Sunburn on the face - caution, precaution, and treatment

Sunburn is undeniable proof of how harmful the sun can be to your skin!

It’s no surprise that ‘face sunburn treatment’ is among the most searched skincare questions online. In a tropical country like India, where the sun often shines at its peak, constant exposure to harsh UV rays increases your risk of sunburn, leading to sun damage and pigmentation.

Sunburn can occur as rapidly as a fire burn or develop gradually over time. If left untreated, it can progress into serious skin concerns, including skin cancer.

This is why sunscreen application is a non-negotiable step to prevent sunburn and protect your skin.

But if you are still dealing with sunburn, we have you covered. 

Here’s everything you need to know about it—its causes, prevention, and effective treatments for sunburn on the face.

What do you need to know about sunburn on the face?

Completely exposed and more delicate and sensitive than the rest of your body, your face is at the highest risk for sunburn.  

Without adequate protection and shade, your face can sunburn faster than other parts of the body. Sunburn on the face is classified into 3 degrees.

1. First degree: It is the first stage, where your skin develops redness and a rising burning sensation; sometimes swelling. If ignored, you slowly transcend to the second degree. 

2. 2nd degree:  This stage is marked by increased pain, redness, and pus-filled blisters that can be intensely itchy and irritating. The affected area may feel swollen, with the discomfort heightened by a stronger burning sensation. Your skin might also peel out while healing. 

3. Third degree: As rare as it may be, it is equally serious. A third-degree sunburn means that your skin has undergone deep tissue damage, down to the innermost layers of the skin, and needs urgent treatment. The pain can become unbearable and even lead to numbness indicating nerve damage. 

Sunburn isn’t limited to beach days or outdoor sports. Everyday actions- like running an errand, walking your dog, or simply walking to the bus stop- can add up if you're exposed to the sun without sunscreen or protective clothing, gradually causing significant skin damage in the form of sunburn.

How to heal sunburn on the face?

Your skin does not heal a sunburn overnight. 

Depending on the severity of the sunburn, it can take 3 days to several weeks for your skin to return to its former healthy self. But your efforts can help your skin heal, sooner. 

During this time, skin peeling is natural and signals healing because your body sheds dead cells, repairing the damage with new skin. So it is crucial to treat sunburn as soon as you notice it. 

How to prevent face sunburn?

While you can protect the rest of your body with clothing, your face is often exposed, making it crucial to take extra precautions when stepping out in the sun. 

The first step to prevent sunburn is avoiding stepping outdoors between peak hours i.e. between 12-4 pm. 

If you absolutely cannot avoid it, you must apply & reapply sunscreen generously on your skin and use protective shades such as hats, sunglasses, and scarves. 

Hydrate yourself adequately to prevent dehydration and sunburn effects on the skin. 

Sunscreen declaration: Skipping sunscreen is a crime against your skin and every formula, irrespective of its active ingredients will need reapplication. Opt for a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF or above, even indoors, and reapply throughout the day. 

Apply it 15 minutes before you step into the sun, allowing it time to activate in your skin (the only exception is a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t require a headstart before sun exposure). 

Treatment for sunburn on the face:

Face sunburn treatment is not complex but requires consistent effort and attention. While you can’t magically heal your skin after sunburn,  you can fast-track the process. 

You must never ignore any signs of sunburn, instead start acting the moment you notice the first sign. 

Here are a few things you can do to get some relief from sunburn on your face:

1. Avoid the sun: During the healing process, avoid sun exposure as much as possible to prevent further damage. If you do step out, opt for sun-suited clothing- long sleeves, hats and caps, and outfits that ensure maximum protection from UV rays. 

2. Cool the skin: A cool bath can give you a lot of relief from sunburn pain. However, avoid using ice directly on the sunburned area as it can irritate your sensitized skin.
   A cold compress with a washcloth soaked in cold water can give you instant relief by soothing the sore areas.
   Aloe vera or cucumber mask can also be an excellent choice to cool your sore sunburned skin. As natural cooling agents that are also anti-inflammatory, applying them on your sunburned skin, generously, multiple times, can provide a lot of relief from the pain and burning sensation. 

3. Avoid touching your skin: Don't pop the blisters, scratch the itchy areas, or peel out your skin.
   Blisters are your skin’s defense mechanism to prevent infections. Do not pop, or scratch the blisters and affected areas.
   By scratching or peeling your skin or popping a blister, you only undo the healing process so far and increase the risk of an infection in the affected areas. 

4. Moisturize and hydrate:  Hydrate your skin well. Lather your skin with an intense hydration moisturizer with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to ensure moisture attraction and retention in the affected areas. Meanwhile, drink lots of water to stay hydrated and replenish the water level in your body to support the healing process further. 

5. Apply Sunscreen:  Follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, even indoors, to prevent any more damage to the affected areas. 

6. Use Hydrocortisone cream: Typically used to treat swelling, irritation, and itchiness, topical use of these creams can also provide relief from sunburn. 

While your skin can heal from a sunburn, prolonged exposure can cause irreversible damage over time. 

By accelerating aging and inducing hyperpigmentation and skin trauma, sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer substantially. 

Fact: With each minute of sun exposure, there is an increased risk of developing skin cancer significantly. Five or more 2nd degree sunburns between ages 5 and 20  can increase one's melanoma risk by 80% and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by 68%.

So, never face the sun without a broad-spectrum sunscreen! Avoid stepping down at peak hours and use protective clothing to stay safe against sun damage.

Cultivate loving and caring habits for your skin today, and it will thank you tomorrow!

FAQs:

How do you treat sunburn on your face?

The first aid to sunburn is cooling the affected area with a cold bath or using a cooling ingredient like aloe vera.

The healing can take a couple of days. During this time, avoid additional sun exposure, stay hydrated, use hydrating moisturizer, and incorporate active ingredients like vitamin C and kojic acid in your skincare routine, to treat the skin damage. 

How long does sunburn on the face last?

Depending on the degree of the sunburn, healing can take anywhere between 3 days to a couple of weeks. 

What to put on your face immediately after sunburn?

A cold bath or a generous application of cooling agents like aloe vera gel can help you get relief from the burning sensation. Do not apply ice directly on the affected areas as that can further sensitize the skin. 

How to remove sunburn marks from the face?

A dedicated skincare can give you an effective cure for sunburn marks or sun-induced hyperpigmentation. 

How can you get rid of sunburn fast?

A sunburn cannot be cured overnight and can take anywhere between 3 days to several weeks to heal. But definitely, you can make efforts to speed up the process. Consistent skincare and reduced sun exposure can boost skin repair. 

What’s the difference between sunburn and suntan?

Sun tan is the skin’s defense mechanism against sun exposure, in which it releases melanin which darkens your skin but sunburn is the damage caused to your skin cells due to prolonged exposure to sun.