A Complete Guide to Treating Sunburns
By Mary Basiadima, 7 July 2025
Whether it’s a long day at the beach or just forgetting to reapply SPF, sunburn happens to the best of us. While prevention is always ideal, it’s also important to know how to care for your skin if you do get burned. Sunburn isn’t just temporary redness — repeated exposure can lead to long-term skin damage, pigmentation, and early signs of ageing. The good news is, there are effective ways to calm, soothe, and restore your skin after sunburn — both at home and through treatments. In a complete guide treating sunburns, we’ll walk through how to treat sunburns in the short term, what to do in the weeks that follow, and how advanced skin treatments can help repair deeper damage.
What Is a Sunburn and Why Does It Happen?
Sunburn is a clear sign that the skin has been overexposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either from the sun or tanning beds. It’s the result of UV damaging skin cells, triggering inflammation, redness, and in some cases, peeling or blistering. The skin’s natural healing response kicks in quickly, but repeated sunburns can lead to pigmentation issues, broken capillaries, fine lines, and uneven texture over time.
First Steps: Calming the Skin After Sunburn
As soon as you notice sunburn, the first step is to cool the skin and reduce inflammation. A cool (not cold) shower or a damp cloth can help bring immediate relief. Follow this with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser or aloe vera gel to soothe the area. Hydration is key — both topically and internally — so drink plenty of water to help your skin recover from within.
Avoid further sun exposure while the skin heals, and skip containing retinol, acids, or exfoliants, which can further irritate the area. It’s also best to wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid friction.
What to Expect in the Days After
Depending on the severity, sunburn may lead to peeling, dryness, or sensitivity for several days. Avoid at the skin, as this can lead to scarring or hyperpigmentation. Once the initial redness and inflammation settle, it’s a good time to start rebuilding the skin barrier and correcting any emerging damage, such as dark spots or uneven tone.
Long-Term Skin Repair After Sunburn
While moisturisers and serums can support the healing process, deeper sun damage often calls for advanced skin treatments. These treatments aren’t used during the acute sunburn phase but can be introduced once the skin has recovered, typically after 4–6 weeks.
Here are some options that can help improve skin texture, reduce pigmentation, and support collagen post-sunburn:
– A gentle laser treatment that exfoliates, brightens, and clears away impurities. It’s ideal for improving texture and dullness caused by sun exposure.
(Intense Pulsed Light) – This light-based therapy targets sun-induced pigmentation, redness, and broken capillaries. It’s effective for long-term sun damage on the face, neck, and décolletage.
– Designed to treat stubborn pigmentation and melasma, this peel helps reset uneven skin tone caused by sunburn or cumulative sun exposure.
– Known for its precision and minimal downtime, PicoSure Pro helps break down pigment and stimulate collagen, making it suitable for both sunspots and overall skin revitalisation.
– This Q-switched laser gently targets uneven and early sun damage without causing harm to surrounding skin.
These are not meant to “undo” it instantly, but they can significantly improve the skin’s appearance and reduce the signs of sun-related ageing when used as part of a personalised plan.
Can You Prevent Future Sunburn Damage?
Yes — and prevention is far easier than correction. Always apply or higher daily, even in cloudy weather. Reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors, especially if swimming or sweating. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can also go a long way in protecting delicate facial skin.
For those with a history of repeated sunburn or pigmentation concerns, regular skin assessments and maintenance treatments (like gentle laser facials or peels) can help keep the skin healthy, clear, and protected.
A Complete Guide to Treating Sunburns
sunburn isn’t just about calming redness — it’s about helping your skin recover and preventing long-term damage. Start with soothing care, give your skin time to heal, and consider professional treatments like IPL, PicoSure, or Carbon Laser Facials to restore brightness and clarity if needed. Prevention, of course, remains your best defence — but with the right support, your skin can bounce back beautifully.
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To help a sunburn heal more quickly, it’s to cool and the skin as soon as possible. Apply a cool compress or take a lukewarm shower, followed by a generous layer of fragrance-free moisturiser or aloe vera gel to soothe the area. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body, and avoid further sun exposure while your body heals. Over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol, can ease if needed. Avoid using exfoliants or active skincare ingredients, such as retinol or acids, until the skin is fully recovered.
The “sunburn finger test” is a quick way to check the severity of sunburn. Gently press your fingertip on the red area and then release.
If the skin temporarily turns white and then returns to red, it’s a sign of mild to moderate sunburn (known as blanching).
If there is no colour change, or the area feels stiff, or very painful, it could be a more severe burn, and you should seeking medical advice.
This test isn’t a substitute for clinical judgement, but it can give a general idea of whether your skin is inflamed or has moved into a deeper level of damage.
For more severe sunburn, follow this sequence:
Once the skin has fully healed, treatments such as laser facials or depigmentation peels can help address any lingering pigmentation or texture changes.
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