My mum didn't recognise me after holiday horror sunburn, I looked like E.T – I thought it would turn into a nice tan
A WOMAN'S holiday turned into a nightmare when sunburn made her face so swollen, her own mum didn't recognise her.
Ashlei Bianchi said she looked like E.T. after disaster struck two days into her trip to the
Advertisement
8
Ashlei Bianchi headed to Punta Cana for a family holiday before disaster striked
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
8
She ended up getting sunburnt on her face but didn't think anything of it
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
8
By evening, things had taken a scary turn when she noticed her forehead and head had swollen
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
The 23-year-old had spent the afternoon soaking up the Punta Cana sun while relaxing with her family around the
pool
.
But by evening, things had taken a scary turn when she noticed her forehead and head had swollen.
Despite using suncream, the New York native thought she had just suffered a mild reaction to the sun.
The children's hospital assistant says she wiped her face with an aloe
vera
gel and carried on with her trip.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON TANNING
But things quickly went downhill when Ashlei woke up on the final morning of
the holiday
to find one of her eyes had swollen shut.
By the end of the four-day trip, Ashlei's face had become so puffy that even her own mum, Michelle Bianchi, 52,
Other family members also joked that she looked like alien E.T.
On the way to the airport, Ashlei feared her drastically changed appearance meant she wouldn't be able to get through customs.
Advertisement
Most read in Fabulous
'I did use sunscreen, but I still got a little red, which was going to happen either way since I'm not used to the sun down there, and we were in the pool all day,' she told
'I FaceTimed my mom, and she said I didn't even look like myself, then the family I went with said I looked like E.T.
I got a very awkward sunburn after using 'the 'best sunscreen ever' - I learned a lesson about the wrong way to apply it
'My face started getting worse, and that's when the swelling on and under my eyes happened.
'It was definitely a mixture of just laying out and being by the resort all day.
Advertisement
'One of the pools barely had any shade, so I was more exposed to the rays.
'I had to go on my flight and go through customs looking not like myself, and I was scared I wasn't going to be able to get back home. I'm so thankful I made it through.
My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist
Ashlei Bianchi
'I wore my sunglasses the whole trip home, even when it was dark out, because I was so embarrassed.'
Desperate to find relief, Ashlei stopped at a pharmacy at the Dominican airport and bought anti-inflammatory medication.
Advertisement
She also reached out to her doctor, who prescribed her an oral steroid - but she couldn't start treatment until she landed back in the States on March 25.
Once home, it took four days of steroids for her face to finally return to normal.
Sun poisoning
Ashlei said: 'It wasn't painful, just more uncomfortable.
'It hurt when I had to close my eyes all the way.
Advertisement
'When I went to the pharmacy, the lady working had wide eyes and went, 'Oh my.'
'Then, when I went through customs in Boston, the guy was like, 'Too much sun?' and I was like, 'Yep!'
8
Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
8
Ashlei learned that she had suffered from sun poisoning
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
Advertisement
8
Her family members also joked that she looked like alien E.T
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
'I wore my sunglasses on both my flights and throughout the airport even when it was dark.'
Ashlei says she later learned she had suffered from sun poisoning.
She said: 'My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist.
Advertisement
'She said it was sun poisoning, so that's what I have been telling people it is.'
I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else
Ashlei Bianchi
Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen.
She said: 'I would say the dangers of sun exposure are real.
'I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else.
Advertisement
'I had no symptoms besides swelling.
8
She had no symptoms besides swelling
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
8
The incident happened just two days into her trip to the Dominican Republic
Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi
'It's very important to use your sunscreen and wear hats. I think that's where I went wrong.
Advertisement
'I really should have had something besides sunscreen protecting my face.
'But all in all, the sun is no joke, especially in the Caribbean where it's much more potent.'
The Importance of SPF
WITH summer finally here, here's everything you need to know about SPF.
1. Protects Against UV Radiation:
SPF shields your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, specifically UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.
2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer:
Regular use of SPF can significantly lower the risk of developing various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
3. Prevents Premature Aging:
UV exposure accelerates the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. SPF helps maintain youthful skin by blocking these aging effects.
4. Maintains Even Skin Tone:
Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Using SPF regularly can help prevent these issues, leading to a more even and radiant complexion.
5. Essential for All Skin Types:
Regardless of skin type or tone, everyone is susceptible to UV damage. SPF is crucial for all skin types to maintain healthy skin and prevent damage.
