You’d think that in this age of advice and sunscreen, sunburned skin would have gone the way of the dinosaurs. But still it happens.
Perhaps you fell asleep in the shade and woke up in the sun. Or…gasp…may you just forgot to apply sunscreen. Nobody intentionally sets out to get a sunburn.
Because surely by now everyone knows the havoc even one sunburn can have on your skin – the risk of skin cancer, the premature aging factor. We won’t nag, at least not this week. No, this week’s blog is devoted entirely to what to do if you do get sunburned skin.
- Cool It Down Fast
If you’re close to a cold body of water – pool, lake, ocean – submerge yourself for a few seconds. Then, get out of the sun immediately. You should continue cooling the burn by applying cold compresses to the sunburned area of your skin. Taking a cool bath or shower may also be helpful, but be sure not to stay in too long and avoid any kind of harsh soap. If you’re taking a shower, be sure to turn the nozzle pressure down low or you might experience a stinging sensation.
- Moisturize Your Skin While It’s Still Damp
Use a gentle moisturizer while your skin is still damp (but not wet). Your moisturizer should NOT contain petroleum or oil-based ingredients because that could trap the heat the heat within your skin and make the situation worse.
- Reduce Inflammation
Taking a nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medication at the first sign of sunburned skin is highly recommended to help with inflammation and pain. This type of medication includes ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, and you can use them as directed until the burn feels better. Another thing you can do is use an over-the-counter cortisone cream to help with swelling and redness. If you like natural healing, aloe vera – either directly from the plant or in a cream or gel form – can also prove helpful in soothing sunburned skin.
- Wear Loose Clothing
When you have a sunburn, the last thing you want to do is wear tight-fitting clothing next to your skin. Instead, wear light, loose, breathable fabrics like soft cotton that won’t cling and irritate your skin.
- Drink Plenty of Fluids
When you have sunburned skin, your body’s fluids are drawn to your skin’s surface and away from the rest of your body. In order not to become dehydrated while your skin heals, you need to drink extra water and electrolytes-replenishing sports drinks.
Although sunburned skin isn’t usually considered immediately life threatening, you should seek medical help if you have severe blistering over a large area of your skin, and/or if you have fever and chills, or feel woozy. Whatever you do, resist the urge to scratch or pop blisters as this can lead to infection.
Okay, we said we weren’t going to nag, but one parting thought: Although your sunburned skin will heal, you have done damage that can manifest itself years down the road. The more sunburns you have, the greater your risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging (think tanned leather).
So avoid sunburned skin at all costs. Use sunscreen liberally and properly whenever you are out in the sun, and avoid prolonged exposure.
If you would like more information on how to properly treat sunburned skin, or how to repair sun-damaged skin, click here to schedule an appointment with Dermatology Associates.
Dermatology Associates offers a full spectrum of leading edge medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services from offices in Savannah and Vidalia.
