How to Stop Sunburn: This Is What You Can Do

With summer in full swing, many of us are looking forward to spending some time in the sun. You just need to apply some sunscreen and you’re set, right?

How to Stop Sunburn?

Well, not exactly. Though sunscreen should be a key part of your sun protection routine, you need to choose the right one and apply it the right way. You should also look into other protection methods, such as avoiding unnecessary exposure.

Not sure where to start? Here’s how to stop sunburn from ruining your day out.

Be Smart With Sunscreen

Your first step should be to get the right sunscreen. Look for one that provides full or broad-spectrum protection; these protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.

While you’re checking the label, look for the SPF value. This tells you how well a sunscreen protects your skin compared to not wearing it. If your skin turns red after 30 minutes in the sun, an SPF 15 sunscreen will protect it for 15 times longer.

Choosing the right SPF value depends on your personal needs. If you’ll only spend a few minutes in the sun here and there, SPF 15 should do the trick. If you tend to get a horrible sunburn easily, go for a sunscreen with an SPF 50.

As a rule of thumb, you should use 1 ounce of sunscreen to cover your entire body. You should apply it half an hour before going outside, so the ingredients can set in. Some products have specific instructions, so always check the label first.

Avoid Sun Exposure

This may seem obvious, but sticking to the shade when going outside is always a good idea. If you’re going to the beach, bring an umbrella or a portable canopy.

You should also try to stay out of the sun during peak hours. This includes the period between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun’s UV rays are at their strongest.

Another way to determine the strength of UV rays is to look at your shadow. If it’s longer than you are, UV exposure is likely to be low. If it’s shorter than you are, you should stay indoors and only go outside if necessary.

Wear More Clothes

Wearing the right clothes is another good way to prevent the worst sunburns. The more skin your clothes cover, the more protected you’ll be.

Look for dark clothes, as they block more sunlight than lighter-colored ones. Clothing made of synthetic fabric such as nylon and lycra tends to offer the best protection. Some products have built-in sun protection, as indicated by their UPF rating.

Hats are good protection against sunburn on lips, face, and scalp. Sunglasses can also help, but look for products that provide 100% UV protection. Learn more about the importance of UV wear for sun protection.

More on How to Stop Sunburn

One final tip: if you’re going to be in the sun for a while, reapply your sunscreen regularly. For best results, you should do it every two hours. Keep in mind that spray or powder sunscreens are often easier to reapply.

Want to know more about how to stop sunburn? Looking for other ways to improve the quality of your skin? Check out our Beauty section!