Skin care after sunburn

What should you do after a sunburn?

1. 1Get indoors as soon as you notice the burn. Shade and covering your skin help when you cannot get inside immediately.
2. 2Take a cool bath or shower to relieve discomfort. You can also place a cool, damp washcloth over the affected area.
3. 3Pat your skin dry gently, leaving it slightly damp. Apply a moisturizer containing aloe vera or soy to soothe the skin.
4. 4Drink extra water. Sunburn draws fluid toward the skin's surface and away from the rest of your body, increasing the risk of dehydration.
5. 5Continue moisturizing whenever you feel discomfort. Calamine lotion or a colloidal oatmeal bath are other options for relief.

These measures help relieve discomfort; they do not erase the damage caused by ultraviolet light, the invisible radiation in sunlight. A soothing moisturizer can make skin more comfortable, but the word "after" on a bottle is not a rewind button.14

How do you care for a sunburned face?

Use a gentle cleanser and avoid irritating anti aging or acne products while your face recovers. Sunburn damages a layer of skin, leaving the area fragile. General care centres on gentle cleansing and moisturizing, leaving the elaborate product lineup temporarily unemployed.2

After washing, pat rather than rub your face and moisturize while it is damp. Repeat moisturizing when discomfort returns rather than saving it for bedtime. For daytime protection, seek shade and wear a wide brimmed hat; apply sunscreen to exposed skin. At night, continue the gentle cleansing and moisturizing routine without adding irritating treatments.1

How do you care for sunburned skin?

Keep showers cool, avoid drying soaps, and moisturize daily. Wear soft fabrics and gently pat the burned area with a towel instead of rubbing. These habits matter during peeling because the newer skin underneath is delicate.3

Do not use scrubs or exfoliating products to remove flakes. Pulling off peeling skin can expose new cells before they are ready and can remove some of those cells too, increasing infection risk. Let loose skin come away naturally. Moisturizing can make peeling less noticeable, but there is no reliable way to stop it once it begins.3

Can you use petroleum jelly?

Avoid petroleum or oil based lotions over a fresh burn that still feels hot and swollen, because they can trap heat. Once the heat and swelling have settled and peeling has begun, these products can help keep skin moisturized. Blister care is a separate case: keep blisters clean and apply petroleum jelly to protect them as they heal.13

What helps with pain and blisters?

Ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling, and acetaminophen is another option for discomfort. Cool baths, showers and damp cloths offer relief without adding another skincare treatment. This is general guidance, not a personalized medicine plan, particularly during pregnancy or when you take prescription medicines.12

Blisters indicate a second degree sunburn, a deeper burn than one affecting only the outer skin layer. Do not pop them: intact blisters help skin heal and protect against infection. If blistering covers a large portion of your skin, see a dermatologist for additional care rather than relying on moisturizer alone.12

How long does sunburn take to heal?

A typical sunburn feels warm, itchy or tender, begins flaking within a few days, and heals in about a week. More severe burns can take one to two weeks, and blistering burns often take longer. Peeling is part of recovery: damaged outer cells shed as fresh skin grows underneath. It does not mean the area is ready for exfoliation or another afternoon of sun.235

The recovering area can look pinker or darker while a new protective skin barrier forms. Whether a burn later looks like a tan depends partly on your skin type and its pigment. There is no fixed deadline for a burn to become a tan, and tanning is not a recovery goal: both burns and tans reflect UV damage and increase skin cancer risk.5

How should you protect healing skin outdoors?

Stay out of direct sun where possible and cover the affected area. Newly exposed skin after peeling is especially vulnerable to UV radiation. Check the UV index before going outside, use shade, and wear protective clothing. Cloudy weather, cool temperatures and winter do not remove the risk of UV damage.2346

1. 1Choose a water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and broad spectrum protection, meaning coverage against both UVA and UVB rays.
2. 2Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outdoors to all skin not covered by clothing.
3. 3Use at least about 1 ounce for an adult's exposed skin; larger bodies can need more. For the face, use at least 1 teaspoon.
4. 4Cover commonly missed areas, including the ears, neck and tops of the feet. Use an SPF 30 or higher lip balm.
5. 5Reapply every two hours outdoors and immediately after swimming or sweating.

When should you see a doctor?

Get medical advice for widespread blistering or possible infection. Warning signs include increasing swelling and tenderness, crusting or scabbing, and pus or fluid leaking from the skin. A dermatologist can also examine skin that appears sun damaged and help you choose appropriate ongoing care.36