How to Get
Rid of Sunburn Peeling on the Skin
Sunburn is one of the most common causes of peeling skin. As the
weather warms up, it may be tempting to lay out in the sun. But if you don't
use sunscreen or sunblock, your skin reacts to the sun’s UV rays and burns,
leading to sunburn peeling. Sunburn is caused by a variety of factors,
including the length of time spent in the sun, the time of day, the intensity
of UV radiation, your skin type, and the use of any topical or internal
treatment. Sunburn not only causes skin peeling and irritation but also
increases the risk of skin cancer. So, what can be done to prevent it? Is there
any way to get rid of it? We have answered everything in this article. Keep
reading!
What Is
Sunburn Skin Peeling?
When your skin is overexposed to harmful UV rays, it damages the
skin cells in the epidermis. The immune system in your body tries to protect
you from harm, which leads to the damaged skin peeling off.
How Long
Does It Take for Your Skin to Peel After Sunburn?
Fortunately, sunburn skin peeling is a type of short-term skin
damage. Your skin can start peeling anywhere from three days to a week
following a sunburn. In general, the peeling stops after the skin has fully
recovered. The entire process could take up to two weeks.
James Stewart, an Evangelical blogger, shares his story of
experiencing severe skin peeling from sunburn: “I not only had the world’s
hottest and worst sunburn ever, but I also experienced the world’s longest
period of skin peeling that anyone has ever gone through after being sunburned.
I was literally peeling for months after that.”
Once the damage has been done, there is no way to completely prevent
peeling. You can, however, aid in the maintenance and healing of the healthy
skin underneath. How? Let’s have a look at the next section to find out!
How to Get
Rid of Sunburn Peeling Skin
1. Cold Compress, Cold Showers, and Cool Baths
Using a cold compress or taking a cool shower/bath will not guarantee that the
peeling will subside. However, if your sunburn is especially hot, inflamed, and
unpleasant, the cool temperatures may provide temporary relief. You can make a
cold compress at home by filling a thick cloth bag with ice cubes or wrapping
ice cubes in a washcloth. Never apply ice directly to sunburned skin because
the extreme cold may cause further harm to the skin, worsening peeling and
delaying the healing process.
2. Aloe Vera Gel Aloe vera gel applied topically
calms and hydrates sunburned skin while also reducing inflammation. These
combined properties help to speed up the healing process of sunburn and shorten
the skin peeling time. Apply the gel directly to your skin from aloe vera
leaves or use a natural over-the-counter (OTC) aloe vera gel product. Avoid any
store-bought aloe vera gel that contains chemical preservatives as it might aggravate
irritation.
3. Oatmeal Bath Colloidal oatmeal has
anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it can relieve the dryness and
irritation caused by sunburn. It also aids the skin’s ability to retain
moisture, which helps in the process of healing. Colloidal oatmeal is not the
same as breakfast oatmeal. Nevertheless, whole oats can be used to make
colloidal oatmeal. Put some uncooked whole oats in a food processor or blender
and grind them to a fine powder. Pour 2-3 cups of this powder into a lukewarm
or cool bath and soak in it for 10-15 minutes.
4. Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes Sunburn and tight
clothing make for an uncomfortable combination. Instead, wear loose, soft
clothing to let your skin breathe and reduce the possibility of friction and
further irritation.
5. Don’t Peel One of the worst things you can do
after a sunburn is peel off the excess skin. You risk causing an infection and
exposing skin cells that are not ready to be exposed, which may result in
scarring.
6. Take OTC Anti-Inflammatory Medication Taking aspirin
or ibuprofen, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can help calm
the skin and reduce some of the pain and swelling associated with sunburn. You
can also apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to the affected areas. You
can also crush a few aspirin or ibuprofen tablets and mix them with water to
make a paste that you can gently apply to the affected area. Avoid petroleum or
oil-based lotions and moisturizers until your skin stops peeling completely.
