You had a great day out in the sun and you come inside to feel burning, tingling, and extra heat coming from your skin — all to realize you have a sunburn. As vigilant as redheads try to be about applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothes, and keeping out of the sun, sunburns happen. So, now what do you do? Getting rid of a sunburn takes time, but there are a few things you can do to speed up the process and make it a little less red, and a little less painful.
1. Take a pain reliever
Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like Ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol can help reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain caused by your sunburn. You can even try applying a gel as a topical pain reliever directly onto your burnt skin. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with sunburn.*
2. Take a cool shower
Cooling down the temperature of your skin will help to soothe your sunburn. Take a cool shower or apply a cool compress to your sunburn. Don’t stay in the shower too long, about 10 minutes should do. You can do this several times a day to keep cooling down the skin.
3. Hydrate
Keeping you and your skin hydrated is key. After your cool shower, apply a hydrating lotion to your body. One with cooling ingredients like aloe is even better. You also need to drink some extra water to keep your body hydrated from the inside.
4. Use ointments
Topical sunburn ointments work wonders on healing a burn fast. Aloe vera is a great natural option and can be cooled in the fridge for relief. You can also use a burn cream to help heal the skin. Make sure to reapply often and wear loose clothing to avoid transfer.
5. Eat your fruits & veggies
Eating foods, like leafy greens and carrots, that are high in beta-carotene can help to reduce inflammation from sunburns. Oranges give you a boost of Vitamin D which which can also help with inflammation, and pomegranates can help to heal your sunburn from within.
Here are 6 more ways to quickly heal a sunburn:
1. Use cool compresses: Apply cool, damp compresses to the affected area to help alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
2. Use moisturizers: Apply moisturizing lotions or creams to help keep your skin hydrated and prevent peeling.
3. Avoid further sun exposure: Protect your skin from further damage by staying out of the sun until your sunburn heals completely.
4. Wear loose, breathable clothing: Opt for loose-fitting, breathable clothing to prevent further irritation to the sunburned area.
5. Use sunburn relief products: Over-the-counter sunburn relief products containing ingredients like lidocaine or menthol can provide temporary relief from pain and discomfort.
6. Seek medical attention if needed: If your sunburn is severe or accompanied by symptoms like fever, chills, or blistering, seek medical attention promptly.
*Always consult a doctor before taking any medications.
Rock it like a Redhead!
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