The days following a sunburn are terrible, but the worst part?
The itchy, peeling skin.
Meet the Experts
Why Do Sunburns Peel?
Stocksy
In short, it’s part of thehealing process.
“When the skin gets burned, the cells get damaged,” Dr. Mark, explains.
“The body works to get rid of the damage, which results in peeling skin.”
Is It Bad to Peel a Sunburn?
Yes, it is.
Dr. Brauer, stresses the importance of avoiding exfoliating or picking atsunburnedskin.
“you’re gonna wanna let your body heal naturally,” he says.
Can You Prevent Sunburn Peeling?
“The best way to prevent sunburn peeling is to prevent the sunburn,” Dr. Brauer says.
How Can I Treat a Peeling Sunburn?
The rules for treating burnt skin are the same whether or not the skin is peeling.
Cool baths and OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also help ease some of the discomfort.
Most importantly, ensure to moisturize the area.
“By doing so, dryness, redness, and irritation may be diminished.”
He recommends looking for ingredients like aloe vera and soy, which are moisturizing and soothing.
Byrdie Tip
Keep your moisturizer in the fridge to help cool and soothe your sensitive, burned skin.
Picking at or exfoliating your sunburn can lead to uneven skin tone,scarring, and even painful blisters.
The best course of action is to let the sunburn heal naturally.
If your main objective is to have golden, sunkissed skin, the best (and safest!)
way to go about it is by getting a spray tan or applying a self-tanner.
2021;112(2):159-166.
