What Is Sunburn And How To Treat It?
Sucharitha V
Updated At 13 Sep 22
Do you want to know about sunburn and how it affects your skin? Do you want to know how to prevent and treat sunburn? Then, you have come to the right place!
What Is Sunburn?
Sunburn is caused when your skin is exposed to sun for a long period of time. This leaves your skin swollen, itchy and sensitive.
The sunlight which reaches us comprises of 2 types of rays- Long Wave Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Short Wave Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA rays cause wrinkles and premature aging. UVB rays are more dangerous as they cause sunburn and may cause skin cancer.
Fact: Sunburns can develop up to 72 hours after initial sun exposure.
How Does It Affect Your Skin?
Sunburn is painful and uncomfortable and it lasts for few days. It can range from mild to severe. If the sunburn is severe, you can experience blisters and peeling. Peeling of the skin is a way to get rid of the damaged skin cells thereby preventing it from becoming cancerous.
Sunburn leads to dry skin, premature aging and wrinkles. In addition to that, it can also lead to hyperpigmentation.
In the long run, sunburns can lead to melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer. Every time you get a sunburn, you are increasing the risk of getting skin cancer.
How To Prevent Sunburn?
In the case of sunburn, it is ideal to prevent it from happening because once you get a sunburn, you can only reduce the pain and discomfort but can’t reverse the damage.
1. Limit Sun Exposure
The first and most obvious way to prevent sunburn is by avoiding sun exposure. It is not practical but you can try to avoid sun exposure when it is at its peak, which is from 10 AM to 4 PM.
2. Always Use A Sunscreen
A sunscreen must be used whenever you step outside. Choose a sunscreen which has SPF 30 or higher and protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
Apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out in the sun and reapply it every 2 hours for maximum protection. Take a generous amount of sunscreen to cover the exposed areas.
Use a Lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from sun damage. Also, do not forget your hat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes.
How To Treat Sunburn?
If you weren't successful in preventing sunburn, then seek treatment to get rid of it.
ANAMIKA SUREKA WISE SHE / PINTEREST
1. Stay Hydrated
Keep drinking water to keep your body hydrated. This will help your body heal faster.
2. Use Homemade Masks!
You need to use soothing ingredients to calm your skin. Avoid using any store bought products.
Go for the following cucumber home remedy which has been one of the most effective solutions for treating sunburn.
Ingredients: 4 chilled cucumbers and 2 tablespoons of rose water
How to: Take 4 chilled cucumbers, grind them up, add 2 spoons of rose water and apply it on your skin. Wash it off after 30-45 minutes.
Frequency: Do this every day until the pain is reduced.
Why it works: Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties which will keep your skin calm and help your skin heal faster.
3. Cold Compress
The easiest thing to reduce the pain and swelling is to grab an ice pack. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth and then apply it on your skin to reduce the pain.
ANA FERNANDEZ-CHAMPAGNE / PINTEREST
4. Take Bath The Right Way!
Take a cool shower to calm your skin down. But if you want to heal your skin faster then use the home remedy mentioned below.
Ingredients: 3 cups of cool milk, 1 cup of water and, a clean cloth.
How to: Mix the water and milk, take a clean cloth and dip it in the milk. Dab your skin gently with the soaked cloth.
Frequency: Do it every day until the sunburn is reduced.
Why it works: If you want to soothe and calm your skin then use milk as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Tip: Do not use any soaps or body wash, as it will irritate your skin further.
5. Moisturize Your Skin!
A proven way to get rid of sunburn is to use Vitamin E oil. All you need to do it is to use Vitamin E oil all over your body after the shower.
Vitamin E Oil has anti-oxidant which will help your skin heal faster and keep it moisturized.
6. Medical Care
If nothing works for you and if you have a severe sunburn, then its always better to go to a doctor.
If you get sunburned lips due to the sun rays, then do check out how to treat sunburned lips to know all the treatment options
As prevention is better than cure so stay out of the sun and protect yourself to keep your skin healthy!
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