What’s the fastest way to turn your tropical dream vacation into a nightmare? Plan a full schedule of outdoor activities on Day One without using adequate sun protection. The result, as many of us have learned the hard way, is a whole lot of pain, a little embarrassment, Rudolph-red skin and an aversion to the sun until it all just goes away. But how long does sunburn last and what can you do for relief? This guide should help get you out of that dark hotel room and back into the sunlight… at least before it’s time to fly home.
A sunburn is the result of your skin cells’ overexposure to UV radiation. As this occurs, your skin’s blood vessels dilate, resulting in redness and swelling. The damage to skin cells is often permanent, leading to serious long-term consequences. One of the most concerning effects of not wearing sunscreen is an increased risk of skin cancer. Keep in mind that the more times you’re sunburned, the greater your risk of developing skin cancer. Five or more severe sunburns in a lifetime makes you at least twice as likely to develop some form of skin cancer.
In addition to the risk of cancer, repeated burning over time just isn’t a good look. Say goodbye to soft and smooth and hello to wrinkles, spots and other tell-tale signs of too much time in the tanning booth.
No matter your skin tone, everyone is at risk of developing sunburn. Some are more susceptible than others, of course. Here are few variables that could increase your risk of seeing red:
Unfortunately, if you’re starting to feel the effects of sunburn, it’s already too late. Sunburn can occur within minutes even if you don't feel or see any symptoms. Skin can start to turn red shortly after but reaches peak skin reddening and inflammation between 12 to 24 hours after exposure. Only after two days will it start to subside—and it can take much longer in more severe cases. Moderate sunburns (including peeling) take about week to fully heal while severe sunburns (blisters, nausea, etc.) may take as much as two weeks and require a visit to the doctor.
Blisters from a moderate to severe sunburn start to show anywhere from 6 hours to a full day after UV exposure, however blistering can occur sooner based on a person’s skin condition and environment. As tempting as it is, don’t pop or break your blisters—it will only slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection. Instead, think of them as your sun souvenir and a painful reminder to wear sun protection next time. Once blisters develop, expect them to subside after about a week.
Swelling (a result of the dilation of your skin’s blood vessels) can last up to two days. In the meantime, taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin can help, or the use of topical remedies like aloe vera and hydrocortisone can help relieve some of more acute symptoms.
To be clear: shedding is natural for reptiles — not humans. So, there’s nothing regenerative or healthy about peeling skin—it’s a sign that your body is trying to rid itself of damaged cells didn’t take the necessary precautions. We are not snakes! Once a moderate or severe sunburn occurs, expect to see the first signs of flaking and peeling after about three days. This can last for up to two weeks, depending on the severity of the burn. As your skin heals, resist the urge to “pull or pick” at the damaged goods. Your skin will fall off on its own when it’s ready. Hot tip: drink lots of water during the healing process.
Once you’ve burned your skin, there’s no magic wand to reverse the effects. So, you’re mostly going to have to rely on the body’s miraculous ability to heal itself. That said, there are some measures you can take to make it (slightly) less painful:
Since sunburnt skin is dehydrated skin, water should be your best friend. It's a huge plus to keep damaged skin hydrated to make it easier to heal after a sunburn.
While there is no treatment that will erase a sunburn, there are some remedies that help reduce symptoms. Topical solutions are the most common — be sure they contain some kind of anti-inflammatory properties.
The swelling and pain you feel is the result of your body at work, pumping out Histamines (signals to your immune system) assist this healing process, providing a bit more comfort for you. These include hydrocortisone creams, moisturizers and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
There is no shortcut to healing a sunburn. However, there are a few treatments that help reduce some of the symptoms. Drink lots of fluids, take frequent cool showers, consider a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin
UV radiation from the sun damages our skin’s cells, causing our body to produce more melanin to repel any additional damage. This additional melanin tends to darken the skin over time but in no way should be seen as healthy. As dermatologists say, tans are simply the result of damaged skin protecting itself from more damage. There is no such thing as a “healthy tan.”
Once you’re burned from the sun, you’re at the mercy of your body’s own healing process timeline—generally anywhere from three to five days. For mild sunburns, however, you may experience relief after 48 hours if you take all the necessary steps to mitigate symptoms, including: cold showers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)s, topical solutions like aloe vera and, of course, getting out of the sun while you recover.
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Skip the screen—not a big deal, right? Ummm... We all know we’re serious about the screen around here, but you might be surprised to find out why. ‘Cuz it’s not just about the risk of getting a burn (although we really, really hate that).
