[Luna]

It'll take a good few days for your skin to start feeling normal again.. maybe even a week or more... I get sunburned all the time.. it sucks.

[ultramarine]

Aloe is the best IMHO. The results are visible inmediately ... and real aloe leaves are really good ..you may keep 'em on the fridge for a nice cool/relieving effect. Not all species of Aloe smell .. if you dont have access to aloe leaves ..go for some organic aloe gel.
I live in the tropics so wind/sunburn are seen here on a daily basis (esp. from my european/american friends visiting)
Hope your skin gets back to normal soon!

[Valentina]

Hi all, this weekend I got sunburned quite bad, I have a dark olive complection so I dont ever put a high protection factor, this weeknd I swam a lot and did not re apply cream, I never NEVER get burned, this is a first (must be the pill I am on)
I have been applying tons of after sun lotion, but my question is this, how do I avoid peeling? I am not red anymore but Im itching in some places and I heard that that means Ill peel?
Have any of you got tips to avoid peeling besides what Im already doing (that is applying after sun)
Thanx
Val

[Adrina]

Hi, I got the same case in last three years. I grabbed yoghurt nature on my skin. My favorite magazine in French told me about the emergency action. But you should apply in the first time you get sunburn.

Or if it stays more than 1 day, you just go to the pharmacy, ask the calming soleil to reduce it.

-----------------------
Always put sunscreen or sunblock if you want to spend your time under the sun. Be careful, it will stay ages that spots cause the sun.

[Erin]

If you're itching already, you probably WILL peel...

I can suggest, however, wearing SPF, even if you don't burn... anybody of any skin tone can get skin cancer, so it's just something to keep in mind for the future. Not to mention... the wrinkles... they can be prevented.

[gruveechik]

i'm sure you've heard of it before.. but if you've got an Aloe plant handy, slice a leaf off (preferably a thick one) and cut in half... best to trim the green edges off too... and keep reapplying the pure aloe to your skin.

If you don't have an aloe plant handy, then get (as pure as possible) Aloe Vera Gel (preferably not green - as that has added colour). Use the Aloe if you're still burning. If you're itchy etc.. then move on to (as pure as possible) Calendula Cream. It'll help heal your skin up in a jiffy.

i'm a brown gal myself, never ever prone to burns, until i got some weird reaction on the back of my neck one hot summer.. i got a bit of a burn and a rash afterwards.. aloe and calendula were the only things that worked for me.

hmmm.. just remembering Woodstock 99 hell.... i took sunscreen, aloe and calendula for myself, but there were so many pale-skinned folks who got roasted there (seriously, never saw 3rd degree sun-burns before ) so i went around dabbing people with the sunscreen, aloe and calendula - cuz they needed it more than me. Ha... too bad i wasn't able to magically produce water or food.. or a way out of that place.

btw: anyone out there survived Woodstock 99 hell? i was a Mehndi Vendor. ah.. i should set up a new post.

[PradaP]

Aloe will help sooth the burn.
Stay right out of the sun until your skin heals and avoid applying too much product to the affected area as it may iritate it even more

and make sure this NEVER EVER happens again

[kealoha]

hate to say it, but you'll probably peel since you're already itching. the one time this happened to me, i applied baby lotion after a shower & allowed it to absorb in the skin. it prevents it from flaking off as quickly.

[southerncutie]

So... I'm sunburnt I went to Ship Island with some friends and put on SPF 45 sunscreen every hour, a shirt after two, but am still burnt crispy.. I have water blisters all over my back but my face is fine.. just tan and red on the cheeks.. I only stayed in the sun for two hours but I guess I have more delicate skin than I thought now.. What can help with the burn? I take ibuprofen and put on aloe vera but it hurts.... so bad! What do you do to help when you get burned?

[Erin]

All I can say is slather on the aloe vera, so you're doing the right thing. I've heard oatmeal baths help.

But unfortunately, there's only so much you can do... the next thing that'll let your skin heal is time.

I feel for you... most of us have been there (including myself, ugh).

[DreamsAreMade]

Aloe vera hurts you? It usually burns at first but if you let it sit, it should stop. You COULD ask a pharmacist if there's something in aloe vera that you're allergic to (and then what he would recommend). There are more natural versions of aloe vera. I'm not sure what you've tried but there's the actual flower plant (juice from it), there's gels, and lotions. Hmm...that never fails for me...
And there's also lavender oil which a lot people say works on all diff. burns, but I've never tried it.

^oh, yea as Erin said oatmeal...lol, that's such a pain though.

Were you out between 12pm and 3pm? That's the worst time to be in the sun no matter how much protection...even for pple who tan easily.

[ShOe GaL 19]

How funny...Last weekend, I headed over to the Keys and I got burnt like a Thanksgiving turkey! I (recommended by a friend) put on some Noxema FACIAL cream and believe it or not, it felt GREATTTTTT and allowed me to sleep better on my back at night. The bad thing about it: now, a week later, I'm peeling like crazy! Its so gross!! I got 3 people: the guy im dating, my best friend and mother to pick a spot and to begin peeling off the skin! lol it was pretty gross but it doesnt look as bad as before because i had holes everywhere of the skin that was falling off....

[Luna]

This stuff is amazing.. If you can get it anywhere near you!

http://www.californiatan.com/product...ehtm?pid=10279

[paprika_hiccup]

Ouch --

I know this will sound strange, but you should give it a try as it has really worked on my sunburns in the past.

Apple Cider Vinegar- pref. get an unpastuerized from the health food store- Spectrum or Bragg's brand.

Soak some soft towels in the Apple Cider Vinegar a make compresses for your back and change them often. It WILL stink, but it will be so worth it. I am very fair and I am X-tra careful in the sun and have not had a bad burn in a few years, but when I have used this remedy in the past it has been so effective! I have used it on freshly burned, firey lobster skin and come away with no peeling skin ( I even tanned more than I ususally do-- but we already know that tanning is pretty bad, right? )

I work in skincare now, and I believe that the Apple Cider Vinegar is very good at restoring the nautral pH of the skin, which is slightly acidic at about 5.5. When you skin burns, it raises the pH of your skin and the apple cider vinegar (with a ph of about 5) brings it back into balance.

I do not know the reasoning behind why it works 100 percent- but I know it does work and this is why I believe it works. I will try to see if I can find some more info around .

I would keep apply the aloe as well and it will help to rehydrate your skin, and help the skin to heal more quickly--

Let us know how it goes it you try it!!

[southerncutie]

thanks for all the tips... I'm going tomorrow to get some apple cider vinegar and the rest of the stuff that was recommended... all of the blister have been popping and gushing on my shirt today so I haven't been able to go anywhere... no more sun for a long time!!