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Hey, we get it.
If you’re wondering how to treat sunburn, aloe isn’t your only option.
SPF software doesnt always go exactly as planned, though, and a sunburn could happen quickly.
Theres ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, which is the kind that causes skin aging (a.k.a.
photoaging) by weakening the skins strength and elasticity, contributing todarker spots, uneven texture, and wrinkling.
And then theres ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, which can result in sunburns.
Both types of radiation can increase your risk ofskin cancer.
But that can only help so much,even in people with darker skin.
This is more colloquially referred to as sun poisoning, explains Dr. Chon.
How long does sunburn last?
And do sunburns always turn into a tan?
So naturally, youll want to cool it down as much as possible to tame the inflammation.
If you’ve got the option to submerge yourself in a cool bath, even better.
As soon as you get out of the tub or shower, gently pat yourself dry.
Leave a little moisture on your skin, then apply a moisturizer, theAADadvises.
This helps trap the water on your skin and can reducedrynessthat would exacerbate your irritation.
There seem to be a few go-to staples in terms of what to put on a sunburn.
Here are a fewsunburn relief productsthat SELF editors tried and loved.
In general, take a pass on using these local anesthetics if you have a painful sunburn.
They can irritate your tender skin or even cause an allergic reaction, theMayo Clinicsays.
(This includes fluids from drinks like coffee and the foods you eat.)
Alternately, dont stop there if you feel parched.
Listen to your body when it comes to thirst.
Its very drying, Dr. Chon explains, which could irritate your sunburn further.
You just overheated your whole body, Dr. Chon says.
Though its super tempting to pop them, try your very best not to.
Theres a chance your sunburn could be even more severe depending on how much of your body its covering.
On vacation with a really bad sunburn?
You should try an urgent-care or walk-in health clinic if you have severe sunburn symptoms, Dr. Chon says.
Unfortunately,peeling skinmay also happen as a result of sunburn.
According to theMayo Clinic, this happens when the top layer of skin is damaged.
Keeping the areas moisturized is your best bet.
A great way to do that: Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen!
That includes wearing it even on cloudy and overcast days.
But thats not the only sun-safety tip that should be in your arsenal.
TheSkin Cancer Foundationhas some great information on sun-safe clothing.
Stacking one sunburn on top of another is not a great idea, Dr. Rosenbach says.
