It's a heatwave! The sun is shining and thermometers are going crazy all over France these days. After a rather rainy start to the summer, these weather conditions make you want to enjoy the sun, whether by the sea or in green spaces. But beware of sunburn, which can appear in just a few minutes.
In fact, the UV index, which measures the intensity of solar radiation, can reach up to 9 or 10 during a heatwave. This corresponds to a "very strong" index, meaning that sunburn can occur after only 15 minutes of exposure for people with very fair and sensitive skin and after 30 minutes for people with normal skin. This period can even be reduced to 10-20 minutes in the case of a UV index higher than 10.
If you are unfortunately in this case, don't panic! We guide you with simple and effective tips to relieve your skin and promote its healing. Here is everything you need to do to take care of yourself after sunburn.
Sunburn is an inflammatory response of the skin.
UVB radiation, which penetrates the dermis poorly, is responsible for tanning and sunburn, also called actinic erythema. On the skin, sunburn manifests itself as a burn resulting in redness, pain accompanied by itching (pruritus) and the possibility of blisters (phlyctenae). This reaction generally occurs 8 to 24 hours after exposure. There are several levels of severity of sunburns, and the healing time of a sunburn will depend on the severity of the burn.
The right actions to take after sunburn
- Take a sun break: First, end sun exposure. Find a shady spot or stay indoors to give your skin a break. The last thing you need is to add to the pain.
- Cooling the burn : To relieve pain and limit the spread of the burn, start by cooling the affected area. If you do not have a fever or chills, take a cool shower or bath for 15 minutes. If the affected area is small, you can apply wet compresses for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Apply a moisturizing cream or gel : Use a moisturizing gel to soothe and deeply hydrate the skin. For example, our Rehydrating Mask , it contains aloe vera gel and hyaluronic acid known for their soothing and refreshing properties, ideal after sun exposure. It also contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin and promotes its regeneration, but also cucumber extract which has soothing and refreshing properties.
- Avoid further sun exposure : During the healing period, avoid prolonged and repeated exposure to the sun's rays.
- Use a suitable sunscreen : Apply a sunscreen suitable for your phototype every day, even when there is no sun.
- Wear covering clothing : To protect the affected area, choose covering clothing that will avoid any direct contact with the sun.
- Rehydrate your body : Drinking enough water is crucial after sunburn, as hydration helps in faster healing. It is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
- Allow natural regeneration to occur : Skin will naturally regenerate after sunburn. Avoid bursting blisters (to prevent infection) or scratching peeling skin.
- Opt for anti-inflammatories if needed: Medications like ibuprofen or aspirin can help reduce pain and swelling. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
