lighter shade of tanned skin, they ended up with a lobster version. 

Lobsters, in their defense, are made with pigment molecules in their shell called Crustacyanin. When cooked, the proteins in these molecules disappear, leaving them with a red color. But for these two, sunscreen would have saved them from having to replicate the effect.

Ripped Jean, Not The Best Option While Tanning

While ripped jeans might have been in existence since the 1870s and have become more trendy in recent decades, they are not the go-to wear for a day out in the sun. Created for miners, jeans are made from denim or dungaree fabrics. Their thick nature prevents direct and unfiltered access to the sun's rays.

But, in the case of ripped jeans, the torn areas allow the sun rays clear access to those exposed areas of the skin. The effects could be bad when a sunscreen lotion isn't applied, as this image clearly shows. The sunburn then affects just specific areas.

Not The Planned Summer Tan

Generally, the idea of working out takes zeal, discipline, and a lot of motivation. Even the most common routines that focus on just the biceps alone take commitment. Working the quadriceps would even require more than just a treadmill run. It would require more demanding activities like heel-elevated squats.

When muscular biceps have been successfully achieved, summer is the best time to show them off. But, while summer has one of the most fun vacations after Christmas and Easter, it is also the hottest of the four temperate seasons. Hence, while working your way into your prized body shape or dream vacation, sunscreen should be a must-have travel companion.

A Better Way To Use Socks

Socks are most times a good addition to the regular summer outfits since they prevent your feet from tanning on bright sunny days. Breathable cotton socks in particular help absorb most of the moisture off your feet while also providing you with a light-weighted feel to go with them. All these apply when used correctly.

Using it properly entails an even application of sunscreen to uncovered areas. In this case, that would involve the upper parts of the legs that are left uncovered, because it prevents situations like this where the body is excessively tanned, leaving the feet looking unevenly colored.

Rub The Sunscreen Spray Like Lotion

Sunscreen sprays and lotions are both efficient since they both have the active ingredients; titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The difference is in applying them correctly. While some people apply the sunscreen lotion to their bodies and gently rub around the parts exposed to the sun, others just apply the spray like a scent.

A perfect way to apply the sunscreen spray would be to apply it, then evenly massage it and spread the moisture to other parts of the body. This quintet probably did the opposite. Another quick tip is to ensure someone else applies the spray. That way, their hands can reach all sides of the back.

The Native American Blend Of Sunburn

While this looks great, it has an uncanny resemblance to one of the numerous body tattoos worn by the Native American tribes of North America. The culture of tattoos on their bodies is a welcomed tradition that marks their achievements and social status. It also indicates growth and the coming of age, which is often celebrated as a rite of adulthood.

In all, it is a beautifying trend for the tribe. But in this case, it is an unwelcome development resulting from an uneven application of the sunscreen spray. A simple solution entails requesting someone else to apply the spray to one's back.

The Neapolitan Effect

If there was something strikingly similar to this uneven-toned tan, it would be Neapolitan ice cream. Also known as Harlequin ice cream, they are a type of ice cream made up of three separate blends of flavors and colors in one container. It could be a blend of chocolate (brown), vanilla (a pale tint of yellow), and strawberry (red). 

A defining feature is that there is no packaging dividing them in between. While that might be a good blend on a plastic plate, it is not the anticipated result on a day out on the beach. A key to avoiding such an occurrence is evenly applying the sunscreen.

Having The Popsicle Stick Look

The idea of sibling rivalry has existed for ages now. A key factor in it is pranking each other while getting a good laugh out of it. That is probably what happened in this case. Whoever took this photo of the lady probably noticed the resemblance between her uneven-toned tan and that of the popsicle stick.

Popsicles are just a blend of ice pops on a stick. It is a mixture of color, sugar, corn syrup, gum, and stabilizers. The ice section of the snack is placed on the top part of the stick so that after the processing, the stick is left with two shades of its previous color.

