Sunburn relief: what to do in the first 48 hours
Sunburn relief that works: how to cool and soothe burned skin, what to avoid, how to handle blisters and peeling, and the warning signs that need medical care.
Written by the Glowpedia team · not yet reviewed by our dermatologist
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A sunburn is a burn caused by ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Redness usually shows a few hours after too much sun and can feel worse over the next day. Simple care in the first 48 hours can make you more comfortable while your skin heals.
Quick answer: Get out of the sun, cool your skin with cool (not icy) showers or damp cloths, and apply aloe gel or a fragrance-free moisturizer while skin is still damp. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen can help. Drink extra water and don't pop blisters. Get medical help for widespread blisters, fever, chills, dizziness, confusion, or sunburn on a baby.
What happens to your skin in a sunburn
UV light damages the top layers of skin. Your body responds by sending more blood to the area, which causes redness, heat, swelling and pain. Sunburn also pulls fluid toward the skin's surface and away from the rest of your body, which is why you can feel thirsty or tired.
A mild sunburn makes skin pink or red, warm and sore. A more severe one causes swelling and small, fluid-filled blisters. Severe sunburn can also bring a headache, fever, nausea and tiredness.
On brown or black skin, sunburn may not look red at all. It can still feel hot, sore, tight or itchy, and it still damages the skin.
What to do in the first hours
- Get out of the sun, ideally indoors. Cover burned skin with loose clothing if you have to go out.
- Cool the skin. Take frequent cool baths or showers, or place a cool, damp cloth on the burn. Pat skin gently dry afterward. Don't use ice or ice packs directly on the skin.
- Moisturize while skin is still damp. Choose aloe vera gel or a gentle, fragrance-free, water-based moisturizer. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests products with aloe or soy. Calamine lotion or an oatmeal bath can also feel soothing.
- Ease pain and swelling. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (acetaminophen) can help. Follow the label, and ask a pharmacist if you have health conditions or take other medicines.
- Drink extra water for the next day or two, and avoid alcohol.
- Consider hydrocortisone for small, very sore areas. Mayo Clinic notes that a nonprescription 1% hydrocortisone cream can help mild to moderate sunburn for a few days. Ask a pharmacist before using it on large areas, on the face, or on a child.
Many people find aloe vera soothing and cooling, although there is limited proof that it makes sunburn heal faster. Other gentle soothing ingredients, such as panthenol and glycerin, are common in after-sun products.
What to avoid on sunburned skin
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| "-caine" numbing creams and sprays (benzocaine, lidocaine) | Can irritate skin or cause an allergic reaction |
| Petroleum jelly and heavy oils on fresh, hot burns | May hold in heat; the NHS advises against petroleum jelly on sunburn |
| Fragranced lotions and alcohol-based products | Sting and dry the skin |
| Retinoids, exfoliating acids and scrubs | Irritate damaged skin; pause until fully healed |
| Ice directly on skin | Can damage skin further |
| Tight clothing | Rubs and traps heat |
| More sun | Burns already damaged skin again |
Mayo Clinic notes there is little evidence that "-caine" products work for sunburn, and that benzocaine has been linked to a rare but serious blood problem. If you use retinoids or exfoliating acids, stop them until your skin has completely healed.
Blisters: don't pop them
Blisters are a sign of a deeper burn. The fluid and the skin over it protect the new skin underneath.
- Leave blisters alone. Don't pop or pick them.
- If a blister breaks on its own, wash the area gently with mild soap and water and cover it with a clean, non-stick dressing. Ask a pharmacist which ointment to use under it.
- Watch for infection: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus or pain.
Large blisters, or blisters on the face, hands or genitals, should be checked by a doctor.
Peeling and itching
Peeling usually starts a few days after the burn. It is your skin shedding damaged cells.
- Keep moisturizing with a gentle, fragrance-free lotion.
- Don't pull or scrub off peeling skin. Let it come away on its own.
- For itching, cool compresses and moisturizer usually help more than scratching, which can cause marks or infection.
Our page on sensitive skin has more tips for calming irritated skin.
How long sunburn takes to heal
The NHS says sunburn usually gets better within 7 days. Mild burns often feel better in a few days. Blistering burns take longer.
After sunburn, some people notice darker patches as the skin heals, especially on medium to deep skin tones. These usually fade over weeks to months. Daily sunscreen helps them fade and stops them from getting darker. See our guide to dark spots for more.
When to get medical help
Get urgent medical advice (for example, call your doctor or a nurse line, or NHS 111 in the UK) if after being in the sun you or someone else has:
- Blistered or swollen skin, especially over a large area of the body.
- A high temperature (fever), chills or feeling hot and cold and shivery.
- Dizziness, confusion, fainting, extreme tiredness, headache, nausea or vomiting. These can be signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can be serious.
- Muscle cramps or signs of dehydration, such as very little urine or a dry mouth.
- Eye pain or changes in vision.
- Signs of infection in blisters or broken skin.
- Sunburn on a baby or young child. Contact a doctor right away.
- Severe sunburn that is not improving after a few days.
Call emergency services if someone is confused, fainting, very hard to wake, or has a seizure.
Preventing the next sunburn
Every sunburn adds to long-term skin damage and raises the risk of skin cancer over time. Prevention is simple:
- Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on all skin that clothing does not cover.
- Reapply about every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating.
- Seek shade, especially in the middle of the day, and wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and clothing that covers your skin.
- Remember that you can burn on cloudy days and in winter, especially near snow and water.
For a full routine, see our guide to everyday sun protection.
FAQ
Does a base tan prevent sunburn?
No. A tan offers very little protection, and a tan is itself a sign that UV has damaged your skin. Sunscreen, shade and clothing protect much better.
Is after-sun better than aloe?
Not necessarily. Any gentle, fragrance-free, water-based soothing product can help. Check the label for "-caine" numbing ingredients, fragrance and alcohol, which can irritate burned skin.
Can darker skin get sunburned?
Yes. Sunburn on brown or black skin may not look red, but it can still be sore, hot and itchy, and it still damages the skin. Everyone needs sun protection.
Should I put moisturizer on a sunburn?
Yes. A gentle, fragrance-free, water-based moisturizer applied to damp skin helps with dryness and peeling. Avoid heavy oils and petroleum jelly while the burn still feels hot.
Can I wear makeup over a sunburn?
It is best to let the skin rest until it calms down. If you need makeup, choose gentle, fragrance-free products and remove them carefully.
Sources
- How to treat sunburn (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Sunburn (NHS)
- Sunburn: First aid (Mayo Clinic)
- Sunburn: Diagnosis and treatment (Mayo Clinic)
- Sunburn: Symptoms and causes (Mayo Clinic)