Don't worry, we're not here to scold you. Your skin has had enough of that if it's begging for a soothing sunburn treatment right now. Instead, we'll just drop in a gentle reminder that it's worth slathering yourself in SPF every day during the summer to avoid the pain of getting caught out.
Because, while it's easy to think getting frazzled skin can't be that bad, it can cause long-term skin damage after the redness has disappeared. Think wrinkles, slack skin and uneven skin tone - all things we try to prevent with our pricey skincare routines.
More worrying still, research published by The Skin Cancer Foundation shows that having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for skin cancer.
“Sunburn is skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays, both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B," says skin cancer expert Dr Paul Banwell. When the skin absorbs these rays, it triggers an inflammatory response known as sunburn. "UVB rays cause redness while UVA rays can also cause cancer as well as ageing of the skin," he adds.
Unfortunately, we don't have a magic wand to reverse what's already happened, but there are a number of ways to soothe and nourish your damaged skin, so we've grilled the experts for nine failsafe solutions. Pull up a spot in the shade and listen in…
HOW TO TREAT A SUNBURN
In the initial hours after you have a burn, your body is trying to respond to that external trauma by increasing blood flow to that area, which is why it goes very red.
With increased blood flow comes an increase of inflammation in that area, so you may want to take over-the-counter pain relief. “This can help reduce both pain and inflammation caused by sunburn," says consultant dermatologist, Dr Anjali Mahto. "Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are ideal (provided you are safe to take this type of drug) and should be continued for a period of 48 hours. Paracetamol can help with pain but will have very little effect on inflammation.”
If things are still painful, “you can use a mild steroid cream – 0.5-1% hydrocortisone – for 38 hours to help decrease pain and swelling caused by sunburn and speed up the healing process,” she says, although "this is best avoided in children."
At the first sign of too much sun, “apply a cool compress such as a towel dampened with cool water for 15 minutes, or take a cool bath or shower,” says Dr Mahto. “Aim to keep the temperature just below lukewarm in all three cases. Make sure the shower has a gentle flow of water rather than being on full power. If blisters are starting to develop, then a bath is preferable. Do not rub your skin with a towel, but gently pat it dry when you get out.”
Don't have a cool compress? Slather the area in cold plain yoghurt; the probiotics will help restore your natural skin barrier while soothing the skin.
Sun damage will make your skin extra sensitive, so make sure you take a look at your current skincare routine and remove any actives or acids. And definitely don't use any physical or chemical exfoliants for a few days as they're too harsh on healing skin.
In the few days after sunburn, you'll want to lay off using too much skincare. The skin needs a chance to calm down, and using too much can be counterproductive.
But what you do use should be ultra-calming and gentle. For cleanser, we recommend La Roche Posay Toleriane Cleanser followed by Dermalogica's Calm Water Gel if you have normal to dry skin for a light but soothing hit of hydration.
One of the best SOS soothing creams I've used for any type of sensitivity or post-treatment redness is Kate Somerville's ultra-rich DeliKate Recovery Cream. It dials down redness and improves the feel of sensitive skin really fast and I like that it's packed with ceramides and peptides to strengthen the skin's barrier.
Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream
Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream
- Consistency: Rich but comfortable
- Skin type: Sensitive and sensitised skin
- Key ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter, glycerin, peptides.
- Pros: Ultra soothing and cocooning
- Cons: Pretty expensive.
Why we love it: This was specifically developed (and clinically tested) with sensitive and sensitised skin in mind. Ceramides and peptides calm and soften irritable skin and help to rebuild compromised skin barriers. "This is ultra-nourishing but it doesn’t feel claustrophobic and it’s my go-to if my face is having a proper mare, feels extra sensitive, or when I get dry patches that refuse to budge," – Elle Turner, GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor.
After a sunburn, it’s important to apply moisturiser to replenish lost hydration and restore the skin’s moisture barrier. Dr Adam Friedmann, consultant dermatologist for Stratum Dermatology Clinics, says: "As soon as you get out of the bath or shower, gently pat yourself dry, leaving a little water on your skin. Then apply a moisturiser to trap the water on your skin."
It's also worth looking for a lotion laced with aloe vera. “Aloe vera not only has a cooling effect on the skin but also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent,” adds Dr Mahto. “Be wary of creams containing ingredients such as petrolatum, benzocaine or lidocaine which may trap heat in the skin or cause local irritation.”
If your sunburn is so bad that it begins to blister or peel, whatever you do, avoid the temptation to break or pull on the skin. Blisters popping up is your body's way of creating a natural barrier to help the skin heal. Prising away the dead skin cells prematurely can lead to increased irritation and possible infection.
Dr Friedmann says: "Sunburn draws fluid to the skin's surface and away from the rest of the body so drinking plenty of extra water prevents dehydration."
It may sound bizarre but oatmeal baths are great for soothing sore, itchy skin and keeping your skin protected.
If you don't have any oatmeal products to hand (Aveeno is a great one), you can make your own by by grinding a cup of oatmeal in the blender and pouring it into a bath of lukewarm water. Sit back and relax, ensuring your skin is totally covered. Follow up with a thick moisturiser.
“Cover up the affected areas and stay in the shade until your sunburn has healed,” says Dr Mahto. "Wear loose cotton clothing that allows your skin to 'breathe'."
What if my sunburn is severe?
"Severe cases of sunburn require emergency medical treatment," advises Dr. Mahto. “If you develop blisters that affect up to 20 percent of your body surface area or other symptoms such as fever, nausea, chills, severe pain, headache, fainting or dizziness it is vital you seek medical attention. Severe sunburn can be associated with heat exhaustion or heat stroke which are life-threatening.”
How to protect your skin in future?
When it comes to sunscreen on your face, dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting recommends her 13 Dot technique. “By systematically applying small dots of sunscreen across your face, you can ensure every area is adequately protected,” she says. "This technique is especially useful for those who tend to miss spots or apply sunscreen unevenly."
