Everyone knows that venturing out into that bright summer sun sans sunscreen is something akin to making a deal with the devil. Sure, you may come out unscathed, but more often than not, your skin will pay the price.

So, if you are one of the many sun worshippers who aren’t exactly diligent when it comes to protecting yourself against dangerous and damaging UV rays, we bet that you could use some really solid advice on how to treat a sunburn!

Here are some expert tips to help you get over the burn fast AND make sure that you never end up with another one, ever again…

Know your sunscreen facts

Now, if you are currently sporting a “lobster chic” skin tone, we bet you aren’t in the mood to be lectured. Nevertheless, we can’t rest easy knowing that we didn’t properly educate you on the topic of sun protection FIRST.

To ensure that you are sufficiently protected, use about 1 ounce of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to cover your entire body, and be sure that you apply it at least 15 minutes before you step outside. If you are simply soaking up some rays on your porch, re-apply every 2 hours. If you are swimming or have been sweating, re-apply directly AFTER you dry off.

Now that you have a fighting chance against the sun, let’s help you get over that painful sunburn.

1. Wear loose clothing

   Don’t irritate your skin further by wearing jeggings over your peelings gams! Instead, opt for flowy, loose-fitting cotton pieces that provide plenty of air flow. Not only will this wardrobe choice feel much more comfortable, it can also prevent painful chafing and blistering from occurring.

2. Stick to all-natural remedies

   You wouldn’t believe it, but some of the most effective sunburn pain relievers are likely sitting in your kitchen cupboard! Smooth on some milk, take an oatmeal bath, or apply pureed cucumbers to your reddest areas for instant cooling relief.

   And, as always, feel free to spread on some of that sunburn relief staple—unscented, all-natural aloe. When it comes to treating sunburns, natural is always the way to go.

3. Hydrate

   Proper hydration is a key factor in speeding up the healing of the sunburned skin. Drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and try your best to stick to a healthy diet that’s chock-full of fruits and veggies. Pretty soon you’ll be on-the-mend in no time!

4. Don’t suffer

   If you are dealing with a particularly painful sunburn, you can dull the pain by taking a NSAID, like ibuprofen or naproxen. Popping a couple of these pills will help the sting and inflammation subside. For a topical option, slather on a bit of cortisone cream.

   Is your sunburn particularly severe? For example, are you experiencing blisters, nausea, a fever, a headache, tingling, or dehydration? If this is the case, you may have sun poisoning, which could warrant a visit to the doctor’s office for further treatment.

5. Resist the urge to peel and pop

   Although it may feel satisfying to peel your skin or pop your blisters after a particularly intense burn, it turns out that you may be irritating your already sensitive skin even further. Instead, speed up the “shedding” process by moisturizing with the aforementioned natural remedies. Not only will they help to “cool down” the area, they will also work to get your skin back into tip-top shape fast.

6. Read those labels

   Next time you pay a visit to your pharmacist, be sure to ask him or her if any of the medications that you are currently taking (this could include over-the-counters, as well) may cause your skin to become more sensitive to the sun. To take a look at some of the ones that are known to cause photosensitivity, click here.

With that being said, we sincerely hope that you will never HAVE TO use any of this information. Just remember, healthy skin is happy skin. Enjoy the rest of the summer and stay protected!

Have you recently suffered from a severe sunburn? If so, how did you treat the symptoms? Do you have any natural remedies that you would like to add to this list?