So, we all know the risks of sunburn and admittedly prevention is key, but we’re not perfect. No matter how much sunscreen you slather all over your body there’s always a patch that turns luminous red (and you were SO careful too!). When the damage is done and your skin feels like it’s on fire, here are a few tips to help soothe sunburn and provide you with the best chance of a speedy recovery.
I mean, duh. It seems like an obvious one but you’ll be surprised at how many people remain in direct sunlight even after they get sunburned because they think it won’t make any difference. It does. The American Academy of Dermatology says that as soon as you start to notice the unmistakable pink patches forming on your skin you should get the heck out of the sun. Avoid direct sun exposure until your sunburn is healed even if it does mean wearing more maxi dresses than bikinis for the rest of your holiday.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you act fast to cool the sunburn down by jumping in a cold bath or shower. It will instantly soothe your flaming skin. You can also add a cool wet flannel to the sunburned area for ten to fifteen minutes a few times a day, but whatever you do don’t put ice on it however tempted you might be. Ice can actually cause a cold burn on top of your sunburn as if there weren’t enough burns already!
Take care to pat yourself lightly rather than rub your body when you dry yourself so as not to aggravate the burn. In fact, it’s better to air dry because there’s no chance of irritation and it will ease the dryness in your skin.
Moisturising the sunburn fresh out of the shower helps to lock in water and prevent the skin from becoming dry. Aloe vera is after sun care royalty and it has been used for thousands of years to treat moderate to mild burns. It has a cooling effect on the skin and it’s also anti-inflammatory, so get yourself an aloe vera lotion or simply use the gel straight from the leaf!
Avoid ointments that are oil or petroleum based, and don’t use anything with benzocaine or lidocaine as they trap heat in the skin (the last thing you want!) and can cause further irritation and dryness.
The NHS suggests that to soothe a sunburn you should drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration. Burns draw fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of your body. Drink water and sports drinks rich in electrolytes to replenish your body as your skin heals. Your sunburn will be soothed much quicker when your skin and body are well-hydrated.
If you want to soothe a sunburn don’t, for obvious reasons, wear tight clothing over it because it will rub painfully against it. Also, synthetic material can cause more irritation on top of what you’re already dealing with. Wear loose fitting clothing that allows your burn to breathe.
To get the best protection when you’re out in the sun, wear clothing with tightly woven fabric to protect your body from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The best way to find out if your clothing is doing the job is by holding it up to the light and seeing if it shines through. The best option is to kit yourself out in UV protection clothing. Shops like The North Face usually have them, just look for “UPF” on the label.
You should seek immediate medical help if a baby or young child has been sunburned. You should also go for a check-up if large patches of your body have blisters and swellings, or if you have fever, chills or feel woozy and confused. It could be a sign of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which could be potentially very serious. Don’t scratch any blisters because they can become infected and the skin will take longer to heal.
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