How to Get Relief After a Sunburn
When it comes to sun damage, there are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself. But how can you get relief in the event that you suffer a sunburn? Here are a few ways to get relief from that stinging sensation.
Take Aspirin or Ibuprofen
Your first line of defense against the discomfort that comes with sunburn can absolutely be over-the-counter pain medication. There’s no shame in that! Aspirin and ibuprofen are particularly helpful because they help reduce redness, inflammation, and general discomfort in the affected area. Once the discomfort becomes a little bit more manageable, you can go about using other methods for relief.
Bathe Frequently in Cool Water
Cool showers are an excellent source of relief from the heat after you’ve been outside all day. But after a sunburn, the relief that a cool shower can provide is multiplied. The cool water can help reduce redness and soothe that stinging sensation that often comes with a sunburn. The more frequently you can get under a stream of cool water, the more relief you’ll find. When you exit your shower or bath, it’s important to remember to gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing your towel against it. The friction from rubbing a rough towel against your skin will only increase the discomfort you’re experiencing from your sunburn.
Moisturize with Soy or Aloe Vera
After you’ve bathed, it’s important to moisturize your skin. When it comes to sunburn, soy and aloe vera can help reduce discomfort while providing some much-needed moisture to the affected area. These ingredients are excellent at soothing skin irritation of all kinds. If your skin is feeling particularly irritated, you may want to apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. This can help further reduce your level of discomfort and eliminate itching sensations.
Stay Extra Hydrated
When you sustain a sunburn, you may feel exhausted and dehydrated. That’s because you really are dehydrated! A sunburn will actually draw moisture from your body to the surface of your skin, which leaves the rest of your body depleted of hydration. For that reason, it’s incredibly important to stay hydrated when you’re healing from a sunburn. However much water you normally drink in a day, make sure you’re drinking a bit extra to help speed up the healing process and give your body the water it needs to function properly.
Take Extra Care to Protect Your Skin
The one thing that can cause more irritation than ever for your sun damaged skin is more sun. So after a sunburn, make sure you’re taking extra measures to protect your healing skin. If you already use sunscreen, consider using a higher SPF. In addition, you may want to wear more protective clothing. Longer sleeves and wide-brimmed hats are great options that can help protect your skin while it heals.
When you’re suffering from a sunburn, it can feel impossible to get relief. If you have questions about treatment for sun damaged skin or want to know how you can prevent sunburn in the future, contact our team at North Pacific Dermatology to set up an appointment today.