Saving Just The Shoulders

Some of the body parts to which sunscreen lotions or sprays are applied are the face, neck, legs, arms, and upper body. But it turns out some others take a different approach to the application. In this case, the young man applied his to both the face and shoulders, leaving all other parts of the body vulnerable.

While minor sunburns like this are not lethal, it is not advised to leave the body exposed to the sun. This is because too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays without protection could damage skin cells. In more severe cases, it could result in some variations of cancer.

At Least the Henna Works As A Good  Sunscreen

Generally, henna is applied to the skin as a religious rite associated with Africa, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. These handcrafted ink structures rest on the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis and are above the melanocytes. The melanocytes in question play an important role in skin color.

So in some ways, the henna ink, when applied, acts as a form of resistance against the sun. Invariably, it could be the next best thing to sunscreen, which in this case worked out well for this lady as her henna tattoo (now faded) left an unburned spot on her body.

The Plumber Crack Tan

Whether it's at Railay Beach in Thailand or at Monterosso Al Mare in Italy, an afternoon by the seaside includes spending most of the time doing fun things. One of which is getting tanned. Plumber crack tans like this are pretty normal. It’s a situation a simple sunscreen would have salvaged.

The idea of a plumber's crack tan is associated with the regular posture plumbers keep while working. In most cases, it involves bending over by the sink, resting on their knees, or squatting. All of which causes a stretch of the upper body, thereby exposing a small portion of the lower back.

Popping the Question With A Tan

Prom, which is short for promenade, has been one of the most anticipated high school events that final-year students have looked forward to for decades now. The occasion gives them the avenue to appear in formal attire while freely having the time of their life within the school vicinity.

The event has, in the long run, incited creative and mundane measures of asking peers out for a dance. In this case, this fellow thought a grand gesture to his proposed date should involve both sunburn and sunscreen. While there's no information if it worked out well for him, that sure is a serious burn.

Direct Opposites

While tanning is a trendy endeavor many indulge in, it is pertinent that the procedure is tried out with care and a good but even quantity of sunscreen in the right places. With that, situations like this are prevented. At first glance, it could be assumed the man in question was either putting on trousers while under the sun or applying sunscreen to just his legs.

The result left him with a darker upper body than he would have expected. Reversing the effects or even making the tones would have to involve exfoliation with either homemade or store-bought scrubs. Not to mention turmeric and black tea, if applicable.

Smiling Nonetheless

For most, getting a heavy sunburn isn't a cause for celebration, but for this fellow, his smile couldn't have been wider. However, the burn will be stinging in no time and that smile won't hold for much longer.

Sunburns are generally accompanied by a stinging sensation alongside the coloring. For mild ones, the color turns red with a reasonable level of pain that can be coped with. The moderate sunburn goes with some swelling and sometimes is too hot to touch. For the severe sunburn, not only is the redness severe, but it also involves blistering and would require medical attention.

The Batman Tag

The Batman sign, as many call it, has been a fictional symbol of distress used by the Gotham City Police department. It was first incorporated in 1939 when it was issued in the 27th volume of Detective Comics. The symbol was always directed at the fictional superhero Batman.

Although fictional, it didn't stop people from printing the symbol in real life. While some were done with fabric materials, this one was done with sunscreen and a sunburn. It came out quite clean, but the resulting stinging sensation would be a lot to deal with. That is, if there are no other fatal side effects to it.

At Least The Necklace Was Safe

That looks like it definitely hurt a lot. Almost everyone should know the cardinal rules of sunscreen by now, but we guess this lady wasn't aware. First, it's essential to invest in sunscreen to avoid situations like this. Second, applying sunscreen to the neck and chest area is just as important as the face.

Sadly, she learned these lessons the painful way. Thankfully, the jewelry is non-tarnished despite the long sun exposure, but it must have left a sting. Non-tarnish jewelry is made from a few metals such as palladium, platinum, rose gold, and cobalt, so they will last the test of time, come rain or sunshine.

