Sunburn is an inflammatory response triggered by ultraviolet (UV) radiation damaging the skin’s cellular DNA. The body minimizes the risk of mutated cells by initiating programmed cell death (apoptosis) in severely damaged cells of the outermost layer (epidermis). The goal of managing sunburn is to minimize this cellular damage. This allows the skin to transition smoothly to its post-burn melanin-darkened state, or “tan,” without triggering the visible sloughing off of dead cells that results in peeling.
Immediate Steps to Cool the Burn
When a burn is noticed, the immediate priority is to stop the damage cascade by drawing heat out of the tissue. This acute mitigation of inflammation should occur within the first 24 to 48 hours to limit the severity. Taking a cool or lukewarm shower or bath helps lower the skin’s temperature and reduce swelling.
Keep the water temperature below 84 degrees Fahrenheit (28.8 degrees Celsius) to avoid further drying or shocking the compromised skin barrier. Applying cold compresses or a clean cloth soaked in cool water to localized areas also provides relief. These cooling steps help reduce the release of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules.
To address pain and internal inflammation, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended. Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which mediate pain, fever, and inflammatory redness. Taking an NSAID dose within the first few hours is most effective for limiting the overall inflammatory response.
Topical agents also provide immediate relief by soothing the skin’s surface. Applying pure aloe vera gel is beneficial, as its compound, aloin, has anti-inflammatory properties, and its high water content provides a cooling effect. For burns with itching or swelling, a mild, over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can suppress the immune response by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Deep Hydration for Barrier Preservation
Once initial heat and inflammation are managed, the focus shifts to preserving the integrity of the damaged skin barrier to prevent peeling. Peeling is the physical separation of the damaged outer layer, accelerated when the skin becomes dry. The goal is to keep this layer pliable and attached while new cells regenerate underneath.
Moisturizer application must be continuous and frequent, ideally multiple times per day. The best time to apply a generous layer of cream is immediately after a cool bath or shower while the skin is still damp. This allows the product to seal in absorbed water. Creams are preferred over thin lotions because they have a higher oil content to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Look for moisturizers containing specific ingredients that aid in barrier repair. Ceramides, which are lipid molecules making up about 50% of the skin’s outer layer, are effective because they act like “mortar” between skin cells, helping to rebuild the compromised barrier structure. Hyaluronic acid is another valuable ingredient, functioning as a humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin’s surface, helping to plump dehydrated cells.
In later stages of healing, when the skin is cool but extremely dry, a thin layer of an occlusive agent like petroleum jelly can be beneficial. Occlusives form a physical barrier on the skin’s surface, reducing water evaporation. Internal hydration is equally important, as sunburn causes significant fluid loss, and increasing water intake supports the skin’s regenerative process.
Behaviors That Guarantee Peeling
Certain actions actively accelerate the shedding of damaged skin, making peeling more severe. Exposing compromised skin to abrasive mechanical forces is one of the quickest ways to encourage sloughing. Avoid scrubbing or exfoliating the burn with towels, loofahs, or granular scrubs, as this prematurely removes the outer layer and exposes the tender, newly formed skin underneath.
Picking at flaking skin is highly discouraged because it can tear off sections that are not ready to separate, potentially leading to infection, scarring, or delayed healing. Exposure to heat and drying agents will also exacerbate the damage. Hot showers and baths should be avoided entirely because they dry out the skin and transfer heat back into the burn, furthering the injury.
Applying products that contain simple, volatile alcohols, such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, is detrimental to healing. These alcohols disrupt the delicate lipid matrix of the skin barrier, increasing transepidermal water loss and causing dryness that accelerates peeling. Similarly, wearing tight clothing over the burn can create friction and trap heat, encouraging damaged cells to detach and peel.