Spending time out in the sun whether you’re on vacation or at home may sound like a nice idea, but not wearing enough sunscreen with zinc oxide can lead to the dreaded sunburn.
No one wants to get a sunburn. If you forgot to reapply your sunscreen– or worse yet, didn’t apply at all– there are some at home treatments you can do to help limit the damage.
The moment you notice some redness, damage has already occurred, so it is important to act fast. Redness is your skin’s reaction to too much ultraviolet exposure.
This is why immediately taking a dose of ibuprofen to lessen the inflammation is a good idea. Make sure to keep this up for the next 48 hours.
After sunburn sinks in, your skin will start to lose moisture. You may even notice a feeling of tightness.
This is why staying hydrated is necessary.
A burn draws fluid from the rest of your body to the skin leaving you dehydrated. Make sure to drink extra water, fresh juices or coconut water for the next couple of days.
Another important thing to do for your skin is to moisturize. After your shower, make sure to slather on a heavy moisturizer that contains ceramides. A good example is CeraVe cream. Another good tip is to put aloe vera in your refrigerator, and then put it on the damaged areas throughout the day; not only does this help your skin, but it feels great!
Keeping your skin moisturized will help your skin from peeling and flaking.
Dr. Fardin recommends applying a topical antioxidant with green tea, like our “Super 3 Antioxidant Cream,” to help aid your skin in the healing process.
Another great treatment option for your skin is Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray with minerals, available at most drugstores.
Remember to hold back from scrubbing or picking off your skin if it does flake.
If for any reason you are worried about the effects of sun damage or have blistering, contact your dermatologist—especially if you or your child are suffering from fever and chills.
While it is almost impossible to remain out of the sun, being adamant about applying sunscreen, wearing hats and taking some time in the shade is key in avoiding damage.
What can I do once my burn is gone?
If you’re wondering if there are any treatments to help fix sun-damaged skin once your burns fades, there are!
One example is Laser Genesis. This procedure helps reverse sun damage. It’s a non-invasive laser that treats fine lines, redness and photodamaged (sun damaged) skin.
How does it work?
Laser Genesis heats the upper dermis below the skin’s surface, stimulating collagen regrowth to reduce damage, redness and the appearance of wrinkles.
You can expect four to six treatments for optimal results.
If you have any questions about treatment options, best sunscreens to use or how to protect yourself from the sun, call SMD to schedule a consultation today.