Not The Best Footwear

This person found out that wearing crocs on a sunny day isn't enough to protect the feet from the scorching hot sun. Crocs, the foam clog shoes made by the company of the same name, were established in 2002 but made quite a wave in 2021. While they are comfortable and the go-to choice for a quick errand run, they aren't the best protection against the sun.

Most people often forget to apply sunscreen to their feet, just like other exposed parts of the body. It's not exactly a place that comes to mind, but making an effort can prevent weird-looking feet like this fellow over here.

Sun Tan Artwork

It's hard to say if this was done on purpose or just a genuine accident, as sunburn tattoos were once a thing. Yes, people actually left imprints on their bodies and lounged in the sun to have an image like this guy had on his back.

The Pokemon mark on his back is quite cool but will leave a little sting when he's out of the sun. It takes about three to five days for mild sunburns to be properly healed. More severe cases can take several weeks to heal up. From the look of this guy's back, it will take a while for his Pokemon sunburn to be gone.

Ditch The Glasses For Next time

This is what happens when there are obstructions while getting a tan. It leads to uneven tan areas like this lady's face. Unfortunately, it calls for another tan day out in the sun, except she didn't mind going around with this funny glasses frame look.

The frame of her glasses was etched on her skin because they didn't let the light rays through like the lenses. Sunglasses, as opposed to clear glasses, serve as a barrier from UV rays for the eyes as they reflect these rays. They are to the eyes what sunscreen is to the body. Now, this lady knows to keep her glasses while tanning.

Even Kim K Had Her Moment

The famous Kim Kardashian had one of these awful sunburnt moments herself. She probably wasn't aware of the nuances involved in getting a tan. The embarrassing sunburn got in the most obvious place, her face, making it even worse. She learned the hard way and invested in lots of products to get her natural complexion back.

Certain natural remedies, like cornstarch, oatmeal, and the fan favorite, aloe vera, are very good at clearing sunburns and relieving the pain that comes with them. Plus, they are not as expensive as standard cosmetic brands. Aloe vera contains 19 amino acids which soften hard skin cells and also stimulate the production of collagen.

Zigzag Protection

Asking for help to apply sunscreen on hard-to-reach areas like the back is unavoidable, but what happens when the person doesn't take their time? The results are these zigzag spray lines on the back, like on this man. From the looks of it, a spray sunscreen was used, which should have provided good coverage.

However, the person who sprayed it on didn't do their job right, leading to partial sunburn marks. Spray sunscreens are just as effective as lotion sunscreens, but enough of it has to be sprayed on properly. Spray sunscreens dry down faster and are non-greasy, providing a great option for makeup lovers and a quick day out.

The Hot Pink Skin T-Shirt

We assure you that this guy doesn't have a pink T-shirt on. He, however, has severe sunburn that looks painful from the expression on his face. Long days in the sun call for extreme caution, especially during certain seasons like summer. Other seasons, like autumn and spring, are less temperate.

The average temperature is between 22 and 23 degrees Celsius and can get as high as 33 degrees Celsius during the summer. The temperature can sometimes be higher, depending on the location and changes in the environment. It is certainly not the time to go out shirtless without reinforcing the skin barrier with some much-needed sunscreen.

Quite The Chest Burn

People like to go out in the sun during the summer, it’s much more enjoyable and provides the much-needed vitamin D. But, when people are out too long during the day, then this is what happens. While the sun is a good source of vitamin D, it’s best to avoid over-exposure.

The best time to get your vitamin D is between nine in the morning and three in the afternoon. After noon, you only need to be in the sun for a short period to allow your body to produce this vitamin. Stay out too long and the UVB rays will have a negative effect on your skin.

A Tan Mug Shot

Too often, people think putting on a face cap is going to save their faces from getting sunburnt. As we can see, that’s far from true. Face caps don’t really entirely deflect the UVA and UVB rays from the sun. It does help to prevent excessive sunlight from being in your face or eyes.

