We’ve all been there. After telling ourselves SPF is for the weak, we dove headfirst into the boiling sun bath, furiously refusing any advice to put on sunscreen. It was all about getting that sun-kissed tan you’ve seen in “The Blue Lagoon.”

The next day, the painful reality hits. Please welcome your torture for the next coming days, aka the redness, the soreness, the itchiness, the swollenness, you name it. As an additional bonus, you get unsolicited comments like “I told you,” “I knew it,” and “This is what you get if…”

Bored Panda has compiled a painfully funny list full of the unfortunate ones who got too badly sunburned. And hopefully, learn from the mistakes of others, 'cause whatever you do, do not try this at home.

Warning: sun is extremely dangerous, and prolonged exposure may lead to permanent skin damage and even skin cancer. Don’t forget to always use sunscreen, and seek medical attention immediately in case you get a severe sunburn. Scroll down for our interview with Dr. Adil Sheraz, the spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, to find out more about what we should all know about sun damage.

Discover more in "Always Wear Sunscreen!": 40 People Who Failed To Do It And Ended Up Looking Like Dorks

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#1

It's More Than Just A Tan, Buddy

Close-up of feet with severe sunburn showing clear tan lines, illustrating the importance of wearing sunscreen to avoid sun damage.

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    #2

    Not "Happy". Forgot Sunscreen On My Face, And Am Waiting For An X-Ray For A Rolled Ankle. Not Happy Jan. And Not So Fun Color Run

    Person with sunburn showing "HAPPY" outline on forehead from missed sunscreen, highlighting sunscreen failure consequences and sunburn mistakes.

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    #3

    Never Sleep Outside With Cereal, Guys

    Legs with severe sunburn and unusual tan lines shaped like a spoon, showing failure to wear sunscreen properly.

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    Although sunburns may look fun, sizzling your skin under the hot summer sun is more harmful than we would like to think. In order to find out what kind of damage a sunburn can actually do to our skin, Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Adil Sheraz, a consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation.

    Dr. Sheraz explained that sunburn is predominantly caused by overexposure to UVB (ultraviolet B.) “We need to remember that UVB Is a form of radiation.”

    And although the sun has many benefits, including promoting the production of vitamin D in our skin and boosting our well-being, “it is also well known that excessive sun exposure can and does lead to skin cancers, including fatal melanoma.”
    #4

    My Friend Told Me That I Look Like A Popsicle Stick

    Person with severe sunburn and tan lines on arms and legs, illustrating the importance of always wearing sunscreen.

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    #5

    A Buddy Of Mine Seemed To Think Stick Sun Screen Was A Good Idea

    Young man with severe sunburn and sunscreen tan lines in humorous patterns on his chest and back indoors.

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    #6

    Who Needs A Farmer's Tan When You Can Get A Cavs Finals Hat Burn

    Man with severe sunburn and patterns left from hat, illustrating the importance of wearing sunscreen.

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    The dermatologist said that sunburn is not just redness, swelling, and blisters. In reality, these are the signs that the body is repairing itself from damage caused in the DNA of cells. “Over time, if too much DNA is damaged, this will often mutate into cancer-forming cells and results in either a melanoma or one of the other types of skin cancers,” he explained.

    Dr. Sheraz also said that the type and degree of sunburn will depend on many factors, including your age and skin type. “If you are younger than 6 or older than 65, then you will have a greater risk of burning.”

    Moreover, “If you have type 1 skin, i.e. blue eyes, blonde hair, and very fair skin, then you will burn quicker and will not tan before burning.”
    #7

    Baseball Mom's Yoga Pants Worked Out Just Fine

    Legs showing severe sunburn patterns after wearing fishnet leggings, illustrating the importance of sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

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    #8

    Apparently My Adam's Apple Provided Just Enough Shade To Prevent A Small Portion Of My Neck From Getting Sunburned

    Close-up of a neck with a severe sunburn showing red, irritated skin from failing to wear sunscreen properly.

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    #9

    Someone Forgot His Sunscreen

    Two young men showing sunburns caused by not wearing sunscreen, one with painted stripes and the other with red sunburn lines.

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    The majority of sunburns will result in mild pain, redness, and peeling of the skin. “This would be in keeping with a first-degree burn. This type of sunburn tends to resolve spontaneously and doesn’t require one to come into hospital or see the GP.”

