What Is A Sunburn And How To Treat It Effectively?

The sun’s harsh rays can damage the skin’s protective barrier. Skipping sunscreen and appropriate preventive measures to shield the skin from severe ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburn and associated complications. The potential risks of sunburn are greater than what meets the eye. In addition to the apparent redness and inflammation, sunburn can cause premature ageing and serious skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma[1].

This article will shed light on the primary factors contributing to sunburn, its classifications, prevention and natural remedies available. Understanding the signs and diagnostic processes that indicate the necessity for medical intervention is crucial in preventing further skin damage. This comprehensive article will provide insights into the critical indications of sunburn and the possible dermatological treatments.

What Is Sunburn?

Sunburn is the skin’s inflammatory reaction to prolonged natural (sun) or artificial (tanning beds) ultraviolet (UV) exposure [2]. Marked by acute redness, swelling, and pain, this condition indicates cellular damage to the skin and can range from mild redness to more severe blistering and peeling

What Are The Causes Of A Sunburn?

The leading cause of sunburn is overexposure to UV light. Sunburns can also result from prolonged daily exposure to these radiations without sunscreen or other protective barriers. Artificial sources like tanning beds and sunlamps also emit hazardous UV rays that can burn the skin. Additionally, since sandy, snow, and watery surfaces can reflect UV light from the sun, sunburns can happen even on cloudy or chilly days.

Sunburn-related erythema, characterised by redness and inflammation, occurs when the immune system increases blood flow to skin tissue damaged by UV light. UV light consists of different wavelengths, each causing various levels of skin damage. The UVA wavelength penetrates the skin’s deeper layers, causing progressive tissue damage. The UVB wavelength, primarily absorbed by the central epidermis layer, is the primary cause of sunburn[3].

Must Read: How To Remove Sun Tan From Skin?

What Are The Types Of Sunburn?

The primary factor determining the degree of sunburn’s severity is the duration and intensity of exposure to UV radiation. Accordingly, we can classify the sunburn as:

First-degree Sunburn

Damaging the outermost layer of your skin (epidermis), this type of sunburn heals naturally in a week.
Second-degree Sunburn

This type of sunburn leads to blisters and increased discomfort as it injures the skin’s central layer (dermis). Second-degree burns heal within weeks but might require medical care to prevent infection and rule out significant skin conditions.
Third-degree Sunburn

A third-degree burn penetrates the innermost layer of the skin, past the fat layer, and sometimes even destroys the skin’s sensory endings. It is extremely rare to get a sunburn that is this severe from direct sun exposure, as it typically results from fire or chemical mishaps.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sunburn?

Depending on the severity, the varied symptoms of sunburn include:

Symptoms Of First-degree Sunburn

Redness and burning sensation
Sore, swollen skin with tightness
Sometimes accompanied with nausea, exhaustion, fever or headache
Subsequent peeling

Symptoms Of Second-degree Sunburn

Intense redness and blistering
Painful, inflamed, shiny skin with white discolouration inside burnt areas
Additional symptoms of heat illness like muscle pains, rapid breathing, shivers, dizziness, nausea, exhaustion, fever, headache, or confusion

Symptoms Of A Third-degree Sunburn

Charred skin with leathery texture and waxy appearance
Damaged nerve endings causing numbness
Heat illness and possible heat stroke

Must Read: What Causes Skin To Tan?

How To Treat Sunburn?

Sunburn treatment involves alleviating the pain and discomfort and promoting subsequent healing. Natural remedies such as aloe vera, coconut oil, oatmeal baths, cold compresses, honey, and chamomile tea are effective in soothing the skin and aiding its recovery. Severe sunburns may require medical treatment, including a course of systemic steroids or advanced clinical procedures prescribed by a certified dermatologist[4].

