Did you know that spending time outside can cause you to get sunburnt in just 15 minutes? That’s because Australia has some of the highest UV levels in the world. Sunburn can make your skin swell, itch, feel sore, become red or purple, and form blisters.
What You Didn’t Know About Sunburn
Sunburn might be annoying, but it’s actually your body’s way of trying to heal UV damage, sort of like inflammation your body is struggling to fight. Sunburn should be avoided at all costs because that same UV light that causes it is also responsible for wrinkled skin and, more importantly, skin cancer.
If you’ve already got sunburn, your priority is probably to get rid of it as soon as possible. Before you follow any DIY advice out there, make sure you consider these tips and treat your sunburn in a way that’s gentle and healing to your skin.
Cool Down
Sunburnt skin feels hot and painful, so you want to put ice on it ASAP. Wrap ice blocks in a damp cloth and press it over the burned skin. This helps to constrict blood vessels and soothe swelling. Cooling ingredients like aloe vera gel or cold yogurt are also great ideas to treat sunburn and keep inflammation down. Apply plain yogurt to your skin for fifteen minutes, then rinse if off with water. This will give you a bit of relief from burning, painful skin.
Use a Gentle Moisturiser
Now is not the time to apply lots of fragranced chemical moisturisers to your skin, as these can irritate your sunburn. Apply a gentle moisturiser instead that’s unscented and as natural as possible to relive your skin. Always dab moisturiser onto your skin when it’s damp, such as when you’ve stepped out the shower, so that your skin will be able to absorb more of it.
Avoid Popular Household Remedies
There’s no evidence behind popular DIY sunburn remedies like using butter. There’s no way to speed up the process of recovery, your sunburn has to run its course. You can only gain relief along the way and prevent more damage from occurring.
Don’t Pick At It
A few days after getting sunburnt, your skin will start to peel. This is your body’s way of getting rid of its damaged skin, but try to leave it alone. Continue treating the skin with thick, creamy moisturisers to help it heal on its own. Avoid exfoliators that strip away the surface of skin as these will just irritate it and prevent your skin from healing in an even, natural way.
Cover Up
The best thing you can do for your sunburn is to learn from the mistakes that got you sunburnt in the first place. Always wear sunscreen before heading outside and reapply it every two hours, or sooner if you’re swimming or sweating. Head for shaded areas as much as possible, and wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing. Just five serious sunburns can double your risk of getting skin cancer, so those UV rays are no joke.
Treating sunburn is more about helping your skin heal, rather than trying to find a quick-fix solution to eliminating it. By keeping your skin cool, treating it with care, and avoiding the sun, your skin will be replenished and healthy again soon.