While summer is a great time to soak up the sun, it’s crucial to protect your skin from getting sunburned. If you didn’t apply enough sunscreen and forgot to reapply, you may now be experiencing sunburn that is extremely painful and leaves your skin looking scaly and flaky. While sunburn is never ideal, peeling is a natural part of the healing process, indicating that your body is shedding dead and damaged skin cells affected by the sun’s harmful UV rays.
As part of the healing process, peeling allows damaged skin to shed and promotes the regeneration of a new layer of skin for protection. However, during this time, the sunburned skin is susceptible to further damage. It is essential to remember that peeling occurs because the skin has sustained significant damage from ultraviolet light exposure.
Read ahead to know if is it bad to peel sunburn.
Why does the skin peel?
While melanin in the skin provides some protection against UV rays, excessive exposure to UV light can weaken the skin’s natural defenses. This can result in damage to the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, causing cell burning. The skin responds by shedding these damaged cells to make room for new ones. Severe sunburn can lead to peeling, which cannot be avoided. The two options are to prevent sunburn altogether or allow the peeling process to occur naturally.
How to treat sunburn peeling?
Even with most preventive measures, it is still possible to get sunburn that can cause painful, itchy, and unsightly peeling. Here’s how to best treat sunburn peeling and promote skin healing:
Keep Your Skin Moisturized
When your skin gets sunburned, it loses moisture and becomes dehydrated, leading to the risk of peeling. So, it’s vital to moisturize your skin to avoid dryness. You can use a gentle lotion or cream with Aloe Vera or soy that can effectively soothe your skin and minimize inflammation.
Take a Cool Bath or Shower
Want to alleviate the discomfort and inflammation caused by sunburn peeling? Take a cool bath or shower. Avoid hot water, which can dry out your skin more. Also, use gentle soap and avoid scrubbing, as it can irritate your skin further.
Apply Sunburn Peel Treatments
To soothe and heal sunburn peeling, you can use over-the-counter products. Find a product with hydrocortisone to reduce redness and inflammation. You can also opt for creams that contain lidocaine or menthol to relieve itching and discomfort.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is essential for overall health, but it’s especially important when you have a sunburn. Sunburned skin loses moisture more quickly, which can cause dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids, including water, herbal tea, and natural juice without sugar.
Avoid Sun Exposure
One of the best ways to treat sunburn peeling is to avoid further sun exposure. Sunburned skin is extremely delicate and can easily be damaged again. If you have to go outside, wear a hat, and long-sleeved clothing, and use a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Consult a Dermatologist
If your sunburn peeling is severe and you’re in a lot of pain, it’s important to seek medical attention. A dermatologist can prescribe medications to help ease the discomfort. They can also monitor your condition to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
Consume Sunburn Drink
Another great way to effectively cure peeling skin or prevent it altogether; is Sunburn Drink is formulated with essential vitamins and minerals. It is packed with powerful nutrients and antioxidants required to prevent sunburn and treat it. The organic ingredients make it safe for kids to consume.
Is it bad to peel sunburn?
While it may be tempting to peel your sunburn, experts strongly advise against it. Picking or exfoliating can result in uneven skin tone, scarring, and painful blisters. Mild sunburns typically do not result in scarring. It is important to refrain from peeling or vigorously scrubbing the skin in sunburned areas. These actions can cause pigmentary changes that may resemble scarring, particularly in darker skin tones, but these changes will usually fade over time. Instead, prioritize keeping the skin well-hydrated and protected as it heals, and allow the skin to naturally peel off.
The best approach is to allow the sunburn to heal naturally. In the meantime, you can manage the affected area by avoiding the sun, wearing sunscreen, and using soothing moisturizers. Do not exfoliate during this stage, as it can worsen the condition and cause further damage. Remember that the healing skin is fragile, and excessive touching or rubbing can lead to infections. Keep your skin moisturized to promote healing and prevent dryness. Apply coconut oil or other natural oils to soothe the area and create a protective barrier.
Conclusion
The final take on whether is it bad to peel sunburn would be to avoid doing it at all costs. It is important to let your sunburn peel naturally. Do not try to pick or peel off the skin, as this can cause further damage to the skin and increase the risk of infection. Instead, follow the tips mentioned above to soothe and heal your sunburn peeling safely and effectively. With a little patience and care, your skin will soon be back to a healthy state.
