According to S. Manjula Jegasothy MD, founder of the Miami Skin Institute and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, there's no greater sunburn treatment than a full pediatric or adult dose (depending on the patient's age and size) of aspirin, Advil, Aleve or Ibuprofen every 8 hours for 24 hours, starting immediately after the sun exposure. "These medications are all known to reduce fever and mild muscular or joint pain by decreasing prostaglandin levels, which are inflammatory proteins released by our immune system," she says. "While these prostaglandins do help in fighting certain aspects of disease, such as infections, their side effects include fever and mild muscle or joint pain. In addition, inflammatory prostaglandins are released when skin is exposed to DNA-damaging amounts of UV radiation (sun exposure) theoretically to minimize long-term skin damage."
If not properly treated, sunburned skin can lead to dry skin and pronounced lines and wrinkles. For this reason, Engelman urges her patients to treat their burn as soon as possible with vitamin E-containing products that help heal the skin. Her go-to is this one from Bio-Oil, which contains vitamin E to neutralize free radicals and is also packed with vitamin A, which works with the skin to promote cell regeneration. "Lavender oil, chamomile oil, calendula oil and rosemary oil help invigorate and condition the skin, ultimately providing calming and hydrating benefits that improve the appearance of new or old scars and stretch marks."
"Aloe vera-containing products can help soothe the skin and also have a cooling effect," says Tania Elliott, MD, chief medical officer at EHE. "Be sure, though, that aloe is the only main ingredient, the addition of other ingredients that numb the skin can trigger allergic skin reactions that prevent healing." California Baby Aloe & Arnica Cream contains aloe as the main ingredient along with a slew of other skin-soothing savers such as arnica and calendula, which instantly cool the skin. Dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, and contributor to cosmetic treatment site RealSelf loves this brand. "It also contains a number of essential oils that have a range of benefits from antioxidant and anti-inflammation to moisturizing," she adds.
Baths can be incredibly effective for cooling down the skin and inflammation that accompanies sunburn, says Gary Goldfaden, MD, dermatologist and founder of Goldfaden MD. Luckily, you don't have to DIY your own formula, you can just head to your local drugstore and pick up one specially created to soothe your skin, such as this one from Aveeno. "The colloidal oatmeal coats the skin with a protective barrier while the potent polyphenols in green tea are antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that may help hasten the resolution of a sunburn," says Melanie Palm, MD, dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, medical director of Art of Skin MD and assistant clinical professor at University of California San Diego.
While these supplements are more for preventative use than for the purpose of treating a sunburn, they can seriously come in handy to arm your skin with a proper defense against the sun's harmful rays. "This fern extract from the plant, Polypodium leucotomos, is a potent antioxidant supplement that confers additional protection against the UVA spectrum of sunlight, which tends to promote long-term sun damage, melanoma and delayed sunburns," explains Palm. "The point of this supplement is take it before you head out the door." Though it's not a substitute for sunscreen, she does recommend it to her weekend warriors, melanoma and skin cancer patients, melasma patients and those who burn easily or are looking for added protection.
