How to treat your sunburn: Four tips from a dermatologist

In an ideal world, all sunburns would be prevented — but with summer in full swing here in Miami, staying out of the sun is a tall order. If you do happen to get sunburned, try these four tips to treat and soothe redness, itching and heat, and then take steps to prevent sunburns in the future!

ANTIOXIDANTS AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals caused by UV rays, which can otherwise cause cellular damage if left unchecked. You can get extra antioxidants by taking 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day, taking Heliocare supplements and eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants such as blueberries and cranberries. Antioxidants can also be applied topically to your skin, such as topical vitamin C and vitamin E.

Both topical and oral anti-inflammatories will help to reduce redness and itching caused by a sunburn. Argan oil is one example of a topical antiinflammatory ingredient that can reduce inflammation, thanks to its soothing lipids. You can also take one ibuprofen every four hours to reduce inflammation.

COOL COMPRESSES

Green tea is another anti-inflammatory ingredient that can help to reduce inflammation. Make a cool compress with green tea and apply to the burned areas to reduce inflammation and offer relief from heat and itching.

VITAMIN E

If your sunburned skin begin to blister, apply vitamin E oil to the blistered area. Try to avoid scratching or peeling blisters. If you must pop the blister, do it gently with a sterile needle and do not peel off the surface skin, because it will protect the skin underneath and help it feel better.

AVOID EXFOLIATION

Do not exfoliate areas of your skin that are currently sunburned, and avoid pulling or picking peeling skin. This will allow your skin to heal on its own without creating complications.

SUNBURN PREVENTION

Once you’ve successfully treated your sunburn, assess why you burned and make a habit change so that it does not happen again. The more sunburns you have, the higher your risk for melanoma.

Additionally, make sure you are getting your skin checked for signs of melanoma twice a year by a board-certified dermatologist.

To stay in the know about the latest skincare research and ingredients, follow Baumann Cosmetic on YouTube or @BaumannCosmetic on Instagram or Facebook.