After a great day at the beach, you realize that you had forgotten to reapply your sunscreen. A patch of your skin is now red and itchy and a bit painful — the unmistakable signs of a sunburn. Fortunately, sunburns don’t last long.
So, how long does it take for a sunburn to heal? And is there any way to speed up the healing process?
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Sunburn symptoms
Sunburn is the skin’s reaction to UV (ultraviolet) light damage. UVB rays, the ones with shorter wavelengths, cause sunburns.
Your skin’s melanin levels determine the likelihood of you getting a sunburn. Some individuals get sunburns even without staying in the sun for too long. There are others who even get burnt on an overcast day. Melanin production depends on your genetics. But putting on sunscreen is a big help for everyone.
Sunburn symptoms vary. Skin redness is due to the blood rushing to small veins near the skin, while peeling happens because the skin is getting rid of damaged cells. Symptoms appear within a few hours after exposure to the sun. However, you will experience the full effects of the burn after 24 hours.
How long does sunburn last based on sunburn levels?
How long a sunburn lasts depends on how severe the sunburn is. Generally, sunburns can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Mild sunburns
Characterized by redness and some pain, mild sunburns can last from three to five days. Peeling may also occur later on as your skin regenerates.
Moderate sunburns
Moderate sunburns are characterized by redness, swelling, and being hot to the touch. They are also usually more painful than mild sunburns. Moderate burns typically last a week. Peeling may occur in the last few days.
Severe sunburns
Factors That Affect How Fast A Sunburn Heals
There’s no straight answer to “How long does sunburn last?” Just as the chances of getting a sunburn depend on many factors, the duration of a sunburn is determined by several factors, too. If you have fair skin or hair and freckles, it generally takes longer for your sunburns to heal.
Additionally, if these other factors apply to you, your sunburn is likely to last longer:
- You were exposed to the sun between 10 am and 3 pm.
- Your family has a history of skin cancer.
- You have a skin condition such as psoriasis.
- You have a couple of moles.
- You live in or are visiting a place near the equator.
- You used a tanning bed.
- You used “photosensitizing medications”, or drugs that make you more vulnerable to burns.
How Long Does Sunburn Pain Last?
Sunburn pain typically starts within six hours from sun exposure. It peaks after 24 hours. The good news is that sunburn pain often subsides after 48 hours.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and aspirin are great at reducing sunburn pain. A cool compress can also be relieving.
How Long Does Sunburn Swelling Last?
Sunburn swelling may last for up to two days. However, if you have a severe sunburn, it may last longer. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are helpful for reducing swelling.
How Long Does Sunburn Peeling Last?
Sunburn peeling often starts three days after you’ve been burned. Once the peeling starts, it persists for several days. It will stop when the skin is fully healed. A mild to moderate burn should heal within seven days, but some areas of your skin can peel for several weeks.
Drinking plenty of water will help your skin heal itself more quickly. When removing dead skin cells from peeling skin, be very gentle. Don’t pull or pick at the skin or exfoliate it because it will shed by itself. Your new skin is going to be delicate, so take extra care.
Taking a warm bath will help loosen dead skin cells. Moisturizing your peeling skin is alright too, as long as you use the right moisturizer and don’t feel a sting. Aloe vera gel is also highly recommended.
How Long Does Sunburn Itch Last?
Mild itching is a common symptom of a sunburn, but severe itching, aptly nicknamed “hell’s itch” or “devil’s itch” can last for days while the skin heals. While there is no definitive reason found for severe itching, a plausible theory is that it’s due to nerve endings being damaged and sending itching signals to the brain. Anyone with a severe sunburn can develop hell’s itch.
Sunburn itch can be uncomfortable and even painful. To relieve itching, take NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, naproxen) or antihistamines, use aloe vera, and take a bath with colloidal oatmeal. Avoid more sun exposure and drink lots of water.
Sunburn products & treatments for faster healing
Here’s a list of the best products and treatments that can help you with relieving sunburn pain, swelling, peeling, and itch.
Products for sunburn relief
- Aloe vera - Use an aloe vera plant as much as possible. If there is none available, make sure to buy fragrance-free aloe vera.
- Shea butter - Shea butter’s anti-inflammatory properties make it effective for first-degree burns and sunburns. It helps reduce swelling and redness.
What To Do For Sunburn Relief
- Applying a cold compress - Do not apply ice directly on sunburnt skin. Instead, use a cool compress.
- Drinking more water - Help your skin heal itself more quickly by keeping yourself hydrated. Plus, it’s good for combating skin dehydration.
- Taking a lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal - Bathing with oatmeal has been proven effective for reducing itch for chicken pox. It’s also good for relieving stubborn and severe sunburn itches.
Final Thoughts
Sunburn pain, swelling, peeling, itchiness, and redness can all go away within a few days if it’s a mild to moderate sunburn. But if your sunburn is severe, it is best to consult a medical professional.
Though sunburn symptoms can be relieved fairly quickly with the help of certain products and treatments, sunburn is not to be taken lightly. Always wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and SPF 40 sunscreen. Be extra careful if you’re at high risk for sunburn.
Taking care of your skin should be part of your daily routine. If you’d like to find products that suit your skin’s distinct needs, get personalized skincare products from Proven.
