Avoiding Sun Exposure

The sun’s UVB rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or if you live in an area with daylight savings time, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

To protect your skin you should be wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt. If you’re sitting for any period of time, remain under an umbrella or a large tree. And of course, wear sunscreen and reapply it every two hours that you spend outdoors.

Treating sunburn

If you become sunburned in spite of taking these precautions or you forget to reapply sunscreen or run out, here are some tips to reduce pain and the injury to your skin, and help it heal:

1.    Use tepid or slightly colder water to cool down your skin and apply moisturizer immediately. Sunburned skin has been stripped of moisture and to promote healing, you need to hydrate the skin. Unfortunately, your skin is going to peel eventually, but keep applying moisturizer during this process to maintain hydration.

2.    Use aspirin or another anti-inflammatory to reduce redness—take it as soon as possible after you get sunburn to reduce significant redness.

3.    Pure Aloe Vera Gel – to soothe your skin, use this common treatment.

4.    Natural remedies – ice and cucumbers can provide some relief and cool your skin.

If your skin is burnt badly enough that it starts to blister or even bleed, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to prevent skin infections.