How To Get Rid of a Sunburn FAST: 7+ Tips and Tricks

by John Griffith
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The fact is: no matter if your sunburn is severe or mild, it’s still a pain. However, it also happens. Especially during summer when the sun is at its strongest. Sometimes you forget about the SPF or you fall asleep on the beach. No matter how the sunburn happened, it’s now time to deal with the consequences. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways you can help the sunburn go away. So, here is how to get rid of a sunburn fast.

No matter if your sunburn is severe or mild, it’s still a pain

people tanning on the beach coast

How To Get Rid of a Sunburn Fast

When the UV rays inflame the skin cells, this causes redness, soreness, and itching. This is what we refer to as a sunburn. It’s incredibly important to use SPF and protect yourself from the sun as much as possible. Too much exposure to sunlight changes the genetic makeup of your skin cells. This makes the aging process go faster and well as make you more susceptible to certain skin cancers. So, while a sunburn can happen from time to time, it’s best to try to avoid them. But let’s first get you out of the sunburn pickle.

It’s incredibly important to use SPF and protect yourself from the sun

how to get rid of a sunburn fast woman sitting on the beach tanning reading a book

Yogurt

Yep, yogurt. While it may seem ridiculous, plain yogurt is packed with good enzymes and probiotics that do wonders for the skin. Just take some plain, unsweetened, unflavored yogurt and treat the area with it. Leave it on the skin for around fifteen minutes and then wash it off with some lukewarm water.

Plain yogurt is packed with good enzymes and probiotics

plain white yogurt in a bowl with berries

Cool Bath

It’s essential to try to get the heat out of your skin. So, take a cool shower or a bath. Make sure to keep the water on the cooler side and apply a moisturizer as soon as you get out. The water will help reduce some of the inflammation and relive the symptoms of pain. Adding the moisturizer will help trap some of the moisture which will help with the dryness.

Make sure to keep the water on the cooler side and apply a moisturizer as soon as you get out

sunburn treatments shower with running water close yp

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is famous for it’s soothing properties. No matter if you use a product that contains aloe vera, or you use the gel straight from the plant, it’s still super effective. It will help cool down the burn, as well as accelerate the healing process. This plant is rich in antioxidants, and it has antibacterial properties. It’s also very hydrating. Win-win!

Aloe vera helps cool down the burn, as well as accelerate the healing process

hands holding two pots of aloe vera

Vaseline

Slugging may come in handy when it comes to sunburns. The term slugging means slathering areas of your face or body with petroleum jelly or Vaseline. This is done to help protect the skin from losing water and keep it hydrating. In areas where your sunburn is more severe, it’s a good idea to use Vaseline and practice this method in order to prevent even more water loss of the skin.

Slugging may come in handy when it comes to sunburns

woman applying vaseline slugging her skin

Hydrate

It’s very important to drink plenty of water if you have a sunburn and stay hydrated. This is because the burns draw the fluids from your body towards the skin’s surface. So, in order to offset that water loss it is critical to drink plenty of water. Make sure to also stay out of the sun to help avoid even more dehydration.

Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated 

get rid of a sunburn glass of water splashed

Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal isn’t only for eating. It’s also great for taking baths in. Soaking in an oatmeal bath can help reduce the inflammation and get rid of the itching created by a sunburn. These types of baths are also great for treating razor burns.

Oatmeal isn’t only for eating

oatmeal in a jar next to honey and milk

Tea

Use green or black tea to pull the heat from a sunburn. These types of tea contain tannic acid which helps get rid of the heat, while catechins which are an antioxidant compound helps to repair any damage to the skin. This is especially useful if you have burns around sensitive skin such as the eyes. Take two teabags and soak them in cool water. Then place them on your eyes or the burnt area. This will help get rid of some of the pain and the swelling.

Take two teabags and soak them in cool water

green tea in a cup and leaves around it

These were all the tips and tricks we have for you on how to get rid of a sunburn fast. We hope you found this useful. However, as we mentioned it’s best to prevent sunburns rather than treat them. So, make sure to use proper sun protection during the summer time, as well as winter! No matter the season, the sun is still there.

It’s best to prevent sunburns rather than treat them

woman putting on sunscreen on her face

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.