So, you got too much sun and didn’t apply (or reapply) your SPF. Now, you’re wondering how to get rid of sunburn fast, so you can get some relief for the lobster red, irritated skin. As diligent as we all are about wearing sunscreen, sunburns do happen, even to the best of us. Though you can’t get instant relief from a sunburn, there are plenty of ways to help your skin heal as painlessly and quickly as possible, you can reduce the redness, according to our experts, board-certified dermatologists Flora Kim, MD, and Amy Ross, MD, and honestly, that counts for something.
Though both dermatologists agree that prevention (read: not getting sunburned in the first place) is best, they also have plenty of tips on treating sunburns once they happen. From applying lotion to keep your skin moisturized to hopping into the bath, speeding up the sunburn healing process is possible with a few tips and tricks. Ahead, expert tips straight from the doctors on how to get rid of sumburn fast, so you can undo the damage caused by too much time in the sun and too little SPF ASAP.
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Is it possible to get rid of sunburn redness overnight?
The answer here is pretty much a resounding no, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore sunburnt skin. Even though you won’t see immediate results from tending to your skin after a burn, you should still take steps to heal your skin according to Ross.
“If left completely untreated, a sunburn can appear worse in the morning,” she says. This is because sunburns work on a timeline we’re not necessarily aware of. “Initial redness associated with sunburns can start as soon as 10 to 15 minutes after sun exposure, but can take up to 12 hours to peak and produce the intense and painful redness that anyone who has been sunburned has experienced.” With that in mind, start treating your sunburn ASAP.
How to treat a sunburn fast:
While it’s not possible to get rid of sunburn redness overnight, there are things you can do to start minimizing a sunburn as soon as you notice you’ve got one. You can work against a sunburn internally and externally.
Pop an ibuprofen.
Using an NSAID (a.k.a. a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like Advil or Aleve will provide some quick relief. “As an anti-inflammatory medication, it can really make a difference in limiting the inflammation, which is associated with the intense redness of a sunburn,” explains Dr. Ross. Make sure to drink plenty of water with your pain reliever, especially since being in the sun likely means your skin and body is experiencing dehydration.
Focus on staying cool.
Severe sunburns can be super uncomfy, but staying cool can help. Try a cool shower or bath to relieve some pain. Another quick home remedy: “Keeping the burn cool immediately with ice or other cold compress will help minimize the extent of the burn, if done acutely,” shares Dr. Kim, which means you want to place the ice/cold compress (a cold, damp washcloth can also do the trick) onto the affected area as quickly as possible. Dr. Kim also recommends applying “copious amounts of pure aloe vera gel” as often as every hour on the first day you’re sunburned. Another pro tip? “Keep the aloe vera gel in the refrigerator so that it is cooling and extra soothing when you apply it.”
How to get rid of sunburn redness quickly:
While your skin is sunburned, gentleness is key in all your treatments. Burned skin is extra sensitive, so make sure that you’re steering clear of potential skin irritants.
Use gentle products.
Dr. Ross cautions, “be careful the products [you apply to a sunburn] do not contain alcohol, which will further dry and irritate.” Other ingredients to steer clear of include retinols or retinoids or any type of acids (AHAs, BHAs, and others) or peels, Dr. Kim shares. Plus, these will make your skin even more photosensitive, AKA even more prone to burning.
Look for healing ingredients.
Instead, for sunburn relief, Dr. Kim recommends you “use super-gentle, repairing, healing, hydrating body wash and body moisturizer. My favorites are Bioderma’s Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil and Bioderma’s Atoderm Ultra-Soothing Balm.”
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