6. Everyday Necessity:
UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, making daily SPF application essential, even on cloudy days or when indoors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘YOU are the problem!' holidaymaker slammed as she says it's ‘normal' to bagsy sunbeds before breakfast & hog best spots
A BRITISH tourist has defended putting towels on sunbeds while nipping for breakfast on holiday. Rachel McGuigan and her husband David enjoyed a plush vacation in Turkey . Advertisement 7 Rachel and David McGuigan recently opened up about their sunbed strategy on their recent Turkey holiday Credit: Jam Press 7 They reserve sunbeds before breakfast right by the pool Credit: Jam Press 7 People were quick to chime in with their annoyance Credit: Jam Press The couple, who work for a water gardening company, were holidaying with their friends Adam and Hayley. They stayed at The Residence Hotel in the resort of Fethiye, west of Antalya. But she divided opinion after they put their towels on their poolside beds for half an hour while they went for their morning meal. She got angry reactions from some holidaymakers. Advertisement More on holidays One person said said: 'I just remove them, if full. 'I don't care and the hotel doesn't care.' Another added: 'Just throw the towels in the pool . 'It's not allowed to do this in most hotels and resorts.' Advertisement Most read in Fabulous But one social media user said: 'I don't understand. 'I thought it was normal to get up, grab your towels, pop them on your bed then go for breakfast.' Fuming holidaymakers foil fellow Brits sneaky plans to secure sunbeds seven hours before hotel pool opens 'I just thought it was crazy that people were so upset about leaving a towel for half an hour to go for breakfast,' Rachel shared. 'They accused me of being selfish and all sorts.' Advertisement Rachel, of York, then posted about it on her 'Holidays & Hangovers' TikTok page. She then decided to stoke the fires further by posting a joke one of her leaving towels at 5.30am to go on a series of fake excursions that lasted until bedtime. 7 Rachel said she 'thought it was normal to get up, grab your towels, pop them on your bed then go for breakfast' Credit: Jam Press 7 They stayed at The Residence Hotel in the resort of Fethiye, west of Antalya Credit: Jam Press Advertisement The punchline was that they never got to spend a minute on the sunbeds they reserved at dawn. In the footage, she shared a screenshot of an angry user's message that read: 'Really annoys me that people put towels on sunbeds then go away somewhere? 'Why? Everyone wants to enjoy their holiday.' Rachel captioned her clip: 'Fine, you've all caught me out, this is how our day really looked…' Advertisement However, many furious Brits took the joke literally and flooded her comments section for a second time. 7 Rachel said she has been accused of being 'selfish' Credit: Jam Press One riled tourist said: 'So you reserved the beds and didn't use them but wouldn't let anyone else use them? Have you ever thought that you may be the problem?' Another raged: 'You go on holiday for a rest but end up getting up early like you do at home just to put towels out. Hotels are not for me, that's why I Airbnb , not having a go, just saying.' Advertisement 'The most council estate thing ever!' said a third. And one remarked: 'Some people ain't getting the joke, love it!' After managing to rile a few feathers, Rachel explained: 'After the first time, I thought it would be funny to play up to it. 'It was a joke and I didn't expect anyone to take it seriously, but I ended up opening a can of worms about sunbed reservations!' Advertisement 7 Rachel has sparked a debate online with her holiday habits Credit: Jam Press She added: 'We went to The Residence in Fethiye for two weeks in May for the second year running. 'There wasn't a lack of sunbeds so putting our towels down before going for breakfast wasn't an issue for anyone. 'I was surprised with everyone commenting about it.' Advertisement Rachel admitted it can be 'annoying' when some tourists leave their towels on sunbeds 'for hours on end'. But she doesn't see it as a problem if it's 'only for half an hour and someone stays with them'. Experts weigh in on whether you should reserve your sunbed with a towel on holiday EVERY summer, hotels become the sites of frantic battles, as guests try to reserve the best loungers with their towels first thing in the morning. But etiquette and "Unless the hotel has a reservation system in place, only occupy the sunbeds when you're staying by the pool." Renowned etiquette expert, , believes there is a 30-minute grace period on poolside reservations. This is where William told the Sun Online Travel: "In the morning, at the start of the day, and you're by the pool after breakfast, then it's fine at 8.30 to put your towel on the bed to reserve your spot. "But later on in the day after you've used the lounger, and go off for a massage, for example, which is going to be an hour, then you can't use a towel to reserve the sun lounger." If you're grabbing some grub at lunchtime, William said He said: "It also gives your towel time to dry off." William said despite the grace period, "You can't hog the sun lounger for the entire day." Meanwhile, She told the Sun Online Travel: "I think it should be a first come first serve basis - if the resort doesn't have a booking system."
