How to Treat Sunburn Fast (+ 10 Tips to Prevent One)

Looking for some easy ways to soothe your sunburn? Check out these tips for How to Treat Sunburn Fast at home!

Nothing beats those long, sunny Summer days spent on the lake or at the beach. Who doesn’t love waves crashing, sand in your toes, and lazy days spent lounging, right? Except… when the burn sets in. Ouch!

Whether you’re at home or off Traveling, there’s nothing fun about getting a sunburn. But just in case you get one, I’ve got you covered with these natural tips for How to Treat Sunburn Fast! Plus, don’t miss my top 10 tips to prevent one as well.

So if you’ve got a burn now, or if you’re just wondering how to prevent a sunburn this Summer, here’s everything you need to know, including how to treat your sunburn naturally…

How to Treat a Sunburn

Place an Ice Pack or Cool Compress on the Sunburn

As simple as it sounds, holding an icepack or cool compress up to your sunburn is the perfect first step to relieving the pain, and soothing your skin.

Soothe Your Sunburn With Vinegar!

Then… it’s time to grab the vinegar! It may sound odd, but vinegar can actually be seriously soothing when your skin is ablaze with a burn.  My grandma swore by this trick, and it really does work like a charm!  In a small bowl, mix together equal parts Vinegar and Water.  Then soak a wash cloth in the mixture, ring out, and apply to your burn.  Or for smaller areas or your face, you can apply using a cotton ball.

Use Real Aloe to Treat Sunburn {95% or Higher}

After you’ve cooled your burn with ice and soothed it with vinegar, now it’s time for the Aloe Vera! Just make sure to get the real Aloe, with 95%+ aloe in the bottle, as opposed to the commonly found watered down aloe that so many stores sell. The watered down version isn’t nearly as effective, so either go straight for the plant if you have one growing in your yard, or use a Natural Aloe Vera. {always check the label before buying} Reapply as needed… your skin will LOVE the soothing benefits of the aloe vera plant.

Drink Water and Stay Hydrated

The last thing you’ll want to do is drink, drink, drink. Water, that is. Drinking water and staying hydrated is another excellent remedy for a sunburn. Because the sunburn draws liquids away from the rest of the body, it’s easy to get dehydrated fast. So drinking water frequently and staying hydrated can help the sunburn heal even more quickly.

How to Prevent a Sunburn – 10 Easy Tips

#1: Wear Sunscreen

I know this is blindingly obvious, but wearing sunscreen is the easiest way to avoid sunburns! Just don’t forget to apply it on higher risk areas that we often forget about, such as:

• Ears
• Neck
• Tops of Feet
• Any place on your head with little to no hair, including hair parts.

#2: Apply Sunscreen 30 Minutes Before Going Outside

Now, it usually takes sunscreen a little while to fully set in and begin working, so don’t wait until you get to the beach or lake to start lathering it one. Be sure to apply your sunscreen about 30 minutes before heading outside. This way, you can be sure that it’s in full force when you’re having fun out in the sun.

#3: Use SPF 30 or Higher Sunscreen

Using sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 should be protective enough for most people. This will help block the majority of the sun’s UVB rays.

#4: Look for Shade… or Bring Your Own

Are you heading out for a hike, or will you be spending the day at the beach? Spending some time in the shade is another easy way to reduce your sunburn risk. You can always bring an umbrella, or sit underneath a tree for shade. In addition to shielding yourself from the sun, you greatly diminish the chance of getting a sunburn!

#5: Use Water-Resistant Sunscreen

Now if you’re at the beach, lake, or pool, just remember to wear water-resistant sunscreen!

#6: Reapply Lotion Every 2 Hours

If you’ll be out for several hours, don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every two hours! I know it’s easy to forget when you’re outside playing, but trust me… you’ll be so glad you did. Consider setting an alarm on your phone as a reminder.

#7: Don’t Forget the Hat and Sunglasses

Wearing a hat is an easy way to shade your face from the sun, and sunglasses will help protect your eyes. When selecting hats, consider hats with bills to shade the sensitive skin around your eyes, or wide brimmed hats to shade even more of your face.

#8: Avoid Going Out From 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

The peak hours of sun intensity are from 10:00AM – 2:00PM. By simply avoiding the late morning and early afternoon, you can really reduce the risk of getting a sunburn!

#9: Wear a Rashguard, Light Pants, or Long Sleeves

If you’re at the beach or lake, wearing a Rashguard will protect almost all of your upper body. It’s an easy way to save so much sunscreen, too! Or if you’re on a hike, consider wearing light weight long pants or long sleeves if the weather allows.

#10: Protect Your Lips With SPF Chapstick

And last but most definitely not least, don’t forget your lips! Your lips are susceptible to sunburns and need to be protected, too. The easiest way to protect them is by wearing chapstick with SPF. Cracked and burned lips are no fun!

So, are you looking for even more Great Travel Tips and Tricks? Keep scrolling to find even more ways to make your next trip awesome…

Staying Healthy While Traveling

Getting sick while traveling can be such a drag.  Trust me… I know!  Staying Healthy While Traveling doesn’t need to a challenge, though!  There are so many simple things you can do to stay healthier on your next trip!

Beating Jet Lag

Today is the day we say goodbye to one of our old travel companions: jet lag!  In fact, Beating Jet Lag is surprisingly easy if you know what to do! So are you ready to officially say goodbye to drowsiness, being lightheaded, and waking up in the middle of the night?  I thought so!

Vacation Travel Safety Tips

There are so many easy tricks to safe safe while traveling! Don’t have a trip ruined by a pickpocket taking your wallet, or getting luggage stolen. So go check out these simple, preventative measures to have a great time!

How to Keep Clothes Clean While Traveling

So if you’ve been wondering exactly How to Keep Clothes Clean While Traveling, you’ve come to the right place!  Why settle for overpriced hotel/apartment laundry or spend the better part of a day at a laundromat when you could simply use these travel laundry tips for a fraction of the time, money, and hassle?!

How to Save Data While Traveling

Are you planning a trip overseas for vacation or business? These easy tips and tricks will show you How to Save Data While Traveling! Whether you’ve traveled abroad in the past, or this is your first trip, one important thing you’ll want to do while you’re gone is to minimize international roaming charges.

Best Suitcase Packing Tips

So, are you planning your next vacation?  Packing your suitcase doesn’t need to be a challenge!  These Best Suitcase Packing Tips will show you how to pack your suitcase light and efficiently in only steps that are so simple and easy – nothing complex here!

Bucket List Trips

Travel planning can be an exciting process!  Long evenings spent poring over maps, intense afternoons flipping through guidebooks, and budget research are all just some of the wonderful joys of planning your next adventure. If you’re not quite decided on where to go, don’t worry!  Based on the places I’ve visited, these Bucket List Trips will show you what I believe are some of the most incredible destinations across America and around the globe!

So now that you’ve seen all of these ways for How to Treat Sunburn Fast, don’t miss out on anything else!  Follow along with Never Ending Journeys for more fun Travel Inspiration and Ideas!

So, what are YOUR Best Tips for How to Treat Sunburn Fast?

Or do you have any favorite tricks for how to prevent burns?

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