Best self-care tips to recover from sunburn and sun rashes
Sunburn can be a painful reminder of a playful sunny day gone wrong. Whether you forgot to apply your sunscreen or spent too much outside under the sun, the aftermath is sunburned skin, redness, irritation, etc. Sometimes even worse, sunburn can also cause skin rashes and discomfort.
But don’t worry because in this article we’re talking about self-care tips to recover from sunburn and sun rashes.
What are the symptoms of sunburn?
The symptoms of sun burn are as follows:
- Skin that feels hot while touching
- Swelling
- Pain or itching
- The fluid-filled blister may be itchy and eventually even pop
- Skin colour changes first from pink to red and sometimes even purple
Problems that might arise along with sunburn include:
- Heatstroke or other heat-related illness from being in the sunlight for too long.
- Allergic reactions to sun exposure, sunscreen products, medicines, etc.
Other long-term problems can also arise such as:
- Having more cold sores
- More chances of having skin cancer
- Premature ageing, wrinkles or brown spots, etc
So, do not forget to use your sunscreen before you leave your house.
How to heal your sunburn?
Protecting our skin and hair from sun damage is very essential to maintain their health. The sun’s harmful rays can cause a range of problems, from premature ageing, and wrinkles to sun burns and eventually even skin cancer. To prevent these issues, it’s important to the following tips that will protect you from sun damage.
Applying sunscreen daily
Avoiding the sun is not possible we understand because we have work, we have to go to school, and sometimes our job involves us going from one place to another constantly. But what we can do is always apply sunscreen before we step outside of our house.
These sunscreens help to block harmful ultraviolet rays that possibly cause damage to our skin. But don’t just use any sunscreen, use sunscreen that has at least SPF 30. This will help to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Cool your skin
The first and foremost step you should do to heal your sun burn is to cool down the area. First, try taking a cool shower or applying a cold compress will provide you instant relief from the heat and reduce inflammation. Do not shower with hot water, as it further irritates your skin.
After showering, just gently pat your skin instead of rubbing your sensitive areas. Washing yourself with cool water will also help clean the affected area, reducing the risk of infections. Avoid using harsh soaps as they can further irritate your skin and can also dry it out.
Apply aloe-vera gel
If you’re looking to get relief from sun burn, use aloe vera moisturisers and lotions to cool it down. Many people don’t know but aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and a cooling sensation which help for instant sunburn relief. It will help you your rehydrate skin, quickening your recovery time and minimising that irritation.
So, for instant relief, we recommend you apply aloe vera or the sun burn remedy that your doctor has recommended.
Drink enough water throughout the day.
A sun-burn draws out moisture from your skin, which leaves your skin dehydrated. So drink enough water to replenish your skin from the inside out, supporting your healing process from sun-burn. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Do not peel your skin.
As your skin slowly heals from sun-burn, you can notice peeling because of sunburn. Although it’s tempting, please do not pick or peel your skin, as it can result in infection or scarring. Instead, regularly moisturise your skin to allow the skin to shed naturally.
Continuous scratching or peeling will disrupt your skin’s healing process, as well as make the sun-burn feel more painful and itchy. And, your scratch can risk infection which lengthens your recovery time. Even though you don’t want to and the temptation is high try sunburn remedies as mentioned above such as aloe vera, cool showers, etc.
Wear loose clothing
As your skin slowly repairs itself, make sure to wear clothes that don’t stick to your skin. As we all know our skin is the body’s largest organ, so it’s best to give your skin some room to breathe as it heals from sunburn.
Don’t forget your other saviour; moisturizer.
After the sunburn, your skin needs more love and care. And, the most important thing we all can do to stop our skin from peeling or at least keep it to a minimum is regularly applying your moisturizer. But don’t just use any moisturizer, but use scent-free moisturizer to keep your skin irritation as minimal as possible.
Sunburn prevention tips
Prevention is always better than cure. Don’t let the sunburn ruin your summer vacation in the first place by protecting it. Knowing what you can do for sunburn is good, but knowing what you can do to prevent it is even better.
Sunburn is not just a skin concern, painful but it can also develop skin cancer. So, here are some tips for you to protect your skin from getting sunburn.
- Avoid the sun as much as possible from 10 am to 4 pm, when ultraviolet rays are the strongest. Even if you have to go outside during this time, reapply your sunscreen, wear a hat, and full sleeves clothes.
- Reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours and use at least SPF30 or higher. Make sure to apply your sunscreen at least 15-20 minutes ahead before you go outside.
- Always carry an umbrella with you, wear a hat and protect your hair, long sleeves and sunglasses are perfect.
Let’s enjoy this summer fully without getting sunburned and protecting our skin.
FAQ’s
What natural remedies are effective for sunburn?
Aloe vera, coconut oil, and oatmeal baths are all great natural remedies to reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin and promote healing.
How can I prevent sunburn and sunrashes in the future?
You should always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and reapply every 2-3hour, be careful of direct sunlight, and wear proper clothing with long sleeves to protect your skin from sunburn.
Is it okay to peel sunburned skin?
No, not you shouldn’t be peeling your skin as it can cause scarring or even infection. Instead, moisturize the area and allow it to heal naturally.
Can I use a regular moisturizer on sunburned skin?
Yes, you can use a moisturizer that is a fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizer to prevent further irritation and help lock in moisturize for healing.
What causes sun rashes?
Sun rashes are also known as polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), it occurs when skin reacts to sunlight resulting in redness, itchiness, etc.
