Now that temperatures have started to rise and you’re probably spending a lot more time outdoors, there is a chance (a very small one hopefully) that you will or have gotten a sunburn. Unfortunately, we’ve all been there, despite our diligent sunscreen application. Here are some expert tricks on how to heal fast.
First and foremost, deal with the pain.
“If you have a sunburn, use a lotion with 1-percent hydrocortisone to help sooth sore, itchy skin, and I would also recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever,” says New York plastic surgeon Stafford Broumand, MD.
Secondly, hydrate.
It’s very easy to become dehydrated when you have a sunburn, so drink up. “A sunburn requires a lot of hydration,” says Washington D.C. dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, MD.
Finally, heal your skin.
Celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas recommends this DIY at-home solution: Mix three tablespoons of aloe vera juice with one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and two drops of rose oil. Then, apply the mixture with a cotton ball to the damaged area.