By Ashley Yenick, Student at Merrimack College

Image courtesy of graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Summer is here! You’re home for the summer from college and catching up with high school friends, going to barbecues and hanging out at the pool/beach.

With the summer sun’s UV rays beating down on you, it’s easy to forget to reapply sunscreen, which leads to intense and painful sunburns. I found a great set of rules to stick to when it comes to dealing with sunburn from Prevention.com written by expert doctors. Here are a few tips from their list!

1. Use Compresses

It’s important to use a compress when you have a sunburn because your skin becomes inflamed. Prevention.com recommends dipping your compress in water, witch hazel or aluminum accetate. To further cool down your skin, try using a fan. To prevent drying out your skin, it’s also advised to moisturize using lotion.

2. Prevent Sunburn in the First Place

Before going outside in the summer heat, the experts advise you to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you venture out. It’s important to apply sunscreen even when it’s overcast because the sun’s rays can still cause intense sunburn. It's also advised to reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating. Prevention.com recommends picking a sunscreen between 15 and 30 SPF for the ultimate protection.

3. Avoid Soaps

Did you know that using soap can actually cause sunburn to be worse? Bubble baths are also a no-no when it comes to treating sunburn! When washing your sunburn, always pat dry instead of rubbing it dry, which will prevent further irritation. Doctors recommend using mild soap, or if you don’t have mild soap, Prevention.com notes a couple of natural remedies you can use, such as vinegar and baking soda.

To check out the full list of 12 rules, check out Prevention.com’s website here.
 

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