Immediate Treatment

  1. 1

    Cool the skin — not with ice

    Get out of the sun immediately. Take a cool (not cold) shower or bath, or apply cool damp cloths to the affected area. Cold water or ice can cause additional tissue damage to already compromised skin — cool is the right temperature. Pat dry gently — do not rub.

  2. 2

    Apply aloe vera gel

    Aloe vera is the most evidence-backed topical treatment for sunburn — it soothes, reduces inflammation and helps maintain moisture. Use a pure gel (refrigerate it first for extra cooling relief). Apply generously to all affected areas. Reapply every few hours. Avoid products with alcohol or benzocaine (numbing cream) — these can further irritate burned skin.

  3. 3

    Take ibuprofen or paracetamol

    Ibuprofen (Nurofen) reduces both pain and inflammation, making it the better choice for sunburn specifically. Paracetamol addresses pain only. Take within the first few hours of burn onset for most benefit. Follow standard dosing instructions.

  4. 4

    Drink plenty of water

    Sunburn draws fluid toward the skin surface and away from the rest of the body. Increased hydration helps recovery. Drink water consistently throughout the recovery period — more than usual.

  5. 5

    Keep the skin moisturised as it heals

    Once the initial heat has subsided (after 24–48 hours), apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser to prevent excessive peeling and dryness. Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin or shea butter. Avoid petroleum jelly (Vaseline) in the acute phase as it traps heat, but it is useful for very dry or peeling skin later in recovery.

What Not to Do

  • Do not pop blisters — blisters are a sign of second-degree burns. They protect the skin underneath from infection. If a blister breaks on its own, cover with a clean bandage.
  • Do not apply butter, oil or toothpaste — these trap heat and increase infection risk.
  • Do not return to the sun until the burn has fully healed — sunburned skin has minimal UV protection.
  • Do not peel the skin — let it shed naturally.
See a doctor if: Blisters cover a large area. Severe pain, fever above 38°C, chills, nausea, confusion or extreme fatigue (signs of sun stroke). The burn affects the face, hands, feet, genitals or a large proportion of the body. A child under 1 year has sunburn — always seek medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mild sunburn (red, tender) typically fades within 3–5 days with appropriate treatment. More significant burns with blistering can take 1–2 weeks to fully heal. Peeling usually begins 3–5 days after the burn as the damaged outer skin sheds. The skin underneath is new and particularly vulnerable — apply sunscreen and protect it carefully once it is exposed.
Sometimes — after the damaged skin peels, the underlying skin may be slightly darker as a result of increased melanin production (the skin’s UV defence response). However, this is not a healthy or safe process. Each sunburn permanently damages DNA in skin cells and increases the risk of skin cancer. There is no such thing as a “base tan” that safely prepares skin for sun exposure — any tan represents UV damage.