How To Treat Sunburn
Sunburn affects almost all of us and it can be very harsh and painful. The sun is a very very strong entity and although most of us like the idea of getting a good tan, it doens’t always end up that way. Whether it be your skin type or a lack of SPF, sunburn is very common. It generally will heal on its own but there are some things you can do to help the process. There are also some things to avoid when sunburnt which I will tell you about in this article.
Do:
Have a cool shower. It can really sting to have a hot shower and this can aggravate your skin further. Cool showers will help to soothe.
Use aftersun or Aloe Vera. I take moisturising very seriously when I am exposed to the sun and Aloe Vera is a very calming ingredient which will help to protect your skins barrier and prevent your skin from drying out and peeling which is often the result of sunburn.
Stay hydrated. It’s important to hydrate from the inside as well as with moisturiser. Drink plenty of water to help keep your skin hydrated.
Keep your sunburn skin covered. You don’t want to let your burn get any worse so keeping any sunburnt areas covered will help allow it to heal properly.
If you’ve burnt badly you can take painkillers to help ease any pain. I know that I often get bad headaches when I’m sunburnt.
Wetting a flannel or a towel with cold water and applying it to the affected areas will just help to cool you body temperature down and to make you feel more comfortable.
Don’t:
Do not put ice directly on your skin. This can be dangerous and can actually burn your skin and caused further damage to your blood vessels.
Don’t use petroleum or oil-based products on sunburnt skin. It can block your pores and may cause infection.
If your skin blisters. Do not pop them! You will run a higher risk of infection and it may cause your skin to scar and slow down the healing process.
It’s best to avoid tight clothing. It can be uncomfortable to have any clothing rubbing on your sunburnt skin and it will likely make you feel hotter.
Try your best not to pick your skin if it starts to peel. I know how tempting and satisfying it can be but it can cause scarring.
A few ways to prevent sunburn:
Wear SPF and make sure you keep it topped up.
Try to avoid sitting in direct sunlight when the UV is particularly strong, generally in the middle of the day. (You can check on weather apps what the UV is).
Keep your face protected from the sun by wearing a hat.
Protect your eyes with sunglasses.
When you can, spend some time in the shade.
