Picture this: you just got back from the beach, ready to enjoy the joys of a hearty barbecue and a cocktail. You look back at yourself in the mirror. Unfortunately your face (or part of your body) is scarlet red. You got sunburned and it hurts. Thankfully, great perils like these come with greater remedies. In this article, we break down how to quickly soothe sunburns so you can enjoy summer barbecues with peace of mind while avoiding peeling skin.
Protect yourself
Obviously, you could have thought about scrupulously coating yourself with sunscreen before going out. Oversights like these happen to the best of us. The damage has been done, but the time has come to protect yourself all the same. Without question, if your skin is already burned, you need to take major precautions before exposing yourself to the sun again. Your skin, through that sunburn of yours, told you to stop. So if you really must go back out in the sun, make sure that your sunburnt areas are well protected.
Take a cold shower
…Or a cold bath, for that matter. Cold is particularly recommended to soothe the pain associated with sunburn and to refresh your burned skin. Immerse yourself in cold water regularly to speed up the process and repair your skin. Once you’re out, dry yourself by patting lightly (not rubbing) so you can minimize the friction.
Apply moisturiser
Whether your sunburn is on your body or your face, a moisturiser will be especially helpful. Applying a nourishing cream will help avoid dryness and soothe your skin. Choose one that’s lightweight but powerful like our Mattifying Face Moisturiser if it's your face that's affected, or our Nourishing Body Lotion if it's your body that’s sunburnt. You’ll quickly regain your soft skin of yesteryear.
Take aspirin or ibuprofen
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory like aspirin or ibuprofen will help reduce inflammation and limit the pain that’s associated with sunburns. Simple and efficient.
Drink a lot of water
Obviously, drinking a cocktail may seem tempting to forget the pain. It's your right. That said, if you want to speed up the relief of your sunburn, you’ll have to drink plenty of water. When you have a sunburn, your skin absorbs more water from your body, naturally accelerating dehydration. So, by simply drinking 2 litres of water a day, you’re making sure that the rest of your body doesn’t become dehydrated.
If you have blisters...
Sometimes, in the case of particularly severe sunburns, your skin can react by forming blisters. Resist the temptation to burst these blisters. They’re a sign that your skin is healing, plus they protect you against infections.
If it persists, see a doctor
If you've tried all of these techniques and still have severe pain or if your skin is peeling a lot after over a week, visit a dermatologist. He or she will be able to guide you and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Oh, and remember, prevention is better than a cure. Click here for our tips to help you tan without burning.
