This is What You Should Never Do If You Get Sunburn

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After a long day spent outdoors in the summer sun you step inside and begin to notice that the light pink on your skin is quickly turning into a dark shade of red. The stinging pain of your irritated skin is definitely one of the most unpleasant aspects of summer. Immediate action is required to prevent lasting damage to the skin.


Use scented aloe

Aloe Vera is often recommend as one of the best treatments for sunburn. It is a natural remedy and has anti-inflammatory properties. Just be careful not to get the scented kind. You skin is very sensitive when you have a sunburn and different scents can really irritate it. Stick to the fragrance-free option.


Apply regular chemical-based sunscreen

Sunscreen lotions are designed to prevent sunburn. Once you get it they are not the best option to treat the affected areas. Different wounds require different formulas. Most skincare products contain strong ingredients such as chemicals and dyes that can only irritate sunburned and very delicate skin further.



The thought alone is painful. Loofahs, buffs, body brushes, washcloths - they will all effectivale scratch the vulnerable skin, irritating and preventing it from healing. Don't use any products that contain glycolic acid, retinoid, or salicylic acid. Wait a few days after the burned skin has completely peeled off before exfoliating.


Go back into the sun

This is common sense but many people ignore it. The skin is damaged and any extra UV exposure will only cause further damage. The outer pores are now prone to infections Depending on how you perceive pain you may feel like you are burning alive. The burned skin has to heal before you expose it to harmful rays again. 


Apply creams with alcohol

Alcohol strips away the natural oils in the skin. Applying it over burn skin will not help; it will only hinder its ability to heal, causing in effect more harm than good.


Cover the burn with makeup

It's true that sunburn are not aesthetically pretty but covering them up is a very bad idea. Leave the burned skin alone and don't suffocate it. This may cause bacteria buildup and a layer of dirt to form on your skin.


Never scratch the spot

It may feel as a relief, but it's only temporary and the feeling right after scratching is much worse. Not to mention that scratching just damages the vulnerable skin, increasing pain and lengthening the healing and soothing process.


Never peel the skin

Moisturize your skin, don't peel it. Let the skin peel on its own naturally. Don't even think about doing it yourself because this will only increase the risk for scarring. Different parts of the skin peel at different rates. It usually take up to four days after the redness has gone away.


Never pop blisters

If your skin blisters, don't pop them because that makes the sunburn worse. Blistering skin means you have a second-degree sunburn, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Allow the blisters to heal and protect you from infection.


Don't take a warm bath

That's just like rubbing salt into an open wound. Use cold water, shower or bath to soothe the skin. The balmy water will do the exact opposite, leaving you feeling miserable.


Waiting to take anti-inflammatories

At the first sign of sunburn, taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, can help with discomfort and inflammation, according to the Skin Care Foundation.


Use butter on your sunburn

This is not folk remedy you should skip. The butter will only seal the air off and even hold the heat in, causing the skin to continue to burn. Just keep that in mind: Home remedies can be unsafe because they are not usually clean.


Or egg whites

Another home remedy you should steer clear of. The reason is that uncooked eggs - or anything uncooked for that matter - provide a heaven for bacteria to grow. Also, never do this if you are allergic to eggs.   


Skipping the water glass

Burns draw fluid to the skin's surface and away from the rest of the body, so you may become dehydrated, according to the Skin Care Foundation. It's important to rehydrate by drinking extra liquids - water is always best - that help to replenish electrolytes so the skin heals.


Wear tight clothes

Why would you wear tight clothes in the summer in the first place? Loose clothes are a better choice, and the best option if you're dealing with sunburns. The skin needs to be able to breathe, something tight clothing will prevent from happening. Also, tight clothe will just rub against the skin, irritating it and hindering the healing process.


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