The result is hot, red and even blistered and peeling skin.
Sunburns can be painful and damaging to your skin, while also increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging, so it’s important to do your best to avoid them.
When you can, seek shade, and wear sun-protective clothing — such as long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing.
“No matter your skin tone, you can get a sunburn if you are outside without proper protection,” explains Veena Vanchinathan, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It’s important to practice safe sun because both tanning and sunburning harms your skin. If you repeatedly experience sunburns, your skin will become more damaged over time.”
But what if it’s too late?
How to treat a sunburn
If you do get a sunburn, the first step to treating it is to get indoors and out of the sun.
Once indoors, Dr. Vanchinathan and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend following these tips to help relieve your sunburn:
- Take cool baths or showers to help relieve any pain. Afterward, gently pat your skin dry.
- Soothe your sunburn by applying moisturiser containing aloe vera or soy while your skin is still damp and whenever you feel discomfort. You can also apply calamine lotion, place a cool, damp washcloth on the affected area, or take a colloidal oatmeal bath. Another option is to try a cooling after-sun product.
- Take aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce swelling and discomfort from your sunburn.
- Drink extra water, as having a sunburn can make you dehydrated.
- Do not pop sunburn blisters. A blister means you have a second-degree sunburn. Allowing blisters to heal — instead of popping them — protects you from infection. Keep blisters clean and apply petroleum jelly to protect them while they heal.
If your sunburn gets worse, see a doctor or a dermatologist. Signs of a worsening sunburn that requires medical attention include high fever, chills, or nausea, or pus or swelling of the skin, a potential sign of a skin infection.
“While a sunburn is often treatable at home, symptoms occasionally require additional attention by a board-certified dermatologist,” said Dr. Vanchinathan. “Not only are we able to help make you more comfortable, it’s also a great time for your dermatologist to check you for signs of skin cancer.”