7. Stay Hydrated It’s time to start working from
the inside out to cure peeling skin, in addition to external treatments. To be
honest, nothing is more beneficial to your skin than a big glass of water.
Adequate hydration is essential for healthy skin. Water becomes even more
necessary when your skin is damaged, such as after a sunburn.
8. Other Home Remedies There are other home
remedies that can help with sunburn peeling. Here are some additional tips to
consider:
- Cucumber
Slices: Place cool cucumber slices on the sunburned areas
to help soothe and hydrate the skin.
- Honey:
Apply honey to the affected areas to benefit from its natural
antibacterial and moisturizing properties.
- Yogurt:
Apply plain yogurt to the sunburned skin for its cooling and
anti-inflammatory effects.
How to
Prevent Sunburn Peeling?
- Apply sunscreen that contains SPF 30 or more every two
hours.
- Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
- Keep as much skin covered as possible with
long-sleeved clothes, hats, and light scarves.
- Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when stepping
out.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid tanning beds at all costs.
Matthew W. Turcotte, a pop culture blogger, talks about using
sunscreen of at least SPF 50 for recovering from terrible sunburns, in one of
his blog posts. “Believe me, I know all about blistering sunburns. I acquired
quite a few of them in my early childhood that were skin-peeling awfulness.
After you experience a couple of them, you definitely don’t want to experience
another one. And, I also have learned that applying it only once a day is not
exactly the way you want to go unless you’re going to be outside for 30 minutes
or an hour. Myself? I usually reapply sunscreen during breaks and my lunch
hour,” he says.
A 2018 online survey study was done on 3,106 participants to determine
the contexts of sunburns in American adults. 50.7% of participants reported
being outdoors for 1-3 hours, and 38.9% were outdoors for 3-6 hours. The most
commonly stated context was swimming at 32.5%, while outdoor work was at 26.2%
and vacationing was at 20.7%. Only 5.5% intended to get a tan. A total of 79.6%
reported having used sun protection.
Sometimes, the skin peeling can get bad enough to require medical
attention. Find out when you should consult a doctor in the next section.
When
Should You See a Doctor?
Sunburn peeling is rarely a cause for concern and does not usually
necessitate medical attention. However, you should get medical help if you
notice any of the following symptoms:
- Swelling.
- Fluid oozing from the affected area.
- Blisters that become inflamed or turn yellow.
- Fever, nausea, or chills.
You can also consult a dermatologist to learn about the best sunburn
treatment options for your skin type and skin issues.
What Are
the Stages of Sunburn Healing?
- Initial
Redness: The first stage involves tenderness and
inflammation of the affected skin that is often accompanied by warmth and
pain. It can occur within a few hours after sun exposure.
- Peeling and
Blistering: Sunburn may also progress to blistering in
some cases. These blisters can be filled with fluid and cause the affected
skin to peel.
- Healing and
Repair: The body begins to repair the damaged skin with
time. The skin starts to regenerate. New, healthier skin cells replace the
damaged ones.
- Itchiness and
Flaking: After the initial healing, the sunburned area
might become itchy as the damaged skin continues to flake off.
While the skin does return to its normal state with time, it still
may remain sensitive to sunlight for a while.
Infographic:
7 Ways to Get Relief from Sunburn Skin Peeling
After getting sunburned, your sun-damaged skin may start peeling
off, giving way to new skin. It’s important not to pick at the peeling skin and
let it naturally shed. Avoid applying ice, pulling, or exfoliating your skin as
this only causes more harm. Use the simple methods listed in the infographic
below to relieve any discomfort and provide soothing benefits.
The Bottom
Line
Skin peeling is a natural part of the healing process after sunburn.
Simple home remedies – such as aloe vera and cold compress – can help reduce
inflammation, itching, and redness, speed up healing, and reduce the degree and
duration of peeling. Sunburn peeling seldom requires medical treatment. But if
you develop symptoms such as nausea, fever, or serious blistering, or if you
notice signs of infection, consult a doctor immediately.
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