How to Cure a Sunburn

Sunburns are one of those things that everybody knows how to prevent, but almost all people are affected at one point or another in their lives. While some sunburns can be more severe than others, here are the steps you need to take to cure a sunburn and return to your normal life.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
    

   Avoid Irritating Your Skin Again - While this is a pretty basic step, you would be surprised how many people blow off their new sunburn and spend hours in the sun the next day. Keep your affected skin covered by gentle clothing at all times for protection and avoid treating the affected area with any chemicals such as soap or hand sanitizer until the sunburn has healed.

2. 
    

   Drink Plenty of Water - Water will help replenish your damaged skin cells and can even cut the time that it takes for your skin to heal in half. Keep a water bottle with you during the day and keep sipping on it to ensure that you get 8-10 cups of water by the end of the day.

3. 
    

   Apply a Healing Lotion - Lotion will help to both soothe and heal the sunburn if applied 3-5 times a day until the sunburn has healed. Lotions that are based around aloe vera or cacao butter have been known to be especially effective for sunburns.

4. 
    

   Keep the Affected Area Cool - Take colder showers throughout the day and wipe down your sunburn with damp rag if it begins to irritate you. Keeping the sunburn out of the heat will help to both heal the burn quicker and reduce the amount of pain you feal

5. 
    

   Take a Painkiller - If the sunburn is really severe and the pain is interfering with your daily activities, take a painkiller such as aspirin or ibuprofen to cut down the swelling and pain of the burn. Follow the dosage guidelines on the box and do not exceed the recommended dosage under any circumstances.

6. 
    

   The sunburn should start to heal and peel naturally in less than a week. Don't pick off the peeling skin or play with the sunburn as it is finishing the healing process.

Tips & Warnings

• Sunburn can be easily avoided if you apply sunscreen with an spf of 30 or higher to the skin each hour you are out in the sun.
• If the sunburn is so severe that it begins to crack and pain is unbearable, consult a physician immediately

Resources

• Coppertone Sport SPF 30 Continuous Spray Clear Twin Pack, 6-Ounce Cans
• Johnsons Baby Oil With Aloe Vera & Vitamin E - 20 oz