It is not easy to quickly cure the pain and irritation caused by a bad sunburn. The best thing to do to reduce severe redness is to heal and camouflage the skin, relieve discomfort with the necessary dressings, refresh the affected area and resort to other remedies. Avoid getting burned the next time you want to tan by protecting your skin with sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and paying attention to your body's reactions.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Heal and Camouflage the Sunburn
Step 1. Drink lots of water
If you have sunburn, try drinking at least 10 glasses of water a day for a week. In this way, you will help the body to rehydrate and, consequently, to heal the wound. Furthermore, by drinking water when you expose yourself to the sun, you will avoid heat stroke and the onset of other ailments related to high temperatures.
At the same time, do not consume alcohol during the healing period, otherwise the body will dehydrate and the skin will tend to dry out further
Step 2. Apply aloe vera
It is the traditional remedy for burns. When applied correctly, the gel contained in this plant possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties that can speed up the healing process. You can buy an aloe-based product, but if you have the possibility, you should use the gel by extracting it directly from the plant.
- To make the gel, cut off a leaf. Cut it lengthwise, open it and collect the gel using a spoon or finger. Apply it to the skin 2-3 times a day.
- For added relief, you could also fill an ice cube tray with gel and freeze it, resulting in aloe vera cubes to apply to the burn. Wrap them in a thin towel before putting them in contact with your skin. You can also apply the gel on your face by making a mask to keep all night.
Step 3. Make a baking soda paste
Get a small bowl and mix equal parts baking soda and cornstarch. Add a little fresh water until you get a mixture of the right consistency to be spread on the skin. These two ingredients can slightly reduce the redness caused by sunburn. Rinse and reuse the paste when you feel the need to soothe your skin.
Step 4. Use witch hazel
Use the leaves and bark of the witch hazel plant for medicinal purposes. The "tannins" contained within can keep bacteria away and promote healing. Buy a vial of witch hazel extract from a herbal medicine store. Use a cotton ball to apply it to the skin.
Step 5. Apply apple cider vinegar to the affected area
Try pouring it into a bottle and sprinkling it directly onto your skin to relieve the discomfort of sunburn. Alternatively, soak a cotton ball and place it on the skin. Vinegar is a known anti-inflammatory that can speed up the healing process.
Be aware that some people are allergic to apple cider vinegar. Then, consider applying a small amount to the back of your hand, onto a cotton ball, before using it on the burn. In this way, you will be able to observe the reaction of your body in small proportions so as to rule out any side effects
Step 6. Apply a few slices of potato to the burn
Many naturopaths recommend using potatoes to reduce pain and inflammation. Therefore, take a potato and with a knife cut it into thin slices to place on the burn area. Turn them around until you feel some relief.
- You can also dice it or chop it up and put it in a blender. Blend it into a paste that can be applied to the skin (being careful not to throw out the juice).
- Make sure you wash it well before slicing or dicing it.
Step 7. Apply yogurt with live bacterial cultures
It is a less effective remedy but, if nothing else, the cold temperature can help to relieve the burning. Buy a pot of yogurt with probiotics and apply a light layer of it to the burned area with a cotton ball. Leave it on for about 5 minutes before removing it with a clean, damp cloth.
Step 8. Wear light, dark clothing
Lightweight cotton clothing that does not stick to the body is the best choice during the healing period, as it allows the skin to breathe, prevents fluid stagnation and reduces the risk of infections. Choose them in a dark color because they draw less attention to the sunburn. Avoid light and bright colors, otherwise they will create a contrast with the red area, making it more noticeable.
Step 9. Use make-up to cover up the redness
To lessen the redness, apply a green primer to the burn area. Do not use blush as it could emphasize the sunburn even more. However, don't overdo it, or else you risk irritating your skin further.
Method 2 of 3: Decrease the Pain and Discomfort
Step 1. Take pain relieving medication
Once out of the sun, take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin. To start the healing process, take the maximum recommended dose at least during the first 24 hours. Continue until the discomfort caused by the sunburn subsides.
- Regardless of the severity of the pain, it is essential to follow the instructions regarding the dosage of the drug. An overdose could cause serious injury, including liver damage. Read the package leaflet carefully to know the quantity and frequency of intake.
- Also, learn about any side effects and drug interactions. You will find them listed in the package insert or try to contact your doctor to dispel any doubts. For example, people with bleeding are often advised to avoid aspirin.
- You can also take a small bowl, dip in an aspirin tablet or two, and mash them into a paste (adding a little water if needed). Then, apply it to the sunburn areas. Remove it after a few minutes. However, to avoid other health problems, do not use more tablets than recommended or apply the paste obtained while taking an oral pain reliever.
