Nothing ruins a relaxing beach vacation like a bad sunburn. You spend all day by the beach in search of that bronzed-goddess look only to wake up the next day looking more like a lobster. Here are some tips on how to treat a sunburn and get skin back to normal as quickly (and painlessly) as possible.
1) Avoid the sun, this is imperative. While skin is red and burning, going outside in the sun will only make burned skin feel worse. It’s best to opt for a cool shaded area or somewhere with A/C for the time being to avoid any more exposure.
2) Drink plenty of water - hydration is of paramount importance. Getting a sunburn can leave you at a greater risk of dehydration, so your body's fluids need plenty of replacing. Be sure to drink lots of water and try to steer clear of alcohol which can have dehydrating effects.
3) Pain relievers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) are recommended pain relievers to deal with that painful sunburn, they can also help to bring down any swelling. Lidocaine or Benzocaine can also be administered topically to the sunburn for pain relief, you should apply them liberally to the burn.
4) Cool baths. This is perhaps one of the quickest ways to find relief from the burning. It helps by drawing out some of the heat from the sunburn. For bonus itching relief try adding some oatmeal which will soothe the affected skin.
5) Aloe vera. This skin cooling plant extract has antibacterial properties and lubricants which speed up the healing process. I prefer to keep mine in the fridge for added cooling effect. Keep reapplying every few hours for a few days after you get burnt. Aloe Vera comes in the form of a jelly-like green substance that can be found at the drugstore, make sure it is one of the first ingredients on the list to ensure a greater content of aloe.
6) Moisturizing lotion - dehydrated skin needs moisture too, so opt for a light moisturizing lotion that contains cooling ingredients like aloe vera or cucumber. Be sure to steer clear of anything heavy or petroleum-based which can keep trap heat inside making the sunburn effects last longer.
Lastly you can use a cold wash cloth on the effected area, which might help you sleep better. And opt for loosely fitted clothing which will help skin to breathe and let the heat out. And resist the urge to peel skin - this may reveal raw tender new skin that isn’t quite ready to be exposed causing a lot of pain and discomfort.
For next time: don’t forget to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun, this will allow it to soak in. Have someone help you apply it to hard to reach areas such as the shoulder and back areas, and don’t forget to reapply every couple hours especially if you go in the water or sweat a lot. Sunglasses, hats, and cute cover-ups are also a good idea to avoid feeling the burn. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation as little as 2 sunburns can double your risk for skin cancer later in life so seek the shade, especially between the hours 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. when the suns rays are at their strongest.
