How to Get Rid of a Sunburn Fast

Keep sunburned skin moisturized.

A sunburn looks bad, gives you dry skin and causes constant pain. If you misjudged your time in the sun and got a burn, however, you can do a few things to heal yourself quickly. Be sure to exercise caution in the future because having successive sunburns can increase your skin cancer risk. Use at least 30 SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen, and avoid being in the sun in the middle of the day. Remember that a sunburn will heal completely when the burned layers of skin shed off of you

Things You'll Need

• Cotton clothing
• Cold compresses
• Moisturizing lotion with aloe

Instructions

1. Stay out of the sun. The areas around your sunburn may be on the verge of burning, so try to limit your exposure when recovering from a sunburn. Otherwise, you could worsen the problem.

2. Take a cool shower or bath to ease the immediate pain. This will work while your skin is cool, but as soon as you get out of the bath or shower and your skin warms up, the pain will return. So use cold compresses or a towel dampened with cool water.

3. Apply skin moisteners or special after-sun lotions containing aloe to the burned area. These lotions will moisten the skin and promote more rapid healing. This is perhaps the most important step, and should be performed daily and after bathing. Avoid lotions containing alcohol or benzocaine.

4. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet. Your body is working hard to heal your sunburn, which is why it feels warm to the touch. Make sure you are properly hydrated and fed to help your body do the job. Nothing special is required beyond eight glasses of water a day and some nutritional meals. If you're on vacation or spending some time at the beach, drink a lot of water and don't eat junk food all day..

5. Wear lose-fitting and light clothing so that you do not irritate your skin further. This will ease the pain and keep your mind off your sunburn. Light cotton shirts and cloth pants are perfect.

6. Continue to apply moisturizer while the skin peels. Do not break blisters, as that will increase your healing time.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people use exfoliates to lightly peel away the burnt skin, but beware and use this at your own risk, as it could significantly increase your pain if used improperly.

• Do not use soap in the shower or bath, as it rids your body of natural oils that are essential to healing your sunburn.

References

• Mayo Clinic; What's the Most Effective Sunburn Treatment?; Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson