Sunburn is damaged skin caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The skin becomes red, warm, and painful because the blood vessels dilate to bring healing cells to the area. Treatment focuses on cooling the skin, reducing pain, and keeping the skin moist while it repairs itself. Start treatment as soon as you notice the burn. The sooner you act, the more comfortable you will be.
How To Treat Sunburn Immediately
Get out of the sun right away. Further exposure will only make the damage worse. Move indoors or into full shade.
Take a cool bath or shower. Cool water helps lower skin temperature and soothes the pain. Avoid very cold water or ice, which can damage already irritated skin. Keep the water lukewarm to cool, not freezing.
After bathing, gently pat your skin dry. Do not rub. Rubbing can peel off damaged skin layers and increase irritation.
Apply a moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. This traps water in the skin and helps prevent dryness and peeling. Aloe vera gel or a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer works well. Keep the product in the refrigerator for extra cooling relief.
How To Treat Sunburn Pain and Swelling
Over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Ibuprofen and naproxen reduce both pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen reduces pain but does not reduce swelling. Follow the dosing instructions on the package.
Apply a cool compress to the most painful areas. Soak a clean cloth in cool water, wring it out, and lay it over the burn for 15 minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day.
If the burn is on your legs, elevate them. Swelling in the feet and ankles is common after a leg sunburn. Raising the legs above heart level helps fluid drain away.
Do not break blisters. Blisters are part of the skin’s natural healing process. They protect the raw skin underneath from infection. If a blister breaks on its own, wash the area gently with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a loose bandage.
How To Treat Sunburn While It Heals
Keep the burned skin moisturized. Apply lotion several times a day. This does not stop peeling, but it reduces itching and makes the skin feel less tight.
Drink extra water. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of your body. This can lead to mild dehydration. Water and other clear fluids help your body recover.
Wear loose clothing. Tight fabrics rub against the burn and cause pain. Choose soft, breathable materials like cotton.
Stay out of the sun until the burn heals completely. Sunburned skin has no natural protection. Going back into the sun before healing causes more damage.
Peeling usually starts a few days after the burn. Let it happen naturally. Do not pull at loose skin. Pulling can tear healthy skin underneath and lead to scarring.
When To See a Doctor for Sunburn
Most sunburns can be treated at home. Some require medical care.
Seek medical help if you have any of these signs:
- Blisters covering a large portion of your body
- Fever, chills, or headache
- Dizziness, confusion, or fainting
- Signs of infection, such as pus, increasing pain, or red streaks
- Sunburn that does not improve after a few days
Severe sunburn can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. A doctor can provide fluids and stronger pain relief if needed. Do not wait if you feel seriously ill.
Do Sunburn Home Remedies Actually Work?
Many home remedies circulate online. Some help. Some do nothing. Some make things worse.
Aloe vera is the best-studied home treatment. Research consistently shows it soothes skin and supports healing. Use pure aloe gel, not products with added alcohol or fragrance.
Cool yogurt or milk applied to the skin can feel soothing. The cool temperature helps. There is no strong evidence that the dairy itself speeds healing. Rinse it off after 15-20 minutes to avoid clogged pores.
Baking soda paste is not recommended. It can dry out the skin and worsen irritation.
Vinegar can sting and may irritate damaged skin. No clinical evidence confirms it helps sunburn.
Tea bags placed on the skin contain tannins, which some believe reduce inflammation. The evidence is limited. Cool compresses work just as well without the mess.
Skip any remedy that involves butter, cooking oil, or toothpaste. These trap heat in the skin and can introduce bacteria. They do not treat sunburn.
How Long Does Sunburn Last?
The worst pain usually peaks 24 to 48 hours after sun exposure. Redness and discomfort typically fade within three to five days. Peeling may continue for another week.
The skin’s deeper repair takes much longer. The DNA damage caused by UV radiation is not visible. Your skin works for weeks to repair it. This is why a single bad sunburn can have consequences long after the redness fades.
Repeated sunburns increase the risk of premature aging and skin cancer. The damage is cumulative. Every burn adds to the total.
Some research suggests that five or more blistering sunburns in youth significantly increase the risk of melanoma later in life. Even without blisters, every sunburn causes cellular damage that your body must repair.
How To Prevent Sunburn in the First Place
Prevention is always better than treatment. Sunburn is entirely preventable.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it generously to all exposed skin. Most people apply far too little. A full body application requires about one ounce, roughly the size of a shot glass.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours. Reapply more often if you are swimming or sweating. Water-resistant does not mean waterproof.
Wear protective clothing. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves block UV rays physically. Clothing is the most reliable form of sun protection because it cannot wash off.
Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when UV radiation is strongest. Even in shade, reflected light from sand, water, and snow can still cause burning.
Do not use tanning beds. They emit UV radiation that damages skin just like the sun. There is no safe way to tan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pop sunburn blisters?
No. Blisters protect the healing skin underneath from infection. Let them break on their own.
Can I put ice directly on a sunburn?
No. Ice can damage already irritated skin and cause frostbite. Use cool compresses or a cool bath instead.
Does peeling mean the burn is healing?
Yes. Peeling is a normal part of the skin’s repair process. Let it happen naturally and keep the area moisturized.
How long until sunburn redness goes away?
Redness usually fades within three to five days. The worst pain typically peaks in the first 48 hours.