The skin easily gets affected after too much sun exposure because the rays damage skin cells. In response, the immune system sends blood to the exposed parts, causing them to turn red and leave this awful all too familiar sunburn mark. Anyone with plans to age well should pick up some sunscreen.

Guys Wear Bikinis Too

Wearing a bikini out on the beach is certainly one of the best things ever. No one cares and everyone just tries to soak up the sun. For this guy here, he’ll have his bikini tan line to show how he spent a hot summer day. The lack of melanin in Caucasians and people with paler skin contributes to their getting sunburned easily.

Black and brown people have melanin, which acts as a form of natural sunblock. They too are susceptible to getting sunburned, but less likely than people with paler skin. In a nutshell, everyone needs to time their stay out in the sun.

One of The X-Men

The sad thing about sunburns is that they leave an imprint based on what the individual was wearing on their skin. It’s easy to guess the kind of clothes one had on at that moment, like this lady here. The top was probably cute but did no justice in protecting other parts of her skin.

The giant X could make for a great conversation starter with curious folks. Prolonged sun exposure can increase the risk of developing some diseases. It’s also the main culprit for dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. One of the best ways to get better skin is to reduce exposure and always use sunscreen.

The Helmet Couldn't Provide All The Protection

Merely looking at this, we all know what this guy was up to. Having a helmet on while on a bike ride is a necessary safety precaution, but sadly, his head looks like something from a sci-fi movie. In certain parts of the world, wearing a bike helmet is made mandatory by law, and not doing so can be a crime.

Countries like Australia charge people without a helmet a fine. The enforcement of the law varies from city to city, but it’s understandable why such great measures are taken. Applying sunscreen on the head may seem weird, but he’s learned his lesson.

The Price of Wearing a V-Neck Shirt

They say X marks the spot, but in this case, V tells the story. It’s a very short one that was bound to have been painful. It’s another sobering lesson in why sunscreen was invented. The first known form of sunscreen was invented in 1932 by the chemist H.A. Milton Blake.

The product has undergone various improvements and is being manufactured by so many brands around the world. It only begs the question why this guy didn’t see the need to grab one from the store? He looks like he may be ready to give a comical performance for anyone who cares to watch.

This is No Superman

We doubt Superman, whom this guy so obviously idolizes, would approve of him doing this. He was risking some pretty serious damage to his skin by only applying sunscreen to just the parts where he drew the S in his stomach. The symbol may not be well drawn, but at least he gets to feel like his hero.

Contrary to what many know, the S on Superman’s chest actually means hope in his native Kryptonian language and not Superman. It’s also the fictional character's family crest on his home planet. This guy doesn’t look like he’s bringing much hope with this not-so-smart move.

Mid Section Tan

Crop tops are cute until the exposed area gets sunburned. This lady can attest to it as her midsection is scorched in the red. Prolonged sun exposure has been revealed to damage the DNA in skin cells. It not only reduces the possibility of great-looking skin at an advanced age but also creates a predisposition for certain skin conditions.

Using sunscreen every day when going out is another great motivation when thinking about future kids. This lady won’t be wearing anything revealing her belly for quite a while. Plus, there are other less painful ways of getting a tan, like spraying the tan on.

Tanning The Tag

A standard hem tag or inside label is inserted into almost any piece of fabric to provide information about the piece of fabric. The information could range from the country of production, size, fabric type, method of laundering it, and the like. It is mostly placed inside the piece of material or at the collar if it's a shirt.

Most people detach the label after having got the information or they keep it inside. This lady did neither with her bikini tag as she tried it on. Unfortunately, she not only got sunburned for not using SPF but also got a tag mark on her too.

 The Closure Tan

Although face caps have been in existence since 3,200 BC, it wasn't until the '90s that they became a trendy addition to one's outfit. One of their cool features is the closure fitting attached to the back of the cap. It is placed there to provide a snug fit for each individual wearing it. But there is a downside to it.

While it sure works fine, the space created in the middle makes room for direct access of sun rays to the head, especially for bald people. So while this fellow was cruising all day with his, the back of his head was getting a closure tan.

