How to Treat Sun Damage
- 1). The Mayo Clinic recommends sitting in a cool bath of water or taking a cool shower to alleviate the burning and stinging of a sunburn. Apply a cool cloth to burned skin to ease discomfort.
- 2). Take pain relievers. According to "The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies," medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin relieve inflammation and help soothe pain from a sunburn. Use as directed.
- 3). Protect blisters. Touching or rubbing blisters against clothing can cause additional pain. Medline Plus recommends wrapping a medical bandage or gauze around blistered, sun-damaged skin to alleviate further pain. Purchase bandages from grocery stores or pharmacies.
- 4). Apply lotion to alleviate dryness. Keep your skin moisturized with lotion to reduce peeling and dryness.
- 5). Use an anti-itch cream. Topical creams such as cortisone help alleviate itching and irritation associated with sun damaged skin.
- 6). Use skin products. Long-term exposure to the sun can damage skin cells. According to Burn Survivors Throughout the World, Inc., repair these cells and reduce wrinkles and skin discoloration by using OTC and prescription skin products that contain vitamin A, soy, retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids. Ask a dermatologist for recommendations.
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