{"id":31048,"date":"2022-07-01T21:00:20","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T21:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=31048"},"modified":"2022-12-20T03:43:09","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T03:43:09","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-sunburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-sunburn\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Steps to Help Heal Sunburn Fast\u2014And What to Skip"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spent a little too much time in the sun? Sunburn happens, but there are ways to heal it quickly. We spoke to a board-certified dermatologist to find out <\/em>how to get rid of sunburn fast<\/em> so you can keep soaking up the sun.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Well, it happened\u2014whether you had a beach day, went to a pool party<\/a>, enjoyed a hike<\/a>, or simply just spent too much time outside with too little sun protection, you ended up with sunburn. And while we know it\u2019s important to wear SPF<\/a>\u2014as it can prevent damaging sun exposure which can put us at risk for skin cancer\u2014it\u2019s easy to forget re-apply when you\u2019re enjoying yourself. If you notice your skin is pink or red after some time outside, you\u2019re dealing with sunburn. It\u2019s a pain (literally), but there are ways to heal it quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n

We spoke to a dermatologist to find out how to get rid of sunburn fast (and included a list of the best things for sunburn) so you can get back outside and enjoy the warm weather.<\/p>\n\n\n

What Is Sunburn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You know what sunburn feels like and looks like, but what is sunburn, exactly? Sunburn is an inflammatory response that happens when our skin is exposed to UV rays for a prolonged amount of time without any protection. \u201cThe skin cells become red, swollen, hot, and painful to touch,\u201d explains Dr. Anar Mikailov<\/a>, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of KP Away<\/a>. \u201cIt can even blister, but do not pop the blisters, they are filled with fluids that help heal the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

How Long Do Sunburns Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n

There\u2019s not a concrete answer for how long it takes for sunburn to heal, unfortunately. It depends on the severity of the burn. Light or moderate sunburn can take anywhere from three to seven days to heal completely. However, blistering or peeling skin can take up to two weeks to fully recover. During this time, it\u2019s essential to keep your skin covered and out of the sun to prevent any further damage or blistering.<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Get Rid of Sunburn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Once again, it\u2019s important to note that the treatment for sunburn depends on the severity of the burn. \u201cIf you have blisters involving over 25 percent of your body, then you should see a doctor,\u201d Dr. Mikailov says. \u201cIf you develop significant pain, that\u2019s another reason to see a doctor.\u201d But if you\u2019re wondering what helps sunburn, here are a few things Dr. Mikailov recommends.<\/p>\n\n\n

Take an Anti-Inflammatory<\/h3>\n\n\n

Since sunburn is an inflammatory response your body has to sun exposure, one of the best things you can do is take an anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen) to reduce said inflammation<\/a>. You can also incorporate other anti-inflammatory habits<\/a> into your routine while you recover, such as getting enough sleep<\/a>, moving your body daily, and eating whole foods such as vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, and plant-based proteins.<\/p>\n\n\n

Bathe in Cool Water<\/h3>\n\n\n

Have you ever noticed that your sunburn still feels hot even long after you\u2019ve left the sun? Taking down the temperature on your shower offers instant sunburn relief and can accelerate healing. \u201cCool the skin with a cool bath or shower to reduce the heat in the skin,\u201d Dr. Mikailov suggests. Avoid hot showers, as they can cause more irritation in the moment and can dry out your skin even more (which can exacerbate post-sunburn peeling or blistering). Taking a few cool showers can help bring down the color of the sun damage quickly to get rid of sunburn redness overnight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try Slugging<\/h3>\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been on TikTok, you\u2019ve likely heard of slugging. It\u2019s a Korean beauty protective skincare practice that involves sealing in all of your skincare with a heavy occlusive (a moisturizing product that forms a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss). While slugging your face and hair slugging<\/a> have become more popular, you can also try the practice on your body. \u201cAfter the heat is drawn out of the skin [from your cool shower], in areas of significant burn \u2018slugging\u2019 with a thick layer of vaseline or coconut oil will help the skin heal,\u201d Dr. Mikailov says. For itchy sunburn, he recommends slugging with aloe vera and similar cooling or menthol gels.<\/p>\n\n\n

Pro tip: This is especially effective if you\u2019re dealing with sunburned lips. Try adding a coat of vaseline onto your pout before you sleep for best results.<\/p>\n\n\n

Use Thick Creams or Emollients<\/h3>\n\n\n

We\u2019ve all been there: Not only is your skin red, hot, and tender to the touch, it\u2019s also covered in white flakes. To get rid of peeling skin from sunburn, a thick cream can help. \u201cAs your skin peels, switch to thick emollients or creams with plant-based oils to restore your body\u2019s natural oil,\u201d Dr. Mikailov says. \u201c[These products] can help repair your lipid barrier and speed up healing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what Dr. Mikailov says to put on sunburn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n