What to do if your skin gets sunburned

Remember what we, the inhabitants of central Russia, do on the very first clear spring day? That’s right, we expose the sun to the face and everything that can be substituted. In the summer, we generally come off to the fullest and fry on the beach to the state of well done. So we compensate for the lack of ultraviolet radiation in the autumn-winter period – and the skin gets sunburn.

What you need to know about sunburn

Although ultraviolet makes up only 3% of the solar spectrum, this is more than enough to damage the skin. Here’s what’s happening to her.

Since the penetrating power of B-rays is low, the energy of photons is absorbed by epidermal cells – keratinocytes, immune Langerhans cells, melanocytes. Their structure and work are disturbed, some of them die. The resulting inflammatory reaction of the skin is a burn.

Open areas are most at risk of burning: face, hands, ears, parting area on the scalp.

There are several stages of sun damage to the skin.

  1. XNUMXst degree burn

    Redness (erythema) of the skin develops within 1,5–4 hours. Later there is a burning sensation, sometimes a slight swelling. Discomfort lasts 2-4 days, then the skin calms down, but peeling is observed.

  2. Second degree burn

    Erythema is strong – the skin is rich red, sometimes burgundy. Blisters with liquid inside appear on damaged areas. General weakness and even fever are possible. The skin is restored within 1-2 weeks, begins to peel off in layers.

The intensity of a sunburn depends on several factors:

  • time spent in the sun;

  • geographic latitude of the area;

  • seasons of the year;

  • individual features of the skin, phototype.

To date, it has already been proven that even two-thirds of the minimum erythemal dose of UV radiation causes numerous and irreversible damage to cell DNA.

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Prevention of sunburn

So that the burn does not spoil the rest, it is enough to follow simple rules.

Umbrella, sunscreen, water are the main protectors from excessive ultraviolet radiation.

  1. Sunbathe during safe hours: before 11.00:16 and after 00:15. Start with 1 minutes of exposure to the sun, gradually increasing the time to 1,5-XNUMX hours. It’s enough.

  2. Avoid exposure to the open sun. Sunbathe under an awning or umbrella. Sunburn will not be worse, and the likelihood of getting burned is less.

  3. Use sunscreen that suits your phototype. Even sunscreen with SPF 50 will allow you to tan.

  4. Apply sunscreen carefully and evenly.

  5. Renew protection every two hours and after every swim.

  6. Eat more foods rich in lycopene. These include tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelons, red peppers, and currants. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that provides additional UV protection.

  7. Avoid sun exposure if you are taking photosensitizing medications: tetracycline antibiotics, some heart drugs, the antimicrobial agent biseptol, etc.

  8. Do not use cosmetics with components that can cause photosensitivity: retinoids, essential oils of bergamot, orange.

  9. Wear long sleeves, a hat and sunglasses.

  10. Read more about safe tanning here.

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What to do if you get sunburn

If you were not aware of the precautions listed above and did get a sunburn, take steps to alleviate the skin condition.

  • Cool down your skin by taking a cool bath or shower. You can spray the affected areas with thermal water – just do it indoors, not on the beach.

  • If the affected areas are small, apply a damp cotton pad or a cloth moistened with water for 2-3 minutes.

  • Apply a product marked after sun. As a rule, such creams contain aloe extract or juice, allantoin, panthenol.

  • Treat the affected areas with ointment or balm with panthenol, allantoin, and any other restorative ingredients. This is important to do every day until the skin is completely restored.

  • Go outside only after applying a high SPF cream. Hide burned areas under clothing.

  • Don’t pop blisters. Do not apply any funds to them until the liquid disappears completely.

Inadmissible!

Smear the burnt areas with yogurt, sour cream or kefir. These folk remedies are not only useless, but also dangerous. You can bring bacteria into the affected and defenseless skin, thereby increasing inflammation.

Sour cream and especially yogurt are good for the skin. But only if they are applied internally, and not externally. Especially for burns.

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The choice of remedies for sunburned skin

Apply products that improve the condition of the skin after sunburn. They contain moisturizing and soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, green tea extracts. As well as components that restore the skin: panthenol, allantoin, alpha-bisabolol.

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An overview of remedies for sunburn for the skin of the face and body

Refreshing cream after sun “Expert protection”, Garnier

“Cold cream” – what you need when the skin is burned in the sun. Refreshes, nourishes, fills with moisture, returns a feeling of comfort.

Moisturizing refreshing after-sun spray with cactus extract, Garnier

After applying this product, the skin is guaranteed an anti-stress effect and moisturizing for 24 hours.

Refreshing gel “Protection and hydration” Sublime Sun, L’Oréal Paris

The extract of green tea in the composition has antioxidant properties, aloe vera soothes and moisturizes. In addition, the formula has an interesting property to lower skin temperature by 3 degrees.

SOS-balm to restore the skin with sunburn Capital Idéal Soleil, Vichy

The feeling of discomfort and burning of the skin is eliminated by shea butter, epiloba extract. The skin becomes elastic and hydrated.

Revitalizing after-sun face and body Posthelios, La Roche-Posay

Shea butter, similar in characteristics to the skin’s own lipids, restores its protective mantle. Alpha-bisabolol softens, moisturizes, reduces irritation. Allantoin promotes recovery.

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