How to Heal Sunburn

Four experts give their opinions on sunburn treatments.

More on:

• Summer Season
• Skin Cancer

One Common Problem -- Four Expert Solutions.

The Dermatologist
Take an anti-inflammatory in the first 12 hours to reduce the ultimate damage and ease pain. See a doctor if you've got swelling or blisters, or if you feel sick. He may give you antibiotics to ward off infection. If not, stick to the pain pills, moisturize your skin and try soothing cold compresses. One bad burn boosts the risk of skin cancer, so see a dermatologist for skin checks.

David E. Bank, MD,
Director, Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery,
Mount Kisco, New York

The Plastic Surgeon
Treat symptoms with cold compresses and a moisturizer. Avoid the sun, or cover your burn when you do go out. If skin starts peeling, leave it alone, since picking it off can lead to bleeding and scars. If you notice either, wait 6 to 12 months to let the skin heal. Then a doctor may treat it with a chemical peel.

Rod Rohrich, MD,
Chairman of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center,
Dallas, Texas

The Nutritionist
To help prevent burns, take beta carotene and vitamin E supplements before you go out in the sun. If you're already feeling the pain of a burn, moisturize your skin using creams with vitamin E or flaxseed, chamomile, lavender or almond oils. All may help speed healing, prevent scarring and reduce irritation and inflammation.

John Foreyt, PhD,
Director, Nutrition Research Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine,
Houston, Texas

The Beauty Pro
Drink lots of water; avoid hot showers or baths (heat dries out skin). Take a lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal, chamomile tea bags and a few tablespoons of baking soda to relieve pain. Moisturize with alcohol- and perfume-free lotion. If you see freckling or skin problems after you heal, an aesthetician can exfoliate and heal the skin with microdermabrasion.

Kelly Charron, Director,
Spa Education & Development, Klinger Advanced Aesthetics

From Reader's Digest - July 2006

 

• Stop Smoking for Good
• Get smart about your body with Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz.
• 
• Who Needs Sleep?
• Get smart about your body with Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz.
• 
• What's So Bad About Corn?
• Get smart about your body with Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz.
• 
• Cool New Ways to Save Your Skin
• Innovative products to keep your skin safe from the sun.
• 
• Is Your Sunscreen Right For You?
• Protect your skin with sunscreen that works best for you.
• 
• What You Must Know About Skin Cancer
• Guide to skin cancer basics, including risk factors, treatments, prevention.
• 
• Skin Self-Check
• 

After burying his mother nine months earlier, a client of the local mortuary finally had enough money to purchase the expensive coffin he'd originally wanted. So we exhumed the body and transferred his deceased mother into the new steel casket. "What's so special about this coffin?" I asked the funeral director.

He replied, "It has a lifetime warranty."

-- Joel Melendez

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