Sunburn causes damage to the skin’s outermost layers. It’s an inflammatory reaction to being exposed to too much UV radiation from the sun. It can cause reddening, inflammation, blistering, and peeling in severe cases. Peeling indicates that your body is attempting to shed damaged skin cells. If you expose your skin to too much sunlight without adequate protection from sunscreen and clothing, it can burn. It is critical to begin treating sunburn as soon as you notice it in order to help heal and soothe stinging skin.
What exactly causes sunburn?
You may already be aware of this, but let me remind you: When your skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, it burns to a crisp, even those slightly pink and/or tender blotches on your shoulders and chest constitutes sunburn.
How long will sunburn last?
Every sunburn is different, but severe sunburns can take several days or even a week to heal. Some sunburn will fade into a tan if you have naturally built up some melanin, a pigment in your skin that increases with UV stimulation.
Sunburn Treatment
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to make your sunburn magically disappears, but you can treat it with methods that may reduce both the redness and your pain.
How to quickly remove sunburn from your face and body
1. Take a refreshing bath or shower.
Keep the temperature low and apply moisturizer as soon as you step outside. The cool H20 may help relieve pain and inflammation caused by sunburn, while the lotion will help trap moisture and make your skin feel and look less dry, avoiding harsh soaps, which can irritate the skin even more.
2. Apply aloe vera gel
There’s a reason it’s the most popular after-sun product. Pure aloe vera gel, whether from a bottle or from the plant, has cooling and soothing properties. it may also help with wound healing. In addition, anti-inflammatory properties of the aloe plant have been demonstrated in test tube studies.
3. Apply an ice pack or compress to the affected area
Wrap ice in a cloth before putting it on your skin, or soak a washcloth in cold water or milk and apply it to the burn. Milk’s vitamins and antioxidants can aid in skin healing.
4. Get plenty of water.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunburn draws fluid to the skin and away from the rest of the body. Rehydrate by drinking plenty of water or an electrolyte-containing low-sugar drink.
5. Avoid popping any blisters.
Severe and widespread blisters should be treated by a doctor, but if you get a few, leave them alone. According to the AAD, opening them up exposes them to infection. If the blisters pop on their own, recommend cleaning the open wound with mild soap and water and covering it with antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
6. Guard against further damage.
If you must go outside again, wear skin-covering clothing and stay in the shade. Don’t forget to apply plenty of sunscreens — at least a shot glass full for the entire body. It’s critical to use SPF on the burn to avoid exacerbating the situation!
7. Look into over-the-counter medications.
If you look in the right places, the pharmacy aisles can also help with the healing process:
Take aspirin or ibuprofen: Advil, an over-the-counter pain reliever, can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Apply a hydrocortisone cream: A mild topical steroid such as Cortizone-10 may hasten to heal.
8. Avoid products that trap heat.
Some products you may be tempted to use on your skin can aggravate the situation by trapping heat in. That’s not good. As a result, the SCF advises against using oil-based lotions or petroleum products.
Also, avoid topical anesthetics.
Products like benzocaine — in fact, any product ending in should be avoided right now because they can irritate the skin even more.
10. Vary your skincare routine.
It’s best to forego some of your usual skincare routines for the time being. Exfoliates and scrubs will only aggravate the pain and may cause further damage to your skin, as well as toners. If you are taking acne medication, you should talk to your doctor about whether it’s a good idea to take a break.
11. Continue moisturizing.
Applying lotion to the sunburned area for the next few days to help keep the burned or peeling skin moist.
12. Think about taking an oatmeal bath.
Adding colloidal oatmeal to your bath water relieves the pain of sunburn; it is known to reduce inflammation. Simply take a break, and lie down.
13. Alternatively, add baking soda to the bath.
A baking soda bath may also help; it also has antibacterial properties and has been shown in studies to reduce itchiness. Try soaking in a lukewarm bath with a half cup of baking soda.
When should you seek medical attention for sunburn relief?
If you have blisters covering a large area of your body, have a fever or chills, or feel loopy or confused, seek medical attention. If your sunburn is spreading, this could be a sign of infection, and you should see your doctor right away.
How to Avoid Sunburn
Shop these favorite sunscreens and keep bottles in your beach bag, purse, and other key places to prepare for your next outing in the sun. Then don’t forget to use it frequently! Many people are unaware of how much or how frequently they should use it.
We suggest reapplying sunscreen every two hours or sooner if you are sweating profusely or swimming. So don’t cut corners!
Expert-Recommended Sunscreens for 2022
While tried-and-true favorites, there is a slew of new formulas for summer 2022. From sheer serums to glow-tinted lotions, even the most averse to sunscreen will find something to love here. Continue reading to learn about the best new sunscreens for this summer and beyond.
Premium Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Never forget your sunscreen again with this handy bottle, which can be conveniently clipped onto your beach bag, backpack, or diaper bag and contains a mineral lotion that is safe for the entire family to use.
You are sunshine Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
Consider this new tinted sunscreen if you want a gentle mineral formula with a high SPF. It contains calming ingredients such as green tea and blends in to act as a primer.
Daily Protective Moisturizer SPF 30
To soften skin and soothe irritation, this ultra-moisturizing formula contains coconut alkanes and green tea. When first applied, it may have a slight white cast, especially on darker skin tones.
Original Glow SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
When you wear this new Sun Bum sunscreen with a pretty sheen and a dose of vitamin C from Kakadu Plum, you might be able to skip the bronzer.