A sunburn can be painful and embarrassing—especially on your face. The pain and embarrassment are temporary, though, since most sunburns heal after a week or so.[1] The damage to your skin, however, is longer lasting, which is why it's so important to care for your sunburned skin and treat it properly. Here, we've gathered some of the most important tips you can use to treat your sunburned face, from the moment you realize you're burned until the symptoms go away, as well as what you can do to keep it from happening again.

2

Seek medical treatment if you have a fever.

3

Drink extra water.

  1. Sunburn draws fluid to the surface of your skin, causing dehydration. Because of this, you'll find that you need to drink more water than you usually do to make sure your body is getting enough fluids.[4] Drinking sports drinks can also help replenish electrolytes and help your skin heal more quickly.[5]
    • Pay attention to the color of your urine to make sure you're drinking enough water. It should be either clear or a pale yellow color if you're properly hydrated.
    • Keep this up the entire time you have symptoms of sunburn (usually about a week). Making sure you stay well-hydrated keeps your skin as healthy as possible and might ease your symptoms.
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4

Splash your face with cool water.

5

Clean and moisturize your face.

  1. A moisturizer with aloe vera will help calm the inflammation.[7] Wash your face with a mild facial cleanser and cool water. Gently pat it dry, leaving a little bit of water still on your skin. Dab the moisturizer onto your skin gently, rather than rubbing it. Vigorous rubbing can cause further damage to your skin. Reapply every hour or so, as needed, if your skin feels dry to the touch.[8]
    • Sunburn dries out your skin, so you might find that you need to moisturize more often than you normally do.
    • Creams with vitamins C and E might also help limit the damage to your skin.[9]
    • Avoid products with names that end in "-caine," because they can further irritate your skin and might cause an allergic reaction.[10]
    • Make sure you wash your hands before applying moisturizer, especially if your skin is cracked or peeling—you don't want to risk introducing bacteria.
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6

Take an NSAID pain reliever.

8

Avoid the sun until your skin is healed.

9

Moisturize peeling skin twice a day.

11

Take an antihistamine for itching.

12

Don't pick at blisters.

  1. Blisters form to protect healing skin so it's best to let them do their job. Skin that is in the process of healing after a severe burn is much more delicate than the normal skin on your face. If you have blisters, they're there to cover and protect that skin so that it doesn't become more damaged. When you pop blisters, you risk infection and also delay the healing process.[18]
    • Don't use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or any other oil-based ointments or creams on sunburned skin, especially if you're blistered. They can block the pores and lead to infection.[19]

Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How can I quickly heal my sunburn?
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer

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    Cold compresses will help get rid of any pain, especially if you use whole milk. You can also try applying pure aloe gel every day to help soothe your sunburn.
  • Question
    What if I've already started removing peeling skin? How can I prevent permanent scarring?
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
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    First, resist peeling away any more skin. Apply antibacterial ointment to the area where you removed the peeling skin and be sure to keep the area well moisturized. Stay well hydrated and avoid further sun exposure during the healing process. If you have concerns about permanent scarring, consult with a doctor.
  • Question
    I already peeled the blisters what should I do?
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer

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    Cleanse the area with clean water only, apply some petroleum jelly or antibacterial ointment to the blister, and then apply a nonstick bandage. Reapply ointment and bandage daily until healed. If during the healing process you notice signs of infection, call your doctor. Signs of infection include: increased pain, swelling, redness or warmth in the area, drainage of pus, red streaks extending away from the site, and fever.
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Warnings

  • If you experience nausea, dizziness, headache, fever and chills, or facial swelling, seek medical attention immediately. You might have heatstroke.[23]
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  • Sunburn might seem like a temporary problem that goes away relatively quickly, but having just 5 sunburns over the course of your life doubles your risk of developing skin cancer.[24]
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  • Check the expiration date on your sunscreen! Most sunscreens have a shelf-life of 2-3 years, so if you didn't buy yours recently, it may no longer be effective.[25]
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  • Always protect your skin from the sun when you're outside. Even a slight tan is skin damage, which can lead to premature wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.[26]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

Mohiba Tareen, MD
Co-authored by:
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology. This article has been viewed 183,522 times.
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Co-authors: 22
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 183,522
Categories: Sunburn

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

To treat sunburn, splash water on your face to cool it off or use a cold compress, like a towel. You can also take ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen to manage inflammation and pain. While you're waiting for your sunburn to heal, moisturize your skin every day and drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated. Equally, make sure to stay out of the sun as much as possible while you heal, and use SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen if you need to go outside. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to prevent sunburn on your face, read on!

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