How to soothe a sunburn?

UVB radiation, which penetrates the dermis minimally, is responsible for tanning and sunburns, also known as actinic erythema. On the skin, a sunburn manifests as a burn causing redness, pain with itching (pruritus), and the possible appearance of blisters (phlyctenae). This reaction appears 8 to 24 hours after exposure. There are several levels of burns following sun exposure. The healing duration of a sunburn will depend on the severity of the burn.

It is important to note that sunburn can occur without direct exposure to the sun. Indeed, UVB rays are present regardless of the weather, and they are reflected by water, sand, and snow.

Sunburns increase the risk ofpremature skin agingand of developing skin cancers, particularly melanomas, due to UVA and UVB rays which are genotoxic (the ability of radiation to compromise the physical or functional integrity of the genome). There are various measures to adopt in order to soothe the pain caused by a sunburn.

• Firstly, it is necessary to cool the burn in order to alleviate the pain and prevent it from spreading further. If you do not exhibit any fever or chills, take a cool shower or bath for 15 minutes. If the affected area is small, you can apply damp compresses for 15 to 30 minutes.

• Then apply a moisturizing cream or gel. Ourmoisturizing gel soothes the skin and deeply hydrates it thanks to the aloe vera gel and bisabolol. Its cooling effect is ideal for calming the skin after sun exposure and thus preventing itching. It also contains orange blossom flower hydrosol, which is a powerful antioxidant. It will help protect the skin and promote its regeneration.

• Avoid any further prolonged and repeated exposure to the sun's rays during your healing time.

• Apply a sunscreen suitable for your skin type daily, even in the absence of sunlight! Our SPF30 face sunscreen provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while moisturizing and soothing your skin thanks to thealoe vera andhyaluronic acid.

• Wear covering clothing in order to protect the affected area.

• Rehydrate your body. Indeed, drinking water proves to be crucial in case of sunburn. Hydration contributes to faster healing. Therefore, it is essential to drink more than usual (at least 2 liters).

• Let the regeneration take its course. After a sunburn, the skin will naturally regenerate. Therefore, avoid popping blisters (risk of infection) or scratching peeling skin to remove it.