Home Remedies for Sunburn

Are you looking for home treatment for sunburn? Several conventional treatments can help soothe sunburn on the face and body, promoting relief and healing. Listed below are some of the effective home remedies for sunburn:

Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera gel is a potent therapeutic herb with anti-inflammatory properties. When applied promptly to first- and second-degree burns, it can impede damage progression and speed up healing[5]. Due to its soothing effect, it can effectively reduce redness, swelling, discomfort associated with sunburn, and face peeling after sunburn, making it a compelling sunburn treatment at home.
Coconut Oil:

Coconut is a natural emollient, rich in linolic and lauric acids, and packed with antimicrobial and moisturising properties. It helps treat sunburn-related itching and dryness.
Vinegar:

Adding highly diluted apple cider vinegar to your cool bath can help prevent infections, as it has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It can also reduce infections, restore the skin’s pH balance, and facilitate healing.
Oatmeal/Oatmeal Bath:

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory characteristics, colloidal oatmeal has been a trusted topical treatment for various skin conditions, such as rashes, eczema, and itching, for ages[6]. Add a cup of whole oats to a cool bath for a quick respite. An oatmeal bath is a soothing home treatment for sunburn as it reduces inflammation and helps skin retain its moisture.
Cold Compress:

A prompt 10–15-minute application of a fresh damp cloth can be an efficient face sunburn treatment that provides instant relief. Apply a cold compress several times daily to reduce redness, inflammation, and discomfort.
Tea:

Black and green teas have extremely comforting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. When applied topically, the tannic acid and theobromine in green tea reduce pain and repair damaged skin, while black tea rapidly relieves heat, soreness, and stinging.
Baking Soda:

Baking soda can balance the skin’s pH levels, reducing the pain, itching, and swelling associated with the burn. You can add baking soda to your bath or use a moist towel soaked in its solution.
Honey:

Honey’s calming, conditioning, and antioxidant properties make it an excellent home sunburn treatment. Applying honey over the affected area minimises pain and inflammation and moisturises dry, sunburnt skin.
Chamomile Tea:

Chamomile’s cooling and relaxing qualities can reduce inflammation and improve healing. To apply, soak a clean cloth or cotton pads in chamomile tea after brewing and cooling and gently press the affected area for 15-20 minutes.
Cucumbers:

Cucumbers are the best sunburn face treatment to try at home. A paste of chilled cucumbers can cool your skin and help moderate any tenderness and inflammation caused by sunburn.

Sunburn Treatments Done By Dermatologist

In case of severe sunburn or unavoidable sun damage, you can rely on advanced medical assistance for effective aid. Following are some of the medically proven sunburn treatments:

Topical Prescriptions:

If over-the-counter pain relief fails to treat severe sunburns, dermatologists may prescribe a short course of advanced painkillers. In cases of blistering and peeling, they bandage the wound to prevent infection and assist healing. Sometimes, doctors may also prescribe short-term topical corticoids to manage pain and inflammation [9].
Intravenous Fluids:

To combat sunburn-induced dehydration in critical cases, specialists may use intravenous (IV) fluids for electrolyte replacement and rehydration.
Chemical Peels:

A chemical solution removes dead skin from sun-damaged skin to improve its appearance [10]. The controlled exfoliation using plant extract-based chemicals deeply rejuvenates the skin. A thorough skin evaluation helps dermatologists determine the chemical composition and strength of the peel.

Watch this video to learn how chemical peel treatment can help you achieve lighter skin tone:

Laser Resurfacing:

This procedure precisely removes damaged skin layer by layer. It uses brief, intense flashing laser beams to carefully remove layers of sun-damaged skin and renew collagen production[11].

Watch this video to learn more about the revolutionary laser skin resurfacing treatment at Oliva:

Diagnosis

A medical professional can diagnose sunburn by examining the affected skin to determine the severity. They will ask about your symptoms, the extent of UV exposure, and the history of your sunburns. If you show signs of sunburn after a brief sun exposure, they may test for photosensitivity. This involves exposing small areas of skin to UV wavelengths to evaluate your skin’s sensitivity to light.

How To Prevent Sunburn?

To safeguard skin against UV damage, adopting preventive measures becomes imperative. Here are some effective tips for sunburn protection:

Sunscreen:

A broad-spectrum SPF of 30+ protects skin from harmful UVA and UVB radiations and associated risks such as sunburn, photo ageing, and skin cancers [7].

Wear Protective Clothing:

When in the sun, wear long-sleeved shirts, full-length bottoms/skirts, and covered shoes. To prevent sunburn on your hands, wear long gloves. You can also buy garments with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or higher[8]. Ensure that infants and children are adequately covered or carry a wide umbrella for sun protection.