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
We bought a huge 3-bed home in Bulgaria without viewing for £25k, we've quit the UK with our kids, every day's a holiday
BUYING a home can be expensive in the UK - and one couple decided to think outside the box. TikTok users RenovateBulgariaWithUs shared how they managed to snap up a huge three-bedroom house in the European country for just £25,000. 2 A British family have shared how they bought a home spontaneously in Bulgaria for £25,000 Credit: 2 The couple have been sharing their renovation story on TikTok Credit: Relocating from the UK with their kids, they have now set about turning it into their The large family pad needed quite a bit of work to it, and they have been updating following with their renovation journey. On their They wrote: 'We bought this three-bedroom house in Bulgaria without viewing on a spontaneous Wednesday afternoon. More on homes 'Three bedrooms, half an acre of land, outbuildings.' One of the first jobs they tackled when they moved in was adding a working toilet to the bathroom, as it didn't have one. Thankfully they did have a working shower and sink to get them started. They've also replaced the windows, laid a new stylish floor and added a fire, which looked perfect for winter. Most read in Fabulous The couple shared how they have decked out the house with bargain furniture that they have upcycled to make them look stylish. This included £15 chairs and a £15 dresser. I fled the UK for sunny Dubai - life back home is miserable & no-one has any cash Given the national average house price in the UK was reported at £264,500 in 2024, the family's As well as managing to snap up a cheap property, the couple shared how living costs are less in Bulgaria too. The mum wrote: 'You pay a tax yearly, like council tax, which is around £45. 'Then there is water and electric to pay, costs are very low compared to UK.' While the renovation appears to be a large project, the family have been taking advantage of a nearby pool and stunning lakes and hikes. And thankfully the kids are said to love their new home, with the mum saying: 'It's lovely.' Many people were impressed with their DIY renovation, with one saying: 'amazing house.' Another added: 'Everything you've done so far looks incredible!' A third commented: 'What a life.' Why you should consider visiting Bulgaria BULGARIA has been described as a "fabulous family-friendly holiday destination Holidays this summer are still available from £910 for a family of three - which works out at £303pp, including flights. The Balkan country is well-known for its affordable holidays and stunning Black Sea coastline, with The affordable resorts are packed with activities, restaurants, beaches and hotels. But those looking for a more tranquil holiday should also consider lesser-known spots like Regardless of where you go, Jet2holidays says you should find "unbeatable value," with many free sights to visit and cheap places to eat and drink. This is also backed up by this year's Post Office Holiday Money Report, which shows Bulgaria in seventh place in the holiday cost barometer. According to the study, a three-course evening meal for 2 (including a bottle of house wine) costs around £39. Meanwhile, a cup of coffee should cost £1.83; bottles of local beer and soft drinks are also available for just under £2.
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
We're swingers, people think it's all fun and games, but it's so expensive and there are loads of rules to follow
MANY people see swinging as a free-for-all where you can do whatever you want between the sheets with whoever you want. But Belle and Jase, who have been swinging for years, reveal swinging isn't all fun and games. Advertisement 2 Belle and Jase have been swinging for years Credit: Instagram/@heyjaseb 2 But they say the lifestyle isn't all fun and games Credit: Instagram/@ Taking to social media, the US couple gave a glimpse as to what full-time swinging is really like. The couple say they have dabbled in swinging house parties, cruises and even hotel takeovers. And while on these sex excursions, the couple have found it has some downsides. Taking to their podcast 4ourplay, Jase asked Belle: "What is one downside to swinging?" Advertisement And Belle didn't hold back as she revealed the lifestyle was very pricey. She said: "I think a lot of people don't know that it's super expensive to be in this type of lifestyle. "So not only going to the clubs, having to pay membership to be a part of it and paying door fees to get in, that's just to a club. Hotel takeovers are really expensive." Jase added: "If you're going to try a vacation, it's like way more expensive than a normal vacation because of the type of activities that they allow there and how they have to charter the whole thing out." Advertisement Most read in Fabulous They also said dressing up for the events can quickly add up as well as keeping groomed. The couple also revealed that there were lots of boundaries and rules put in place for swinging. I'm a Mormon wife and 'soft swinger' but I fear being thrown out of the church The two have their own set of rules and Belle revealed a few they keep to when sleeping with other people. She said protection was an absolute must, and that the pair never go off on their own, preferring to stay together while they 'play'. Advertisement And when they are playing with others, the two have vowed not to get too 'intimate' and refuse to cuddle with the people they have intercourse with. Jase added: "We don't do any intimate cuddling like that. That personally feels too intimate for us and we don't do any pictures, videos during the play sessions." What is Swinging? SWINGING, also known as partner swapping, is a sexual activity where partners in a committed relationship engage in sexual activities with other people. All parties involved must give explicit and enthusiastic consent. Open and honest communication between partners is crucial. Many swingers engage with a community or attend events specifically for swinging. Such activity can enhance intimacy and trust within the primary relationship. It provides an opportunity to explore sexual fantasies and desires. But it is not suitable for every relationship and requires a strong foundation of trust. Jealousy and emotional challenges may arise and need to be managed. Clips of the podcast have gone viral on its TikTok account @ People were quick to share their thoughts on swinging. Advertisement One person wrote: "Omg I thought I was the only one who thought this. I'm a unicorn and WHEWWWW swinging alone is expensive as hell." Another commented: 'It CAN be expensive, but you don't have to be rich." "Yes, it is but it's totally worth it," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "Sooooo expensive." Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Someone else added: 'Seriously... It adds up." Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@ and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line .
