A nose that goes unprotected shines like a beacon against the rest of your skin after exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Red, painful skin that feels feverish to the touch, as well as subsequent peeling, are the result of a sunburn, which Mayo Clinic experts point out can take several days to several weeks to completely go away. To prevent your nose from getting sunburned, choose and use a sunscreen recommended by medical professionals and take other measures to avoid exposing your face to the sun.
Step 1
Select a sunscreen recommended by medical professionals. The Mayo Clinic states that you can either choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which provides a physical barrier between your nose and UV rays; or a chemical sunscreen that contains ingredients such as avobenzone or oxybenzone, which absorbs UV rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends selecting a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. To ensure that your nose is better protected, pick a water-resistant sunscreen.
Step 2
Apply the sunscreen to your nose--and all other areas of the body exposed to the sun--30 minutes before you go outdoors. Sunscreen can lose its effectiveness, and needs to be reapplied every two hours or any time you sweat profusely, get out of the water, rub your face with a towel or when there's high humidity. UV rays penetrate though cloud cover, so don't neglect your nose on overcast days.
Step 3
Wear a hat. The Mayo Clinic advises choosing a hat of the wide-brimmed variety that provides shade not only to your nose, but to the rest of your face and neck. Caps and visors are generally insufficient to protect you against sunburn.
Step 4
Stay in the shade whenever you can. The AAD reminds you that the sun's rays are at their strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoid going out in the sun as much as possible during these hours. If you don't have the time, look at your shadow: if it's shorter than you are, you're more at risk for a bad burn.
Tips and Warnings
- For a sunburned nose, try home remedies recommended by the Mayo Clinic. These include taking an over-the-counter oral anti-inflammatory (aspirin or ibuprofen), using a cool compress and applying aloe vera lotion or gel to the affected area of skin.
- A sunburned nose isn't just a temporary blight on your visage; repeated sun exposure causes more permanent signs of photoaging on your face, says the Mayo Clinic--and that means tough, leathery skin; sun spots; and deep wrinkles.
Things You'll Need
- Water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30
- Wide-brimmed hat
