Soothe a Savage Sunburn
Flew too close to the sun, eh, Icarus? Use these tips to survive the scorch
Maybe you skipped the sunscreen completely. Maybe you simply have the complexion of Casper and got scorched on your way to the mailbox. Regardless, the sun has struck and done damage. Now what do you do? Save your seared hide with these pro tips.
The science
The key thing here is ultraviolet damage. “When you start to peel, you are witnessing cells which have been killed by the ultraviolet light making a cleft in the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin,” says Richard Glogau, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at University of California San Francisco. “This disintegration causes the cells above them to come off in sheets very similar to what happens with the roof of a blister. The dead layer literally peels off.”
The consequences
If blistering has happened, the peel is coming, and no amount of lotion will prevent it. “Moisturizing may temporarily delay the reaction, but once those epidermal cells are zapped, they are doomed to peel off,” Glogau says. Do your best to keep your hands away from the burn—no scratching, itching, picking, or peeling away. Moisturizing might help your skin itch less, thereby reducing your inclination to mess with it.
The pain
If a blister is present, leave it intact to allow the new skin underneath the blister to mature and heal, says Elizabeth Martin, MD, of Pure Dermatology & Aesthetics. “If you pick at peeling skin or blisters you can increase your risk of developing a skin infection,” she says. Using compresses or baths with colloidal oatmeal (such as Aveeno) can soothe the rawness of the blistered skin. Or try this DIY trick: “Compressing with ice-cold whole milk for a minute or two will also take the severe burn sensation down a notch or two,” Glogau says. Frequent application of a neutral emollient, like Aquaphor ointment or Eucerin Calming Cream, can soothe the skin. Repeat the oatmeal or milk soaks/compresses every hour as needed.
The fixes
Fortunately, there are many strategies for further alleviating this nastiness. In terms of general pain, start with an anti-inflammatory. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen taken according to directions in the first 24 hours can significantly reduce discomfort from sunburn,” Glogau says. The biggest takeaway? Take them right away. “To be useful, these drugs must be taken within hours of the first appearance of the pain or redness of the sunburn,” Glogau says.
For topical treatment, aloe is the obvious choice. “Aloe kept chilled in the refrigerator can be particularly soothing to sunburned skin,” Martin says. She also suggests products that contain soy, as well as over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. But beware of certain ingredients: “I do not recommend using any products that contain ingredients with ‘-caine’ in the name,” Martin notes. “These can irritate the skin or even cause an allergic reaction.”
The reminders
Once you have gotten a sunburn, keep a few things in mind. First, hydration: “When you are sunburned, fluid is drawn to the skin's surface and away from the rest of the body, so drink extra water when you are sunburned to help avoid dehydration,” Martin says.
Also, keep that sunburned skin out of the sun. If you have to go outdoors, wear tightly woven fabrics (loose fitting, of course) to protect your skin. If you have blistering that covers a large area, such as your entire back, or if you have chills, fever, or a headache, see your doctor immediately, Martin says.
The lecture
In the future, use sunblock, ‘kay?
The science
The key thing here is ultraviolet damage. “When you start to peel, you are witnessing cells which have been killed by the ultraviolet light making a cleft in the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin,” says Richard Glogau, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at University of California San Francisco. “This disintegration causes the cells above them to come off in sheets very similar to what happens with the roof of a blister. The dead layer literally peels off.”
The consequences
If blistering has happened, the peel is coming, and no amount of lotion will prevent it. “Moisturizing may temporarily delay the reaction, but once those epidermal cells are zapped, they are doomed to peel off,” Glogau says. Do your best to keep your hands away from the burn—no scratching, itching, picking, or peeling away. Moisturizing might help your skin itch less, thereby reducing your inclination to mess with it.
The pain
If a blister is present, leave it intact to allow the new skin underneath the blister to mature and heal, says Elizabeth Martin, MD, of Pure Dermatology & Aesthetics. “If you pick at peeling skin or blisters you can increase your risk of developing a skin infection,” she says. Using compresses or baths with colloidal oatmeal (such as Aveeno) can soothe the rawness of the blistered skin. Or try this DIY trick: “Compressing with ice-cold whole milk for a minute or two will also take the severe burn sensation down a notch or two,” Glogau says. Frequent application of a neutral emollient, like Aquaphor ointment or Eucerin Calming Cream, can soothe the skin. Repeat the oatmeal or milk soaks/compresses every hour as needed.
The fixes
Fortunately, there are many strategies for further alleviating this nastiness. In terms of general pain, start with an anti-inflammatory. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen taken according to directions in the first 24 hours can significantly reduce discomfort from sunburn,” Glogau says. The biggest takeaway? Take them right away. “To be useful, these drugs must be taken within hours of the first appearance of the pain or redness of the sunburn,” Glogau says.
For topical treatment, aloe is the obvious choice. “Aloe kept chilled in the refrigerator can be particularly soothing to sunburned skin,” Martin says. She also suggests products that contain soy, as well as over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. But beware of certain ingredients: “I do not recommend using any products that contain ingredients with ‘-caine’ in the name,” Martin notes. “These can irritate the skin or even cause an allergic reaction.”
The reminders
Once you have gotten a sunburn, keep a few things in mind. First, hydration: “When you are sunburned, fluid is drawn to the skin's surface and away from the rest of the body, so drink extra water when you are sunburned to help avoid dehydration,” Martin says.
Also, keep that sunburned skin out of the sun. If you have to go outdoors, wear tightly woven fabrics (loose fitting, of course) to protect your skin. If you have blistering that covers a large area, such as your entire back, or if you have chills, fever, or a headache, see your doctor immediately, Martin says.
The lecture
In the future, use sunblock, ‘kay?
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