Immediate Treatment (First 24 Hours)

  1. 1

    Cool the skin with water

    Get into a cool (not ice cold) shower or bath as soon as possible. Alternatively, apply cool damp cloths to the affected areas. Do this for at least 10 minutes. Avoid ice or very cold water — this can cause additional skin damage and shock.

  2. 2

    Apply aloe vera gel

    Aloe vera is the most evidence-backed treatment for sunburn. It soothes, hydrates and has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Use a product with pure aloe vera as the main ingredient (avoid products with alcohol, fragrance or benzocaine which can irritate). Store the gel in the fridge — applying it cold feels wonderful and provides additional cooling relief. Apply liberally and often.

  3. 3

    Take ibuprofen or aspirin

    Anti-inflammatory pain relievers (ibuprofen or aspirin) reduce pain, swelling and redness. Take as directed. Do not give aspirin to children — use paracetamol instead. Start these early — they are more effective taken before severe inflammation sets in.

  4. 4

    Drink plenty of water

    Sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of your body. Drink significantly more water than usual for the first 48 hours to prevent dehydration. Signs of dehydration alongside sunburn include dizziness, dry mouth and reduced urination.

  5. 5

    Moisturise regularly

    Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser frequently to prevent the skin drying out as it heals. Look for products with ceramides or hyaluronic acid. Avoid petroleum jelly on fresh sunburn — it traps heat in the skin.

  6. 6

    Stay covered and out of the sun

    Sunburned skin is highly photosensitive — re-exposure causes significantly faster and worse burning. Stay out of the sun entirely until the burn has healed, or cover with loose, cool clothing and high SPF sunscreen.

Do not pop blistersBlisters are your body's protection for healing skin underneath. Popping them significantly increases infection risk and slows healing. If a blister pops on its own, cover it with a clean bandage.
See a doctor if you haveFever above 38.5°C, chills, severe blistering over large areas of the body, confusion, extreme pain, nausea or signs of severe dehydration. These indicate a serious burn or heat illness requiring medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mild sunburn (redness, tenderness) heals in 3–5 days with proper care. Moderate burns with peeling take 7–10 days. Severe burns with blistering can take 2 weeks or longer. Peeling is normal — it is the skin shedding damaged cells. Do not peel skin forcibly.
No — these are myths and can make things worse. Toothpaste contains irritating chemicals. Butter and oils trap heat in the skin. Stick to aloe vera, cool water and gentle moisturiser. Yoghurt and cool milk have some soothing properties but aloe vera is more effective.