Step 2. Apply a cool cloth to the affected area
Take a soft cotton cloth and dip it in cool, not cold water. Squeeze it a little and put it on the skin. If necessary, immerse it again and repeat the operation. You can also dip it in cold whole milk. It will refresh you by activating the beneficial effects of vitamin D.
Step 3. Take a cool bath
Use fresh, not cold water and stay immersed for a while. For more benefits, fill a clean sock with 150g of rolled oats and close the end. Put it in the tub, immerse yourself and press it to release the properties of its contents. The oat polysaccharides will protect the skin and relieve pain.
- Of course, you can also throw the oatmeal directly into the tub, but this will make it more difficult to clean it when you are done with the bath.
- Resist the temptation to rub the bubble bath on your body. It will dry out the skin and prolong the healing process.
Step 4. Use the cucumber
Add it to the water to moisturize the skin or put a few thin slices on the sunburn. Alternatively, blend it to create a mask that you can apply to your face or to another burned spot on your body. These methods will allow you to benefit from the antioxidant properties of cucumber.
To further aid healing, you can mix cucumber paste with aloe vera gel
Step 5. Have some tea
Make a cup of green tea. Drink it directly or soak a cotton ball and apply it to burned skin. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of the tea can reduce redness and swelling, allowing the skin to heal.
Step 6. Avoid applying ice
You may be tempted to take a few ice cubes from the freezer and place it directly on your skin. Do not indulge this desire because the intense cold can further damage the skin and destroy the epithelial cells. Instead, if you intend to use ice, wrap a few cubes in a soft, clean cloth before touching your skin.
Step 7. Do not touch the burned area
Resist the temptation to run your fingers over the sunburn, pulling on the protective layer it is creating. Dead skin will fall off in due course without any outside intervention. If you remove these tissues too soon, there is a risk of scarring or infections. This recommendation is especially true if you are thinking about puncturing a few blisters.
Once the skin has regained an almost normal color and is no longer sore, you can exfoliate it with a soft sponge
Step 8. See a doctor
If the burn is accompanied by blisters or looks too swollen, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Any leaking pus could indicate an infection. See your doctor if the sunburn is causing you a lot of pain and home remedies are not working.
Depending on the situation, your doctor may likely prescribe a corticosteroid cream or antibiotic if the burn shows signs of infection
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Sunburn
Step 1. Apply sunscreen before going out
Buy a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks the harmful action of UVA and UVB rays. Get one with a minimum filter of 50 - the higher, the better. Then, apply it to your skin at least 20 minutes before going out. This way, it will begin to act before you expose yourself to the sun, preventing you from getting burned.
To choose between the various sun creams, consider what kind of protection you need. If you have to swim, then you may want to take a water resistant cream. If you're going on a hike, you might want to buy one that also contains insect repellent
Step 2. Apply the cream regularly
You should rub it on your skin at least every 90 minutes, but the interval between applications may shorten if you sweat profusely or spend a lot of time in the water. Don't roll it out hastily. Make sure you cover all exposed parts of the body.
For the face, calculate an amount equivalent to a small coin, while for the body it should correspond to two shot glasses
Step 3. Put on a hat
Since it is almost impossible to apply sunscreen to the head, the scalp is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body to the sun. To prevent burns, wear a solid hat if you are outside for a long time. This way, you will also protect your face.
Step 4. Pay attention to the body's signals
The body can tell you when it has had enough sun. So stop for a moment and evaluate your conditions. Is the skin hot? Does it seem tense? Do you feel pain at any point? In these cases, find shelter.
Step 5. Ask your friends to check on you
If you are in the company of other people, ask to take a look at you. However, be aware that the sun's reflection can mask the symptoms of a sunburn, so it's not always easy to accurately assess whether it's a sunburn.
Step 6. Be very careful while healing
It can take up to six months for the skin to completely heal from a sunburn. If you burn yourself again during this time, the healing process may stop. Therefore, while you heal, take care of your body and limit your exposure to the sun.
Advice
- Commonly used moisturizers are not recommended for burns. Purchase a water-based moisturizer and place it in the refrigerator to cool. Applied to the sunburn, it should help you a little.
- Be patient during the healing process. In most cases, sunburns begin to visibly improve after about a week.
- If you want to speed up the healing process, you can try LED laser treatment. Promotes healing and can be done immediately after a burn.
Warnings
- If the sunburn is accompanied by severe swelling, high body temperature, lightheadedness, nausea, or headache, seek immediate medical attention. It could be sunstroke.
- Keep in mind that certain medications, especially antibiotics, can make you particularly vulnerable to the sun's rays and promote sunburn.
