Sunburn is brutal. It takes no mercy. If you’ve been unfortunate to suffer from severe sunburn, then you know that relief is the only thing you can focus on until it goes away. That being said, there is not much information out there about how to treat sunburn fast.
That is where I come in. No more weeks of discomfort. It’s time we take the power back from the dreaded sunburn. So what are the most important steps in healing sunburn? Let’s dive in and find out!
Health Conditions
There are lots of factors that come into play when healing sunburn. It’s not just about what level of sunburn you have but also your body and the way it handles curing sunburn. Let’s talk about the most common health conditions that affect the speed of your sunburn healing.
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Malnutrition
- Stress
While having these health conditions can affect your body’s recovery time, implementing these tips can still make a big difference in speeding up the process, so don’t go just yet.
Step to Curing Sunburn
Now that we know what to look out for when it comes to our own health, we can focus on how to get rid of sunburn. Here is a step by step guide to giving you the best results in the shortest amount of time.
1. Get Out of the Sun
This should go without saying, but you need to run as far away from the sun as possible. I know you might not think so, but I promise, it can get so much worse. We don’t want to damage your skin any more than it already has been. Also, the heat is going to elevate your pain, so run to the covered air conditioning first and foremost.
2. Ice Ice Baby
Your skin is on fire. That gut reaction to run to the ice pack is there for a reason. Ice can help pull out the immediate pain. However, wrap the ice with a cloth or another barrier to help your skin from getting more irritated. We want cool relief, but the ice can be a little harsh on sunburn.
3. Rinse Off
Your body is probably feeling gross and sweaty after a long day in the sun. It is perfectly acceptable and recommended to hop in a cold shower. However, stay away from the suds immediately after. This could irritate your skin more or counteract with anything that will reduce the pain. Rinse with water only for now.
You can also opt for a bath. This is where you can add something other than just water. Try adding oatmeal to your bath. This is great for soothing irritation and can protect yourself from the dreaded sunburn itch that can surface a few days post-burn.
4. Tea Time
While it may sound a bit far-fetched, treating your burn with green or black tea can help relieve the heat ache that comes with intense sunburn. It is full of antioxidants that can nourish your skin. Grab a paper towel, soak it in the tea of choice that you brewed with cold water, and let it sit on your burn.
5. Fight the Itch
I mentioned the dreaded itch briefly. Now is when it will knock in full force. Being proactive can help diminish or eliminate this component completely, so don’t wait until you experience it to bring out the remedies.
There are loads of anti-itch creams that will do numbers for your circumstance. Look for a rash relief powder or hydrocortisone cream for the best results. Both of these are high results while being gentle enough to work on sensitive skin.
6. Moisture
The most important step of all. The leading cause for sunburn pain that won’t go away is a lack of moisture. It is not good enough to slap some aloe vera on your skin and call it a day. Your burned skin is much more dry than normal, so heighten your moisturizing routine quite significantly.
There are a few ways to do this, and none of them is exclusive. Pack on as many as you can to get the best results. First, drink lots of water. If your body is not hydrated from the inside, it’s going to be much more difficult to hydrate from the outside. Get to chugging.
Next, aloe vera is a good thing. Be sure to look for natural aloe vera. Sadly, many of the popular store brands are loaded down with chemicals that can dry your skin out more than help. However, natural aloe vera is extremely healing and nourishing to burns.
Always find a good moisturizer as well. Lather your skin up multiple times a day to ensure it doesn’t get itchy and peel as much. No shedding on our watch. You can also try coconut oil as a form of moisturizer to get natural but deep nourishment. Well all else fails, remember to wear sunscreen next time! Don’t put your skin through this pain and trauma anymore!
