Sunburn is skin damage caused by the sun, making it hot and painful to the touch. With proper care, your skin can recover in a few days. This material is based on recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
How to Recognize Sunburn
- Your skin turns red;
- Your skin feels hot;
- Touching it causes pain or discomfort, and it may also itch severely;
- Your skin peels or blisters – this usually happens a few days later.
How to Care for Sunburned Skin
• Get out of the sun as soon as possible and avoid exposing the affected areas to sunlight until they fully heal;
• Cool Your Skin
Sunburn is a thermal injury. Reduce it and ease discomfort with a cool shower. If the affected area is small, apply a damp towel soaked in cool water. Avoid using ice, as it can worsen the damage;
• Use Gentle Moisturizing and Soothing Products
These will help calm your skin and replenish its moisture. Look for ingredients like calamine, panthenol, bisabolol, allantoin, and aloe vera. It’s best to apply these products immediately after a cool bath or compress while your skin is still damp and cool;
• Take an Oatmeal Bath
This refers to the beneficial properties of colloidal oatmeal, used in dermatology to treat eczema-prone skin due to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. For the bath, take a cup of whole oats – the kind that takes 20 minutes to cook. Blend them into a powder and mix it into warm water until it turns milky. Soak for 10-15 minutes, then gently pat your skin dry and apply a soothing product.
Additional Tips
• Stay Hydrated
Sunburn can easily lead to heat stroke and dehydration, so cool drinks are a good idea. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular water intake is almost always sufficient for rehydration;
• Relieve Pain
If the burn is causing significant discomfort, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Cool compresses can also help relieve itching. If they are ineffective, consult a doctor for antihistamines;
• Wear Loose, Soft Clothing
This will reduce irritation and minimize pain.
Here are some products for skin regeneration after sunburn:
• Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel
• Eucerin Skin Calming Body Lotion
• Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray
• Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask
• COOLA Radical Recovery After Sun Lotion
Important: If you are sunburned, do not apply petroleum jelly, oils, or ointments. Occlusives can create a “greenhouse” effect and worsen the burn injury. Avoid topical products with –caine ingredients: lidocaine and benzocaine. These pain-relieving substances can further irritate the skin. Do not apply ice to the damaged skin. This is another extreme that can be as much of a shock to the skin cells as excessive heat exposure.
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