7 Sunburn Dos and Don’ts to Ease That Ouch

Aloe, there.

Raise your hand if the only souvenir you took from your sunny, summer vacation was stingy, pink skin. No matter how many times we’ve learned—the hard way—about how to protect our skin from the sun, sometimes we still need a reminder. Here are a few sunburn dos and don’ts you should follow for the remainder of the summer—and year-round.

1. Do: Reapply. 

   In order to prevent a sunburn, you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30, like hint sunscreen spray, and reapply regularly—especially if you’re swimming or sweating. It may already be too late, but the moment you sense you’re getting a sunburn, get out of the sun or cover up. If you can’t get out of the sun, reapply your sunscreen to prevent further damage.

2. Don’t: Take a Hot Shower.

   Though a steamy shower may feel good, hot water can further harm your skin, so stick with cool or lukewarm showers. Try a cool bath or a cold, damp towel applied to the skin.

3. Don’t: Exfoliate.

   If it it’s “exfoliation day” in your seven-day beauty routine, try not to use anything abrasive on your skin while you have a sunburn. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and don’t scrub.

4. Do: Moisturize.

   To reduce sunburn symptoms, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying a moisturizer containing aloe vera or soy. However, steer clear of any type of lotion which contains a local anesthetic (like benzocaine or lidocaine), which can skin irritation, and in some cases, allergic reaction.

5. Don’t: Use Petrolatum.

   Any product containing petrolatum—like petroleum jelly—is also not advised, as they can trap the heat within your skin.

6. Do: Hydrate.

   Bad sunburns can cause you to lose water very quickly from your skin. Though this doesn’t have a direct effect on your skin, it can cause other not-so-fun conditions like dehydration and fatigue. So do yourself a favor and stay hydrated.

7. Do: Take an Advil.

   The AAD recommends anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), to help reduce pain and redness. If your sunburn is severe, over-the-counter hydrocortisone can also be helpful.

Stock up on hint sunscreen spray and keep that sunburn at bay.

How else do you treat a sunburn? Share any tips below.

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