10 ways to heal a sunburn

• July 18, 2021

The heat! The sun! Let’s go spend the day outside! And the result? An unwanted sunburn 🌞

Well beauties, we’ve all been there. Even with all our good intentions of applying sunscreen, and with Dr. Costi’s warnings about being careful in the sun, it happens. We get sun-kissed so bad that it burns 🔥

Especially after the long periods of lockdown, we’re not used to the meticulous applying and reapplying of SPF- but this is our reminder right here.

So if you’re suffering from a sunburn or if you want to know how to heal one, here are some Dr. Costi-approved methods for making your sunburn feel better and go away faster.

🕶️ 👒⛱️

 

 

1. Stay cool 💦

First reflex when we have burning skin? Jump in some cold water. It will feel amazing and actually reduce inflammation.

But be careful when drying yourself, pat your skin gently with a soft towel so as not to aggravate it even more.

A cold compress will also bring relief to a sunburn. Place it over your skin to soothe any burning sensations and calm redness.

 

2. Take an anti-inflammatory

Taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or aspirin will help your sunburn go away faster. Keep taking it every few hours until the redness and swelling go down. “Then your skin cells can repair the sunburned skin’s barrier and generate new skin” explains Dr. Costi.

 

3. Hello Aloe

So of course you expected to see Aloe Vera on this list, but it’s for a good reason. According to Dr. Costi, Aloe is anti-inflammatory, meaning it calms the skin to reduce the redness and pain you’re dealing with.

And why not put the bottle in the fridge before applying it? The already cool gel will feel even better.

 

4. Use specific healing creams

If you have an itchy sunburn, an anti-itching cream like Daktacort is also anti-inflammatory, and so it’ll calm your skin down, according to Dr. Costi.

5. H2Ohhh

A sunburn attracts your body’s fluids to the skin’s surface and that makes us extra thirsty. So drink plenty of water to help make you feel better and keep you from getting dehydrated.

 

6. Got milk?

According to Dr. Costi, even if we don’t drink milk, we must acknowledge its healing power when applied to a sunburn. Milk contains vitamins A and D, which help repair damaged cells, and lactic acid, a gentle exfoliator that will help the dead skin peel right off.

7. Shade for now

Obviously, you will not want to go back out in the sun right now. However, if you have to, stay in the shade and stay covered in soft clothing that will protect your skin. And don’t forget your hat!

 

8. Protect with vaseline

To help a sunburn (or any burn) heal, you have to keep it covered- but NOT with a bandaid. Vaseline will form a protective barrier over your blister area and it will help heal your skin faster by sealing it entirely.

 

9. Avoid your skincare

If you’re suffering from a sunburn on your face, it’s a good idea to stay away from your usual skincare routine for a while. Exfoliators, toners, face masks, acne medications, and anti-aging products could aggravate your skin which is “Extra” sensitive right now.

 

10. Also avoid makeup

Right now you don’t want to cover your sensitive skin with anything that will stop it from breathing or that might create an infection. If you really must use something, use a light loose powder- and make sure you apply it with a clean brush.

Dr. Costi to the rescue 🦸‍♂️💖 

If you do have a sunburn, it’s always best to consult Dr. Costi and avoid further risk of developing skin cancer.

You know the rules for sun exposure! Never go out without sunscreen and don’t forget to reapply it every few hours for optimal coverage.