A doctor and skincare expert has shared what to do if you are experiencing bad sunburn following a sunshine filled day – and what common things people do while burnt which could make your skin worse
We have all been there – suffering the sting of sunburn after a day in the scorching heat. It’s all too easy to forget to re-apply suncream – and it can be hard to cover hard-to-reach areas too.
No matter how careful we are, it’s possible to get burnt. So with that being said, a doctor has issued advice on how to handle the situation. And their tips should hopefully help to cool the skin down faster.
Dr Munir Smoji, chief medical officer and founder of Dr Medispa and co-founder of Somoji skincare, said: “If you’ve got to this stage and you haven’t listened to me and you’ve got bad sunburn this is what you need to do to look after it.”
He then outlined the following six pieces of advice that you must follow if you get burnt…
1. Use a cool flannel
Sharing his advice on TikTok, via @DrSmojiSkin, the doctor said: “Make sure that you use cool flannels over the area just to calm down the skin. It should be a clean flannel, a nice cool temperature so that you can cool the surface temperature of the skin down”.
He noted that this method should make the skin feel “much better”.
2. Avoid using actives
Dr Smoji explained why it is important to avoid using actives on the skin following bad sunburn.
He said: “A lot of people like to use things like aloe vera on the surface of the skin, even fresh aloe vera, but that can increase your chances of infection. But keep it simple.”
The skincare expert suggests to use ceramide-based formulations that have emollients in them – which helps soften and soothe the skin.
Opt for ingredients such as glycerine, which help with moisture and enhancing the skin barrier. Creams and lotions containing ceramides can also be great – as they hold the skin together and form a protective layer to help moisture loss and visible damage.
3. Take antihistamines
Dr Smoji pointed out that sunburn and swelling often go hand-in-hand, so getting some over the counter antihistamines can help calm down skin inflammation and swelling.
4. Avoid exfoliation and peeling the area
If you’re trying to scrub away the sunburn, this won’t help. Dr Smoji said: “Don’t exfoliate the area.”
This is because it can irritate the already damaged skin, potentially leading to scarring or infection. He also noted not to pick or peel the area, adding: “It can actually cause more problems”.
5. Stay out of the sun
After getting sunburnt, it is important to give yourself time to heal properly. And Dr Smoji says it is important to stay out of the sun during this period.
“Allow your skin to recover,” he advises. “It’s going to take a little bit of time until your skin gets back to normal.”
6. Slap on some SPF
Going forward, make sure to protect yourself from the sun as much as possible.
The NHS suggests using a minimum of SPF30 suncream, applied 30 minutes before going outdoors and again just before stepping out. Reapply every two hours for best results, which is important due to the drying effects of the sun.
Adults should aim for six to eight teaspoons of suncream to cover the whole body. You should also opt for water-resistant formulas if sweating or coming into contact with water.
It can also be helpful to cover up wearing long sleeves and other accessories. Dr Smoji added: “Wear SPF – there are no excuses. Also always wear a hat.”