You probably already know that it's important to practice good sun protection habits. But if you do get burned (it happens!), here are some steps you can take to speed up the healing process and relieve the pain. Keep reading for our guide on how to treat a sunburn.
- 1. As soon as you notice that you’re burning, get out of the sun! Seek shade or move indoors. Burns develop over the course of several hours or even days. So if you notice your skin turning even slightly pink, it’s time to take cover.
- 2. Instead of a hot shower, opt for a lukewarm bath. The milder temperature will soothe your burned skin. Adding a small amount of baking soda to the water will also help to relieve the sting.
- 3. After bathing, apply aloe vera gel to the sunburn. Aloe calms singed skin and provides much-needed hydration. While fresh aloe vera works best, the gel form also works as long as it’s 100% aloe vera.
- 4. Apply cold compresses to ease the pain. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply to the affected area for cooling relief.
- 5. Drink plenty of water. Spending time in the sun can leave you dehydrated, so restoring your hydration levels can help to repair your skin. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which will lead to further dehydration.
- 6. If your burn peels, don’t touch it! Hydrate the area with a heavy-duty moisturizer like Hydrating-Vita Cream. This soothing cream is packed with skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera to encourage healing, which is why we think it’s the best moisturizer after sun exposure.
- 7. When outdoors, protect your sunburn from further damage by wearing clothing that covers the affected area. Stick to the shade whenever possible.
- 8. If your face is sunburned, cut out any active ingredients from your skincare routine, since heavy duty anti-aging ingredients like retinoids will only irritate your skin. Stick to a gentle cleanser and deeply hydrating moisturizer until your skin heals.
Though sunburns generally heal within a week, they can result in long-lasting damage to the skin. To avoid sunburns in the future, liberally apply sunscreen to any exposed of your skin and reapply after every two hours in the sun.