Wear Sunglasses:

Sunglasses provide complete UV protection to your eyes, preventing the potential risk of cataracts and subsequent vision impairment.

Wear Hat:

A wide-area hat with high UPF is an excellent way to prevent face and neck sunburn.

Avoid Sun Exposure:

The best measure to prevent sunburn is to avoid the sun during peak hours (10 a.m.-4 p.m.).

Seek Shade:

When you must be outside in the sun, use large umbrellas or seek shade. However, while these can filter intense sunlight, you can still get sunburnt; hence, refrain from solely relying on this measure.

Takeaway

Sunburn is a common and painful inflammatory response of the epidermis to prolonged UV exposure. It usually heals in a few days to weeks. However, it may sometimes require timely medical attention. Consult a qualified expert if your sunburn is severe, results in blistering infection, causes any unexpected changes in the skin or significantly affects infants or young children.

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Get Rid Of Sunburn On Face?

Aloe vera gel, a cool compress, and avoiding more sun exposure can all help with face sunburn. Avoid skin picking or peeling.

Will Sunscreen Protect Sunburned Or Burned Skin?

Even though SPF 30+ sunscreen is an excellent way to shield skin from UV radiation, it is preferable to avoid sun exposure while a sunburn heals.

What Are The Levels Of Sunburn?

Sunburn is classified into three levels based on severity, namely, first-degree (mild), second-degree (moderate), and third-degree (severe).

What Heals Sunburn Quickly?

Sunburns cannot be healed immediately. Nonetheless, aloe vera gel has soothing and healing properties, so applying it is one of the quickest ways to relieve discomfort.

What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of A Sunburn?

Sunburns cannot be healed immediately. Nonetheless, aloe vera gel has soothing and healing properties, so applying it is one of the quickest ways to relieve discomfort.

Can Sunburn Be Cured Naturally?

Though sunburns often go away in a few days, cold compresses, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, baking soda, honey, oatmeal baths, cool cucumber slices, chamomile tea, and ample hydration can help ease inflammation.

How To Get Rid Of Sunburn Redness Overnight?

You cannot wholly reverse sunburn redness and damage overnight. Use cool compresses, soothing ointments, and nonprescription anti-inflammatory medicine to treat mild sunburns. These can help alleviate the symptoms in 2-3 days. However, severe sunburns may take longer to heal.

Are There Other Factors That Put Me At Higher Risk?

Light skin and hair, freckles, a history of sunburn, or photosensitivity medicine or topicals may increase your risk of sunburn. Living in sunny places or at higher altitudes can also increase your risk of sunburn.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Sunburn?

You can avoid sunburn with protective clothes and a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30+, particularly during peak hours.

Are There Long-Term Effects From Sunburn?

Severe and frequent sunburn increases the possibility of developing wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer.

How Do Sunburns Lead To Cancer?

Sunburn itself does not cause cancer, but excessive UV exposure can damage skin cell DNA and produce mutations that can lead to skin cancer.

How To Remove Sunburn?

The very first thing you should do after experiencing a sunburn is to cool the affected area and ensure proper healing. Begin by applying a cold compress, taking a cool shower or bath, and drinking plenty of water. Continuously apply aloe vera gel to the sunburn areas to help calm the skin. For severe sunburn, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

How To Cure Dark Skin From Sunburn On Face?

Only after your skin has fully healed can you use gentle exfoliants and products containing vitamin C, kojic acid, glycolic acid, or retinoids to lighten it. You can also seek dermatological advice for advanced treatments like chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, or microdermabrasion.

What To Apply On Sunburn?

Apply a calming moisturiser to cool the burn. Avoid petroleum jelly or applying ice directly to the skin. While the former seals the skin, preventing healing, the latter worsens pain and inflammation.

How Long Does Sunburn Last?

After 24 to 48 hours of severe pain and discomfort, your skin begins healing within 3-7 days. However, the duration may vary depending on the severity.

How To Treat Blisters And Peeling?

Do not pop any blisters. If a blister ruptures, gently cleanse the area with a mild soap and apply antibiotics to prevent infection. To soothe peeling skin from sunburn, apply a light moisturiser and refrain from forceful peeling. Seek medical care immediately if you experience increased discomfort.