In a recent candid confession on her popular talk show, “Today With Jenna & Friends,” beloved co-host Jenna Bush Hager shared a truly bizarre and unforgettable incident from her teenage years that involved a topless beach, a severe sunburn, and an alarming change in her skin color. The surprising revelation, made during a conversation with guest Leslie Bibb, served as a vivid, albeit gross, cautionary tale about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure.
The story dates back to Jenna’s high school days when she ventured to a topless beach in Spain. While the concept of liberating sunbathing might seem appealing to some, Jenna quickly learned the harsh realities of inadequate sun protection. She recounted getting an exceptionally severe sunburn on her breasts. When her stunned co-host, Leslie Bibb, inquired if her skin peeled, Jenna not only confirmed that it did but then dropped the truly shocking detail: her skin “may have turned green.”
Bibb’s reaction was one of visible shock and disbelief, exclaiming, “They turned green? Are you for real life?” Jenna calmly reiterated the unsettling truth, even describing it as “the opposite of the color wheel.” The anecdote sent a ripple of audible gasps and groans from the studio audience, highlighting the truly unusual nature of her experience. Jenna herself admitted the ordeal was “gross” and that she wished her younger self had been more careful about tanning.
Dermatological experts, when consulted about such a severe and unusual reaction, offered potential explanations for the perplexing green hue. While typical sunburn symptoms include painful redness, blistering, swelling, and eventual peeling, a green discoloration could signify something more serious. One leading theory suggests a possible secondary bacterial infection, such as impetigo. This common and contagious bacterial skin infection can lead to the formation of yellowish-green crusts, which would account for the color change Jenna described. Such infections often require antibiotic treatment, either topical or systemic, depending on their severity.
Jenna Bush Hager used her extraordinary and somewhat gruesome personal story to deliver a vital public health message. She passionately urged viewers to prioritize sun protection, especially when they are young, and to regularly get their skin checked by a dermatologist. She openly shared that her own experience has led to “years of sun damage” and that she no longer actively “lays out” in the sun. The unforgettable incident has served as a permanent reminder of the critical importance of sunscreen and covering up to prevent irreversible skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form. Jenna’s shocking tale underscored that while sunbathing might seem appealing, the consequences of unprotected exposure can be far more extreme and disturbing than a simple red burn.