The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

 Image via @kimkardashian/Twitter

When we find ourselves in the warm embrace of the beach, we forget about the risks of being exposed to the sun and want to soak up every last bit of it. But if you go out with unprotected skin, it will burn within minutes, and no one wants that during our most long-awaited vacation season. We, ladies especially, can’t afford to have sunburned skin if we want to get all glammed up for a summer night out with friends or put on a cute outfit that we’ve been dying to wear. But what if it’s too late? Here are tips on how to treat it fast and with minimal pain, just in time to go out.

 

Take a Cool Shower

via osfhealthcare.org

Once at home, take a cool shower to calm the inflamed skin. In the shower, make sure to rinse off any remnants of salt water or chlorine, as they will further irritate the skin. Bearing that in mind, you should not use soap, perfume, or any scented products that could dry out your skin or they might sting. Once you are out of the shower, gently dry yourself, but make sure not to dry too thoroughly. Your skin should feel slightly damp for the next step to succeed.

 

Moisturise While Skin Is Damp

 

via vedix.com

While your skin is still damp, apply a moisturiser, as it will help trap the water in. By applying moisturiser, you should ease the dryness. For effective results, you should slather your skin with a moisturiser containing soy or aloe vera to help soothe the affected area. If you find that the moisturiser doesn’t give the best result, you could try to apply a hydrocortisone cream. Be careful not to use products that end with “-caine” – such as benzocaine – to treat sunburn, as these products might increase skin irritation or cause an allergic reaction. This is crucial for the skin’s recovery and requires daily repetition. At first, you should reapply the moisturiser as often as needed during the day. To preserve the coolness of the skin and avoid any irritating effects, you could also cool the moisturiser in the fridge before applying it for additional relief.

 

Take a Mild Anti-Inflammatory Drug If Needed

via nih.gov

If your burn is very bad, as an extra precaution to help reduce any swelling, discomfort, or redness of the skin, consider taking mild over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin should help to reduce the stinging of your sunburn.

 

Hydrate

 

via Getty

Be sure to drink plenty of water and other fluids as sunburn lures moisture to the skin’s surface and away from the body. Staying hydrated will help reload electrolytes and replace lost body fluids. Drinking extra water when sunburned will help heal the burn more quickly and prevent dehydration.

 

Do Not Pick at Blisters!

via imdb.com

Blistered skin means you are developing a second-degree sunburn, so if your skin blisters, leave it alone and allow it to heal. Blisters help the skin recover and protect it from infection, which is why you should NEVER pick at blisters!

 

Wear The Right Clothing

via tyellow.com

To protect the sunburned skin outside, you should wear clothing that fully covers the skin. Cotton and tightly-woven fabrics are the best choice. Test the clothes’ effectiveness by holding the fabric up to a bright light, and if you don’t see any light shining through, you’re on the right track to recovery.