Got Too Much Sun? Here’s What to Do

You wear SPF 30 (or higher!) every day. You never go outdoors without slathering on the sunscreen. Even when you’re at the beach, you make every effort to stay covered up.

But despite all your efforts, you got a sunburn anyway. It happens, even with diligent sunscreen use. While a burn is unpleasant, there are a few things you can do to make your skin feel better and to help yourself feel more comfortable overall while your body heals. Here’s what you can do to get relief after spending too much time in the sun.

Reduce Sun Exposure

Once you notice your skin turning a little pink or you spot the tell-tale signs of a burn (such a hot feeling on the skin), head indoors ASAP. The longer you stay in the sun, the worse the sunburn will become and the more sun damage your skin will develop.

What if you’re at the beach for the day and can’t get inside? There are still ways to reduce your sun exposure. If you have one, it’s a good idea to put on a rashguard to protect your arms, chest, and back. A pair of sunglasses and a wide-brim hat will provide some coverage and protection to your face. Applying more sunscreen and covering exposed areas of your skin with a towel will also help.

Soothe Your Skin

After you’ve protected your skin and have minimized sun exposure, the next step is to soothe your skin and the burn. Use a skin care product that’s designed to soothe and calm irritated skin. A moisturizer with aloe is a great choice.

Skincare products that contain vitamin C and vitamin E are also good to use after too much sun exposure. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that can help to soothe your skin and reduce irritation. They’ll also protect your skin from further damage.

Cold temperatures can also help to make sunburned skin feel better. Try taking a cool shower or bath after a long day spent out in the sun. The water’s temperature will help cool you off and will bring down the overall temperature of your skin. When you bathe, use a gentle body wash or soap to avoid irritating the skin even further.

Drink Plenty of Water

It’s important to stay hydrated after spending a lot of time in the sun. Sun exposure can dehydrate you and not getting enough fluids into your body after a burn can delay the healing process and make the burn feel more uncomfortable.

Try to get at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water into your system a day while you recover from your burn, if not more. It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol while your sunburn heals, as it can make dehydration worse.

Don’t Pick at the Burn

Some sunburns will develop blisters and others will peel as they heal. The urge to pick at blisters or help your burn along by peeling off the skin can be strong. Resist! It’s in your best interests to avoid picking at your burn or trying to pop the blisters. If you need to, cover up the burn with a bandage so that you don’t peel it or pick at it.

Protect Your Skin in the Future

After you get a burn, you should commit to doing whatever you can to protect your skin from future damage. You don’t have to become a vampire and stay indoors during daylight hours, though. Instead, keep up the habit of applying sunscreen every day and make sure to reapply it every 90 minutes or so, especially on days when you’re outdoors for long periods.

If you can, try to stay inside and away from sunny windows between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, or when the sun is at its most intense. When you do go outside during those times, be extra cautious about coverage. Wear shirts that cover your shoulders, put on a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses and don’t forget the sunscreen before you go outside.

Also, remember that the sun doesn’t have to be out in full force to damage your skin. Practice sun-smart habits, such as wearing sunscreen and covering up, even on cloudy or rainy days.

Want more advice on what you can do to soothe burned skin? Looking for a way to improve your skincare game or rejuvenate sun-damaged skin? Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas is here to help. Call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation today.