Sunburn Scaries: The Science Behind Sunburns
What is sunburn?
We all love a holiday! Beach and pool getaways are the best, so relaxing and leisurely. But what we absolutely do NOT love is when a beautiful sunny day spirals into the painful nightmare of sunburn.
Sunburn occurs when the skin is damaged by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This damage leads to redness, swelling, pain, and in severe cases, blistering. When your skin is sunburnt, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a sign of DNA damage in your skin cells. If you’re wondering how to fix sunburn or looking for effective cures for sunburn, read on for a simple explanation and solutions.
Why does your skin peel after sunburn?
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Sunburn Damage: UV rays damage the DNA in your skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response as your body tries to repair the skin.
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Inflammatory Response: The damaged cells release chemicals that cause inflammation—leading to redness, swelling, and pain. This is the body’s way of dealing with the immediate damage and protecting deeper skin layers.
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Cell Turnover: As a defence mechanism, your skin begins to shed the damaged outer layer. This process, known as exfoliation or peeling, replaces damaged cells with new, healthy ones from deeper layers.
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Peeling: As new skin forms underneath, the damaged skin peels away. Peeling is a clear sign of sun damage and a reminder to protect your skin in the future.
Now that you understand what sunburn is, let's focus on how to fix sunburn and the best cures for sunburn to promote healing and reduce peeling.
How to fix sunburn: The best cures for sunburn
If you're dealing with the pain and peeling of sunburn, here are the most effective ways to help your skin recover:
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Cool the Skin: Take cool baths or showers to soothe the burn and reduce inflammation. Avoid hot water as it can worsen irritation.
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Moisturise Regularly: Keep your skin hydrated with a gentle moisturiser. TRISWIM Lotion, originally formulated for swimmers, is an excellent cure for sunburn thanks to ingredients like aloe vera, panthenol (provitamin B5), glycerin, shea butter, coconut oil, and magnesium. These ingredients help soothe, heal, and reduce the likelihood of peeling. Apply TRISWIM Lotion immediately after sunburn and continue until your skin feels better.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to support the body’s natural healing process from the inside out.
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Avoid Further Sun Exposure: Stay out of the sun until your skin has healed. If you must go outside, wear protective clothing and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.
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Wear Loose Clothing: Opt for loose, breathable fabrics to minimise friction and irritation on sunburnt skin.
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Use SPF for Future Protection: Once your skin starts to heal, continue using sunscreen daily to protect the new skin from further UV damage and prevent future sunburn.
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Seek Medical Attention if Necessary: If your sunburn is severe, with blisters or signs of infection (such as increased redness, swelling, or pus), consult a healthcare professional immediately.
How to Prevent Sunburn in the Future
Prevention is key when it comes to sunburn. The best way to avoid sunburn is by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, staying in the shade during peak sun hours, and wearing protective clothing. Keeping your skin safe from UV rays will help you avoid the pain and long-term damage of sunburn.
By following these tips on how to fix sunburn and the best cures for sunburn, you can help your skin heal faster, reduce peeling, and minimise discomfort. Don’t let a sunny day ruin your holiday—take action to protect and heal your skin!