7 Places You Are Most Likely to Get Sunburn around the World ...

By Neecey

I’m sure you know there are places you're most likely to get sunburn around the world – but do you know where? You don’t want to ruin a vacation because of sunburn, and even though we are savvier these days about the potential harm the sun can do, there are additional risk factors that we need to consider when we’re heading to certain destinations. These places you’re most likely to get sunburn are so because it’s more than just the beating sun that’s in play.

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1

Australia

Australia The motto for beach life in Australia is “Slip, Slop, Slap” –slip on a shirt, slop on the 30+ sunscreen, slap on a hat. As we’ve grown more knowledgeable about the effects of the sun, the Australian cancer campaign even extended it to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide – adding seek shade or shelter, slide on some sunnies to the original. That should be indication enough that Australia is one of the places you're most likely to get sunburn. Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world (Ref: skincancer.gov.au) and this is due to its proximity to the seasonal “ozone hole” of the South Pole.

2

Hawaii

Hawaii Do you know why the sun and the beach create a combination guaranteed to cause sunburn? You definitely need to know if you intend to visit the 50th state. Sand and sun are a perfect couple, and you know what happens when you get between a perfect couple! And there’s plenty of opportunity on Hawaii’s many stunning beaches. You get an extra dose of UV rays on a sunny beach than elsewhere because sand reflects around 25% of the sun’s rays, making their effects more powerful.

3

Patagonia

Patagonia Patagonia is a region of southern South America shared by Argentina and Chile. It is wild and barren, consisting of the far reaches of the Andes, desert, steppe and grasslands. You may wonder about the relationship of such an area to sunburn. The connection is wind. Even though Patagonia doesn’t get as much concentrated sunshine as other places you are most likely to get sunburn, it is very windy, and in this region you can get both sunburn and windburn. Singly they are bad enough, together it’s no fun. The combination of sun, dry air and cold winds strips skin of its natural oils, leaving it sore and red, and sometimes itchy.

4

India

India You may be thinking that if India is on the list as well as Australia, that basically anywhere hot could feature among the worst places for sunburn. Not so; all the places listed have a specific reason you need to be more vigilant in practicing sun safety. In India’s case, that reason is malaria – and this applies to countries in Africa too. Anti-malarial antibiotics that contain doxycycline (which is a large number of them) heighten the body’s sun sensitivity (Ref: nevdgp.org.au). You need to take anti-malarials in malaria prone areas of the world, and that means increasing your slip, slop, slap too.

5

The Caribbean

The Caribbean Is there anything as irresistible as a dip in the crystalline clear waters of the ocean after you’ve baked in the sun for a couple of hours? If that beach you’ve been sunning yourself on is on a Caribbean island, please be aware that water and sun are a potent mix. The reflectiveness of the clear water can increase the intensity of UV rays by up to 50%. Plus, in the shallows, there can even be increased reflection from the sun’s rays hitting the sandy bottom. If you’re going to be among the 25 million annual visitors to the Caribbean, remember you can burn more quickly in the water than out.

UPD:

Tips for Enjoying the Sun Safely: Remember to slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, reapplying every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Opt for beachwear and accessories, like UV-protective rash guards and wide-brimmed hats, to keep those harmful rays at bay. Seek shade during peak sun intensity hours—usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.—to give your skin a break. And hydration is key; drink plenty of water to keep your body refreshed and replenished under that tropical sun. Stay sunsmart to ensure your Caribbean escape is as idyllic as a postcard!

Famous Quotes

One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.

Albert Schweitzer
6

Colorado, USA and Zermatt, Switzerland

Colorado, USA and Zermatt, Switzerland Colorado is in my list to highlight the additional risk of sunburn created by sun and altitude. For every thousand feet above sea level, UV exposure can increase from 4 to 10%. In simple terms that means that the higher up you are, the greater the risk of sunburn. In mathematical terms, that means at 9,000 feet above sea level, ultraviolet radiation can be as much as nearly 50% more intensive than UV at sea level. That risk is there whether you’re in a high altitude city like Denver or Mexico City or in the mountains. Then we also mustn’t forget about winter sun. Snow is one of the most reflective surfaces and it bounces back around 80% of the sun’s UV rays. If you’re out on the slopes on sunny day, you’ve got the double whammy of sun from above and reflection from the snow! In Zermatt and other places that have a ski season that extends into summer, beware of the double burn zones!

7

Boracay, the Philippines

Boracay, the Philippines The outstandingly gorgeous island of Boracay in the Philippines is one of the best and most popular low latitude destinations in the world. At and around the Equator, the sun doesn’t have as far to travel to hit the ground as in northern latitudes so in real terms, places in the low latitudes receive more UV rays per minute. That means the burn rate is faster – you need to factor that into your exposure time, and the frequency you apply/reapply sunscreen.

Whenever you’re outside you should protect your skin, and the level of protection should be adjusted according to where you’re going to be. I have really fair skin and burn just when the sun catches sight of me. How about you – do you tan well – and safely, of course?

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malta????

I love this app and think many of the articles are interesting but it's often hard to take these articles seriously when there are so many typos. The Andes are the mountain range in Patagonia. Not the Andres...

Nunavut. Sun is out 24/7 during summer months. May not be the hottest but ull definitely get a burn if you don't take precautions

This list is hilarious and the writer clearly hasn't done their homework!! You haven't even listed the hottest places in the world! Joke

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