Sofia Carroll had a pretty shocking realisation after she spent some time sunbathing on holiday. If you’re trying to catch a tan in Spain, there’s something you may want to know
11:34, 17 Jul 2025Updated 11:35, 17 Jul 2025
She couldn’t believe what happened to her skin (stock image)(Image: Europa Press News, Europa Press via Getty Images)
When we head off on our holidays, it’s natural to fancy catching some colour in the sun, but it’s important to be aware of the risks. However, one traveller who flew to Spain for a spot of sunshine recently got the fright of her life when she spotted something alarming had occurred to her skin.
Sofia Carroll recently posted on TikTok to reveal what befell her after spending time basking in the rays during her getaway. After inspecting her skin following a day of sunbathing, it’s safe to say she was left utterly stunned – indeed, she likely had no idea it was even possible for her skin to appear as it did.
Overlaying footage of her legs, she captioned: “How my skin feels after falling asleep in UV 10.” She’s then shown pressing her skin with her finger and you can actually hear it sizzle – and it’s not the first occasion people have been scorched in the heat.
Her skin sounds as though it’s crackling each time she touches it, leaving viewers completely astounded. When experts warn about excessive sun exposure, this footage appears to demonstrate exactly why.
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One viewer responded: “Sunscreen my girl.” To this, Sofia replied: “Mum sprayed SPF 50 all over [me] when I was snoozing. Didn’t work though.”
Another appeared to have had a similar ordeal, commenting: “You and me both girl.” The footage has been watched dozens of times since being posted.
Earlier this week, Hollie Claire, known on TikTok as hxllieclaire, shared her sunburn horror story, warning others about the dangers of not using adequate sun protection.
She emphasised that a summer tan is “not worth” the risk of damaging your skin and looking patchy, urging people to apply plenty of factor 50 sun cream.
While enjoying a poolside holiday in Greece, she confessed to falling asleep while sunbathing, resulting in her face “swelling” dramatically.
In a video clip, Hollie cautioned: “Your reminder to apply sun cream properly and not fall asleep in the sun. Watch to the end to see how my head ended up swelling.”
The NHS advises: “Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it’s cloudy.
“There’s no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects. Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.
“Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.”
During particularly hot weather, it’s recommended to stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, avoid sunburn at all costs, wear appropriate clothing and sunglasses, take extra care with children and use sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
The NHS advises against relying solely on sunscreen for sun protection, emphasising the importance of wearing appropriate clothing and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours.
When purchasing sunscreen, look for a label that includes:
- A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB
- At least 4-star UVA protection
Additionally, the NHS points out: “UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters ‘UVA’ in a circle, which indicates that it meets the EU standard. Make sure the sunscreen is not past its expiry date. Do not spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.”