How to Get Rid of a Sunburn

Summer is a time when people enjoy the beautiful weather and summer events. It brings along with it the bright sun, shining at its peak all afternoon.

It is recommended that you cover your skin when out in the sun, but wearing long sleeves, hats, and scarves in the scorching summer heat are the last thing you want to do.

But, if you don’t put on sunscreen, you can pretty much count on having to deal with a painful and itchy sunburn.

Excess exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun burns the skin, causing redness and swelling. Dealing with a suntan is a cosmetic issue for many, but sunburn can leave you in a world of hurt.

Moderate sunburns heal within a week, but getting rid of severe sunburns may take up to two weeks. With severe sunburns, painful blisters may appear on the skin. Once the sunburn has healed, the burned skin may continue to peel and flake through subsequent weeks.

If you’re worried about all the sundresses you won’t be wearing because of your lobster-red sunburned skin, take comfort that every problem has a solution.

Many lotions and ointments available in the market for treating sunburns are often full of chemicals that can further damage the skin in other ways. Why take a chance when you can get rid of a sunburn using all-natural remedies?

The first thing you should do immediately after getting sunburned is to run cool water on the affected skin. Then, you can use natural home remedies to help your skin heal.

Method 1: Apple Cider Vinegar

An effective remedy for various skin conditions like fungal infections, apple cider vinegar has been a tried-and-true method for many suffering from sunburns.

Not only does it act as an anti-inflammatory agent for sunburned skin, but it also prevents blistering, making it a first-choice remedy.

Single-Step Treatment: Dilute apple cider vinegar & spray on the sunburn

• Fill a small spray bottle halfway with water.
• Fill up the remaining half with apple cider vinegar.
• Spray the diluted apple cider vinegar on the sunburned skin to get instant relief from the inflammation and prevent blistering.

Repeat every 4 to 5 hours for 3 to 4 days, or until the skin is healed.

Method 2: Aloe Vera Gel

Often known as the ‘burn plant,’ aloe vera is used in many sunscreen lotions. This natural salve boosts healing of the skin.

Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties reduce the itching and pain of burns as well as rashes.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply aloe vera gel on the sunburned skin

• Using a cotton ball, apply aloe vera gel on the affected skin. Cold aloe vera gel right out of the refrigerator is recommended.
• Let the aloe sit on the skin for at least 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off.

Do this 2 or 3 times a day to get quick relief from the sunburn pain. Continue with the remedy for 4 to 5 days for complete recovery.

Method 3: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can give you gorgeous skin, and it’s also widely used to keep the skin healthy by protecting it from harmful UV sun rays.

The medium-chain fatty acids present in the oil relieve skin inflammation and soothe your skin. The oil also heals and repairs sunburn damaged skin.

Single-Step Treatment: Lightly rub the oil on the sunburned area

• Apply organic coconut oil to the sunburned skin using your fingers.
• Do not wash it off. Preferably, apply the oil before going to bed, so that it can work overnight for better results and quicker healing.

Apply 2 to 3 times daily for 4 to 5 days to get rid of sunburn.

Method 4: Tea

Tea is rich in tannins, which are effective in reducing inflammation in burned skin and speeding up the healing process. They also protect the skin from UV rays.

Plus, the antioxidants in tea help prevent free-radical damage to the skin.

Step 1. Brew the tea bags in warm water

• Drop 2 or 3 tea bags into 2 cups of warm water.
• Let the tea brew for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the tea bags from the water.
• Allow the tea to cool down to room temperature.

Step 2. Apply a tea compress to the affected area

• Soak a soft towel or a rag in the cooled tea and squeeze out the excess liquid.
• Apply the tea compress to the sunburned skin for about 10 minutes at a time.

Do this 2 or 3 times a day for 1 week to heal the sunburn.

Method 5: Yellow Mustard

Applying cold yellow mustard a popular sunburn remedy for some people. While there are no scientific studies to speak of endorsing its efficacy, there’s overwhelming anecdotal evidence supporting its effectiveness.

The vinegar present in yellow mustard seems to be responsible for drawing the heat out of the skin.

The gooey texture of the mustard helps it stay on the skin for a long time, also keeping it cool. In cases of severe sunburns, applying mustard may prevent blisters.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply yellow mustard to the affected area

• Use a cotton ball to apply regular yellow mustard, straight from the refrigerator, on the sunburned skin.
• Leave it on the skin for 30 minutes or until it dries.
• Wash it off with cold water.

Do this 2 or 3 times a day for 1 week to get rid of sunburn. You’ll likely find that yellow mustard immediately soothes the burn.

Method 6: Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has antiseptic properties that soothe the burned skin and relieve the itching caused by a sunburn.

It is highly alkaline in nature, which helps skin retain its pH level, further promoting the healing process.

Step 1. Add water to baking soda

• Put 1 tablespoon of baking soda into a bowl.
• Add 1 cup of water to it.

Step 2. Stir it well and apply it on the sunburned skin

• Stir the baking soda and water to mix it up completely. It should form a thick paste-like consistency. Make sure it’s not too runny, or it will slide off your skin.
• Apply the mixture to the burned area, wash it off after 30 minutes.

Regular application 2 or 3 times a day for about 1 week will help get rid of sunburn and heal your skin.

Additional Tips

• Even though the above methods work very well for healing sunburn, consult a skin specialist if the burns are very severe.
• Sunburn is technically an actual burn and can permanently damage skin cells from drying them out to destroying tissue, even skin cancer.
• Avoid sunburn in the first place, especially if you have light skin or are prone to burning.
• Remember on a sunny day you can even get a burn in the shade from reflected rays.
• Protect yourself from direct sun exposure by covering yourself with clothing or using a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF).
• Among the easiest way to prevent sunburn is to allow your skin to acclimate by limiting exposure to only 5-10 minutes at a time at first, and get out of the sun every half hour to give the skin a chance to cool down and recover.
• Immediately rinsing the affected area with cool water or applying a cold compress helps cool down the burn. Lightly pat dry the skin or let it air-dry before using any of the above remedies.
• Drink plenty of water and don’t let your body dehydrate due to the summer heat.
• Eat fruits rich in vitamins C and E, such as papaya, pumpkin, oranges, and other citrus fruits. The vitamins will help speed up the healing process from within.
• All the above methods work on normal burns as well.

Summary of How to Get Rid of a Sunburn

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