He Forgot To Tan His Chest

The skin on the chest is just as vulnerable as that on the face. Hence, it is advised that sunscreen or any ultraviolet protection factor should be applied to the chest as well. That is because, to an extent, the epidermis of the chest is thinner than the face, so it would be more sensitive than the face itself.

However, this is advice not many people seem to be aware of. This guy, in particular, did make an effort to apply sunscreen. Unfortunately, he skipped key areas like the chest and stomach, resulting in what looks like a serious sunburn in those areas.

The Smiley Face

Smileys, otherwise known as smiley faces, have been popular since the '50s. The smiley is simply made up of the two dots at the top to represent opened eyes and a curved line at the base to represent a smile. It got more popularity in the '60s when it was used for a campaign tagged "Good Guys' ' by a New York-based radio station.

Since then, it has transformed into one of the trendy emoticons on gadgets and has been printed on materials too. This young fellow took the ideogram a bit more literally as he captured it across his chest and stomach with sunscreen.

The Bikini Markings

Bikinis are not only trendy, but they have been in existence since 1946 when they were first made by Jacques Heim. Their simplicity and style have made them one of the best-selling two-piece garments, such that in the United States alone they generate about $8 billion in sales annually.

But while they are quite attractive and give room for air, they are not the best tanning outfit. A fact that is evident in this image. When tanning, it is best advised to loosen any fabric covering any section of the body exposed to the sun. This way, when sunscreen is applied, it is evenly spread.

Not The Best Choice

The back-knotted bikini might not be the best choice for a day out at the beach because of the way it exposes one's body to the sun. The effect is worse when the bikini is worn without properly applying sunscreen. This could result in excessive sunburn, which is not only painful but can be lethal too.

Even when not physically evident in the form of sunburns, it's been recorded that repeated exposure to the sun can cause health problems. Some of them could range from mild risks, like irritation of the epidermis to more lethal ones like melanoma. With a generous application of sunblock lotion, the situation can be salvaged.

Probably Fell Asleep With Cereal

Household utensils like plates and spoons are made of rubber, plastic, ceramic, or silver, all of which can either receive heat and let it pass through or reflect it. Some can serve as a good shade against the sun. Hence, when kept on the body, they easily block the direct rays of the sun from contacting that particular area of the body.

That explains what happened to this lady. A good explanation would be that she sat under the direct glare of the sun with a bowl in between her lap and a spoon on one side without applying sunscreen.

A Farmer’s Tan

The idea of a farmer's tan or burn resulted from the fact that farmers spend long hours with their backs bent over in the fields. To cope with the heat while working, they wear a vest that only covers their upper body. The face, neck, and arms are then left exposed to the scourge of the sun’s heat.

The arms and other exposed areas would have gotten sunburnt by sunset, thereby leaving the covered areas with a different tone. From the looks of it, the man in the picture got a perfect farmer’s tan. He probably spent long hours in the sun while in the vest.

Super Fried

While a farmer's tan is one of the easiest sunburn patterns to get while working in the fields, getting it off can be quite tricky. A mild sunburn left untreated could take 3 to 5 days before it fades. A severe one, on the other hand, could take weeks before finally blending into one's natural tone.

In all, leaving it unattended is not a safe bet, especially in severe cases like the one in the picture. A safe way of tackling those would be the application of exfoliation. It could also be salvaged by dampening the skin while evenly applying baking soda.

A Sad End To A Happy Birthday

A birthday celebration is one of the most celebrated personal events generally. As such, people have devised new means of commemorating it. While some have created films, others have made songs, such that there are hundreds of them, including Loretta Lyn's 1965 hit track, "Happy Birthday."

But the lady in the picture figured temporarily stamping the letters on her forehead was more intuitive. While it sure is creative, it left her with not only a memory, but a new imprint. Paints are made with lead content, which in itself can act as a sunblock. Hence, the lady's forehead stamp was one of the few places spared from being sunburnt.