    However, if you develop blistering from the sun, it would mean that the deeper layers of the skin have been affected. “This is more akin to a second-degree burn. The skin can be swollen, very painful, and, of course, bright red,” the spokesperson at the British Skin Foundation said.
    #10

    The Difference Between Tanned And Untanned From My Leg To My Foot

    Sunburn on a dark-skinned person's leg showing a clear contrast where a sock blocked the sunscreen application.

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    #11

    My Friends' First Time In The Florida Sun. Apparently It Was Also Their First Time Using A Spray-On Sunscreen

    Five people with severe sunburn patterns on their backs standing by a pool, illustrating sunscreen failure consequences.

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    #12

    Bought Some New White Fingerless Gloves

    Hand with severe sunburn and unprotected skin showing the consequences of failing to wear sunscreen properly.

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    Dr. Sheraz urges anyone who develops signs of fever, develops blisters, or feels lightheaded or confused to seek immediate medical attention.

    “Severe sunburn can lead to significant dehydration and the resulting inflammation in the skin (which is the body’s healing response) can send one into shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure and even death in extreme situations.”
    #13

    This Is Cade's Freshly Shaved Head After A Sunscreenless Few Hours Mowing A Field

    Man with severe sunburn on shaved head, showing effects of not wearing sunscreen, with swollen skin visible.

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    #14

    This Is What You Get For Wearing Those Awful Things

    Legs with severe sunburn and patterned tan lines from wearing Crocs, illustrating the importance of sunscreen.

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    #15

    What Happens When You're Super White And You Walked Around All Day In A Shirt With Cutout Squares. And This Was With Multiple Applications Of Sunscreen

    Sunburned back with square-shaped patterns showing a clear sunscreen fail and uneven sun protection.

    In hindsight, I probably should have worn a different shirt

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    Among other features of sunburn, some people may feel itching which, Dr. Sheraz explained, “is thought to be associated with the release of a chemical called bradykinin from damaged skin.”

    Even though it’s just a theory, the dermatologist said that “online sufferers have described their experiences as feeling ‘like fire ants are biting you under your skin,’ ‘wanting to rip your skin off,’ or ‘an uncontrollable itch that, when scratched, causes stabbing pain.’”
    #16

    When People Ask Me Why I Want To Sit In The Shade I Show Them These Photos

    Severe leg sunburn with clear sunscreen lines showing poor sun protection, illustrating common sunscreen failures and skin damage.

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    #17

    The Tan Of My Hand Compared To My Foot

    Hand and foot side by side on sand showing a stark sunburn contrast, highlighting the importance of wearing sunscreen.

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    #18

    Lesson Of The Day

    Side-by-side image of marbled Colby Jack cheese and sunburned legs showing the importance of sunscreen protection.

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    #19

    Currently

    Sunburned hand and arm next to pale leg, illustrating the importance of wearing sunscreen to avoid sun damage.

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    #20

    Co-Worker Shaved His Head, Then Went Golfing, And Decided To Wear A Visor

    Man with a severe sunburn on his scalp and forehead wearing glasses and a striped polo shirt after skipping sunscreen.

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    #21

    This Tomato Man Looks Nearly Fake

    Man with severe sunburn on face and neck wearing a blue shirt, illustrating consequences of not wearing sunscreen.

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    #22

    I Get This Tan Line Every Year. A Result From My Job Outside Wearing The Same Uniform Everyday. The Tan Line Lasts Through The Winter

    Person with a severe sunscreen tan line on their legs, wearing shorts, a black shirt, and a knee brace indoors.

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    #23

    My Husband's First Time Wearing Sandals Since Starting His New Asphalt Job

    Leg with a severe sunburn wearing a sandal, highlighting a common sunscreen fail causing painful skin damage.

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    #24

    My Friend Refused To Ask For Help With Putting Sunscreen On, This Is The Result

    Man showing severe sunburn with uneven tan lines on back indoors with two people in the background, illustrating sunscreen failure.

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    #25

    Potato vs. Sunburn

    Woman with glasses showing severe peeling sunburn on shoulder while holding a peeled potato, illustrating sunscreen failure.

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