# Sunburn quicker on land or in the pool?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunburn-quicker-on-land-or-in-the-pool/499304>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 10, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunburn-quicker-on-land-or-in-the-pool/499304 "2009-06-10T04:53:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunburn-quicker-on-land-or-in-the-pool/499304/1 "2009-06-10T04:53:00Z")

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Probably a dumb question, but since summer weather is finally upon us in the Northeast it seemed like a good time to ask.

I know water normally reflects UV rays. In a crystal clear community pool, does the water refract the light enough that it actually amplifies it?

I know as a kid I had plenty of sunburn on my back, but was never sure if it was running around shirtless or if it the the sun beating my back while I was swimming.

(Let’s assume no sun lotion, so waterproof sunblock would make no difference.)

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**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunburn-quicker-on-land-or-in-the-pool/499304/2 "2009-06-10T06:58:45Z")

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The pool water does not **amplify** the sunlight, it just reflects it. So in or around a pool, you are getting the direct sunlight from the sky _plus_ the reflected sunlight from the water. Thus more sunlight, and therefor faster sunburning around a pool. There are some white-sand beaches that are even worse: direct sunlight from the sky, reflected sunlight from the water, and even reflected sunlight from the white sand.

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**Author:** ![yelimS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/54ee81/32.png) [@yelimS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yelimS)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunburn-quicker-on-land-or-in-the-pool/499304/3 "2009-06-10T10:24:36Z")

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Slight highjack: What about salt water? I’ve heard there is a connection between this and tanning.

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**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunburn-quicker-on-land-or-in-the-pool/499304/4 "2009-06-10T15:43:25Z")

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I noticed for myself, water will make you tan quicker (and burn quicker) and also it will give you a more even tan. The sides of you will tan even with the rest of you.

Sand is even better for getting an even tan. If I lay directly on the sand I will tan even all over.

I don’t know why, I just assumed it was the reflectiveness of sand and water. I’ve lived in Florida and in Chicago (where you have the huge Lake Michigan) and I’ve not noticed the difference between salt and fresh water.

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**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunburn-quicker-on-land-or-in-the-pool/499304/5 "2009-06-10T15:55:17Z")

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> [@Markxxx](#):
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> If I lay directly on the sand I will tan even all over.

Surely you aren’t claiming that body parts not exposed to the sun (e.g. your stomach, when lying face down) will tan?