It’s happened to even the most ardent sunscreen users – sunburn. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we fall victim to overexposure of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The effects of sunburn can be painful and especially irritating. To soothe and restore your skin more quickly, follow these steps for faster restoration.
- Cool Down
As soon as you feel the burn hit your skin, cool down! Grab a cold compress such as a wet towel, ice pack or even a frozen bag of peas and apply it to the burned area. It is important not to apply very cold items directly to the area. Instead, wrap it in a towel first to avoid further damage.
- Soothe
To calm the burn and reduce irritation, apply aloe vera or lotions containing lidocaine, ointments known to decrease the pain associated with sunburn. Witch hazel, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory agents can also help reduce redness and swelling. Keeping your skin well-moisturized will help prevent chafing, peeling and itching.
- Restore
Help your skin restore its health by keeping it moisturized from the inside and out. Drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated and apply moisturizers containing SPF 15 or higher. If peeling has occurred, it is important to protect that area even more since the newly exposed skin is more sensitive and likely to burn. To help sunburns heal more quickly, you can also apply vitamin E oil to the affected area.
Did you know that getting sunburn five times more than doubles your chances of developing cancerous melanoma? To prevent sunburn and sun damage, use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 protection daily, even if you aren’t going outside. Remember that it’s always better to take precautionary efforts than to treat the harmful effects of the sun. If you have a spot or mole that you would like checked, our office would be glad to assist you. To make an appointment, please call (865) 690-2467 to speak with our scheduling staff.
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