Sunburn is a common reason for your skin to peel. When it gets warm outside, you might want to soak up the sun, but if you don’t use sunscreen, your skin can burn from the sun’s rays, causing your skin to peel. Sunburn happens because of various factors, like how long you’re in the sun, the time of day, how strong the sun’s rays are, your skin type, and if you use any treatments. Sunburn not only makes your skin peel and feel uncomfortable but also raises the chance of skin cancer. So, how can you avoid it, and is there a way to treat it? We’ve got the answers in this article. Keep reading to find out!
Why Does Sunburn Peel?
When you get a sunburn, your skin feels sore and looks red, but this doesn’t last forever. After a while, your skin might start to peel. Here’s why: the sun’s rays can harm the DNA in your skin cells, and these damaged cells eventually shed away. It’s a natural process – even without sunburn, your skin cells are always renewing themselves. But a sunburn speeds things up and causes visible peeling.
However, if your sunburn comes with painful blisters, nausea, fever, chills, feeling lightheaded, or a rapid heartbeat, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice, as per MedlinePlus.
What Happens When You Get Sunburned?
When your skin gets too much sun, it hurts the skin cells on the outer layer called the epidermis. Your body’s defense system tries to fix the damage by making those hurt cells peel off.
How Long Does Sunburn Peel Last?
The good news is that sunburn peeling doesn’t last too long. It usually starts about three days to a week after you get sunburned. Most of the time, the peeling goes away once your skin is all better. This whole process might take about two weeks.
After the skin has been damaged, you can’t completely stop it from peeling. But you can help the healthy skin underneath heal better. How? Well, let’s check out the next part to learn!
How to Deal with Sunburn Peeling Skin?
1. Aloe Vera Gel:
Applying aloe vera gel on your sunburned skin helps calm and moisturize it. This reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process, making the skin peel less. You can use aloe vera directly from the plant or get a natural over-the-counter (OTC) product. Just avoid store-bought aloe vera gel with added chemicals, as it might make the irritation worse.
2. Cold Compress, Cold Showers, and Cool Baths
Using a cold compress or taking a cool shower or bath won’t make the peeling go away completely. But if your sunburn feels really hot, swollen, and uncomfortable, the coolness can give you some relief.
You can make a cold compress at home by putting ice cubes in a thick cloth bag or wrapping them in a washcloth. But never put ice right on your sunburned skin because it can make things worse by causing more damage and slowing down the healing.
3. Wear Loose Clothes:
Sunburn and tight clothes don’t mix well. Opt for loose, soft clothing to let your skin breathe and reduce rubbing and irritation.
4. Oatmeal Bath:
Colloidal oatmeal has special properties that can help soothe the dryness and discomfort caused by sunburn. It also helps your skin hold onto moisture, which is good for healing. Colloidal oatmeal isn’t the same as regular breakfast oatmeal, but you can make it at home by grinding uncooked oats into a fine powder. Mix 2-3 cups of this powder into a lukewarm or cool bath and soak in it for 10-15 minutes.
5. Use a Soothing Anti-Inflammatory Cream
To ease your sunburn, apply a cream with anti-inflammatory properties like aloe vera or cortisone cream. Alternatively, if you’re not allergic to aspirin, crush a few aspirin tablets into a fine powder and mix it with a little water to make a paste. Gently apply this paste to the sunburned areas.
Avoid creams that contain petroleum or oils as they can trap heat and worsen your sunburn and peeling. For best results, moisturize your skin right after bathing when it’s still damp to lock in moisture.
6. Don’t Peel:
It’s not a good idea to peel off the sunburned skin. Doing so can lead to infections and expose skin that isn’t ready, possibly causing scarring.
7. Stay Hydrated:
Hydration is important for your skin, especially when it’s damaged like after a sunburn. Drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do to help your skin heal from the inside out. So, grab a big glass of water to keep your skin and body happy. Related……….How much water should you drink per day?
Other Home Remedies:
While there isn’t strong scientific evidence, some home remedies are safe to try unless you’re allergic or sensitive to them. You can experiment with:
- Applying menthol shaving cream to your skin.
- Adding baking soda to a cool bath.
- Applying honey to the sunburned area.
Now, let’s explore some tips in the next section to help you prevent sunburn peeling. Keep reading for more information.
How to Prevent Sunburn Peeling?
Preventing sunburn peeling can be challenging once your skin cells are damaged, but you can reduce it by minimizing inflammation right after the burn. Dr. Chimento recommends using anti-inflammatories for severe burns, like over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. She suggests Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream or Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Gel containing aloe vera.
To prevent future sunburns and peeling, take steps to avoid sunburns altogether. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, apply it 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. If you dislike greasy or bothersome sunscreens, find one that suits you better.
Opting for sun-protective clothing with a UPF of at least 30 is a wise choice. If you don’t have UPF clothing, look for dark or densely woven fabric in your closet. You can check a fabric’s sun protection by holding it to the light—if it’s see-through, it offers minimal protection.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention for Sunburn Peeling?
While sunburn peeling is usually a normal part of the healing process, there are cases where you should seek medical help. Contact a doctor if you experience:
- Swelling.
- Fluid oozing from the affected area.
- Inflamed or yellowing blisters.
- Fever, nausea, or chills.
You can also consult a dermatologist for personalized sunburn treatment options. Generally, home remedies like aloe vera and cold compresses can ease symptoms and promote faster healing. Medical treatment is rarely needed, but it’s crucial if you notice severe symptoms or signs of infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is lotion or aloe better for sunburn?
Both lotion and aloe vera are helpful for sunburn. You can use a lotion or gel containing aloe to soothe inflammation and moisturize your skin. Avoid using lotions with petroleum-based ingredients until your skin is fully healed.
2. Is coconut oil good for sunburn?
Coconut oil can help hydrate your skin and prevent dryness caused by sunburn. However, it’s best to apply coconut oil once your skin has completely healed.
3. Does peeling sunburn turn into a tan?
No, peeling sunburn won’t give you a tan. In fact, it might make your existing tan lighter and fade more quickly. Avoid using tanning products while your skin is peeling to prevent uneven results.
4. Is Vicks Vaporub good for sunburn?
While some people find relief from sunburn with Vicks Vaporub, there’s no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness for this purpose.
Main Points to Remember
- Sunburn can lead to peeling skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.
- Peeling occurs when the top layer of skin is damaged.
- Prevent sunburn and peeling by wearing protective clothing and applying high-SPF sunscreen.
- Soothe sunburn with aloe vera, cold compresses, over-the-counter pain medication, and proper hydration.
- Seek immediate dermatological help if you experience fever, blisters, or nausea.
Sunburn may be painful, but peeling is your body’s natural defense against skin cancer.
