How to Heal Sunburns Fast

Sunburns require time to heal, but you can help the process. For a first-degree sunburn, which affects only the outer layer of the skin, your body needs time to regenerate the damaged skin. Initially, the skin will appear red and may peel as it begins to repair itself.

While your body's healing ability has its limits, here are some tips that can optimise the process:

Cool Bath

A cool bath or shower will help soothe your skin. Pat your skin dry gently, leaving it slightly damp, and then apply moisturiser to lock in water.

Aloe Vera

Applying aloe vera will help rehydrate skin and help prevent peeling, speeding your recovery time. Aloe vera contains aloin, which is known to reduce inflammation.

Stay hydrated

Sunburns can dehydrate your skin by drawing moisture away from it. Consuming plenty of fluids and electrolytes can help in rehydrating your skin.

Cold compress

If your sunburn is limited to a smaller area, you can use a cold compress such as a wet towel or washcloth to cool it down. This method helps to draw away excess heat from your skin and reduce inflammation.

Hydrocortisone cream

Hydrocortisone creams are used to alleviate swelling, redness, and itchiness. Applying a 1% over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams will help with irritation.

Pain reliever

Your body perceives a sunburn as an injury, triggering inflammation as a response. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen can provide relief from sunburn discomfort. This can also be beneficial if you're experiencing other sunburn symptoms, such as headache or fatigue.

Oatmeal bath

Adding a cup of whole oats to a cool bath is often recommended for sunburn relief. The oatmeal acts to soothe irritated skin and restore the skin's natural barrier, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that aid in skin healing. This can help reduce redness and swelling while promoting cell regeneration.