As if dealing with the itching and pain of a sunburn isn't enough, your damaged skin often peels as well. While it might be tempting to help your body shed this skin by picking at it, keep your fingers away from your peeling skin. Instead, take care of your skin by keeping it hydrated, applying appropriate creams and taking precautions in the future to prevent future sunburns and peeling.
Step 1
Avoid exposing your burned skin to heat. Take very brief showers and baths and don't use hot water. Instead, take a lukewarm or even a cool shower or bath. Likewise, try to avoid hot temperatures and don't sit out in the sun.
Step 2
Apply a moisturizer right after bathing to rehydrate your skin and allow your body to take in some of the moisture from the bath. The moisturizer then acts as a sealant to the elements and protects your skin, allowing it to heal more quickly.
Step 3
Use an aloe vera gel on your skin every four hours or so to soothe your skin, ease itching and prevent peeling. Aloe vera hydrates your skin and makes peeling less noticeable.
Step 4
Use a humidifier in your bedroom to keep the air moist and to prevent your skin from drying out. The moisture in the air will keep your skin hydrated and prevent some peeling. At the very least, it will reduce the flakiness of your skin, making peeling less irritating, itchy and visible.
Step 5
Treat areas where skin has fallen off or is hanging with an antibacterial cream to reduce the chances of infection. This will also speed healing. If skin is hanging and poses a risk of ripping off unexpectedly, snip it off with sterile scissors.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizer
- Aloe vera gel
- Humidifier
- Antibacterial cream
- Sterile scissors
