When sunny days draw us outside, it’s easy to forget the flip side of soaking up the sun: sunburns.
A sunburn is a red, painful burn that appears on the skin after it’s exposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Around one-third of American adults report getting sunburned each year.
Common as they are, sunburns shouldn’t be ignored. They can lead to long-term skin and skin cell problems like melanoma and other types of skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that having five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 can increase your risk of melanoma by 80%, and your risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer by 68%.
To help keep your skin protected now and into the future, we’ve addressed some common FAQs about sunburn treatment, relief and prevention below.
How do I treat a sunburn?
There's no magic cure that will get rid of a sunburn instantly. However, there are a number of at-home remedies and self-care measures that can help with sunburn discomfort and potentially speed up the healing process. Here’s how to soothe a sunburn - fast:
- Cool down: As soon as you notice you're sunburned, get out of the sun and cool your skin with a cold compress, cool bath or shower. Although this is a simple home remedy, it’s also effective.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of fluids to replenish your body's water content. Sunburns can dehydrate you, and drinking extra water can prevent headaches, dizziness and other symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
- Moisturize with aloe vera gel or oil-free moisturizer: Apply aloe or a fragrance-free, oil-free lotion to the affected area. Moisturizing can help soothe the burned skin, relieve dryness, and prevent skin peeling. This method is especially effective if the aloe or lotion is applied after bathing in cool water, as it helps to trap moisture in your skin.
- Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever: Many OTC anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or aspirin can help with discomfort and reduce swelling.
- Leave blisters alone: If your skin is blistering or peeling, let it be. Picking or reopening these wounds can disrupt the healing process and make your skin susceptible to infections.
- Protect your sunburned skin: While your skin is healing, protect it from further sun damage. Cover up if you’re in the sun, wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and seek out shade.
What to avoid if you have a sunburn
While there are some effective pain relief options for sunburns, some treatments can actually irritate your skin even more. Here’s what to avoid if you have a sunburn:
- Petroleum jelly: Products like Vaseline can trap the heat that your skin is trying to release. This can lead to more inflammation and discomfort.
- Oils: Oils like coconut and jojoba oil are often recommended for skin care, but they’re not advised for sunburn. Like petroleum jelly, oils can form a barrier on your skin and trap in heat.
- Topical anesthetics: Some topical anesthetics or 'numbing creams', such as benzocaine, may cause skin irritation - especially if you apply them to an open blister or raw skin.
- Alcohol: Products that contain alcohol can be drying to the skin. This can aggravate the burn and delay healing.
- Harsh soaps: Using harsh or fragranced soaps on sunburned skin can irritate it. Instead, use a gentle, fragrance-free soap or cleanser.
- Makeup: Even though it may be tempting to cover up your sunburn with foundation or other makeup, do your best to avoid it. Makeup contains oils, alcohols and other chemicals that can prevent your skin from healing properly.
6 Simple tips for preventing a sunburn
An effective way to reduce your risk of skin cancer and protect your skin is to avoid sunburns in the first place. Here are several tips for sunburn prevention:
- Use sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed skin. "Broad-spectrum" sunscreen provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Make sure that you reapply at least every two hours, or more often if you're sweating, swimming or partaking in any other activities that can cause the sunscreen to wear off.
- Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, long pants and hats with wide brims can provide physical barriers against the sun's rays. Some clothing is even rated for its ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) – the higher, the better.
- Seek shade: The sun's rays are typically strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to stay in the shade during that time, aiming for shade structures like umbrellas or canopies.
- Be aware of reflective surfaces: Water, snow and sand can reflect the sun's rays and increase your chance of sunburn. Be especially mindful in these environments.
- Check the UV index: The UV index measures the sun's radiation, which can help you plan your outdoor activities to avoid intense sunlight.
- Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds emit UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer.
All of these methods are effective at preventing sunburns. However, none can individually offer 100% sun protection. It's important to combine these tips for the best protection.
What are the different types of sunburns?
Burns are divided into three categories that vary by severity and symptoms: first-degree burns, second-degree burns and third-degree burns. Sunburns tend to fall in the first and second-degree burn categories. Here’s what symptoms can look like for each type:
- First-degree burn: A first-degree burn means that your skin’s top layer has been damaged. These are considered more mild, as they typically heal within a few days. Symptoms of a first-degree sunburn typically include skin that is pink or red and painful to the tough.
- Second-degree burn: Second-degree burns are considered more moderate. They signify that both your skin’s outer layer and middle layer (dermis) have been damaged. If you have a second-degree sunburn, you may be experiencing blisters, peeling skin or swelling. You also might be experiencing symptoms of heat illness, like dizziness, confusion, muscle cramping and nausea. Second-degree sunburns can take several weeks to heal, and they might require medical treatment.
- Third-degree burn: A third-degree burn from the sun is extremely rare; third-degree burns are typically a result of chemical burns or fire. However, third-degree burns are the most severe out of all burn types, and require immediate emergency treatment. They can harm all layers of your skin, damaging nerve endings, muscles and tendons.
How long does it take for a sunburn to heal?
The healing time for a sunburn depends on the severity of the burn. Generally, mild sunburns tend to heal within a few days, moderate sunburns can take several weeks, and more severe sunburns can take months to fully heal.
Mild sunburns, where the skin is red and painful, usually start to improve within a few days.
Moderate sunburns, which are characterized by more severe redness, pain and swelling, can take longer to heal. These sunburns can cause blisters, which usually heal within two weeks.
Severe sunburns are a more serious condition. Symptoms include extreme redness, blistering, pain, swelling, fever, nausea, chills and dizziness. This type of sunburn requires medical attention. It may take several weeks or even months to heal completely. After a severe sunburn, the skin may peel in large pieces or even leave behind changes in skin pigmentation.
When to talk to a doctor about a sunburn
Most minor-to-moderate sunburns can typically be eased with at-home remedies, like cool compresses or aloe.
However, you may want to seek medical advice if you’re experiencing extensive blistering, extreme pain, swelling, fever or chills. Keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as pus or red streaks near the burn or blisters.
How Sesame can help
If you’re dealing with a painful sunburn and need treatment advice, a dermatologist or other licensed healthcare professional on Sesame can help!
Simply book an online skin consult at a time that works for you. During your virtual appointment, your provider can assess your burn. They can also determine a treatment plan and prescribe medication if necessary. It’s a convenient and affordable way to give your skin the attention and care it deserves.
