A day at the beach or an afternoon outdoors can be a great way to unwind and soak up some Vitamin D. However, spending too much time under the sun has its downside – sunburns! Sunburns are not only painfully uncomfortable but also damaging to your skin. Luckily, there are ways to soothe the pain and help your skin heal faster. Follow these 10 steps to get rid of sunburns:

1. Cool down: Immediately move to a shaded area or go indoors when you notice your skin starting to turn red. Apply cold compresses or take a cool bath to soothe the burn and reduce inflammation.

2. Stay hydrated: Sunburns leave your body dehydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water and other fluids (avoid alcohol) throughout the day to help rehydrate your body.

3. Moisturize: Apply a gentle, unscented moisturizer (preferably containing aloe vera) on the affected area several times a day. This will help alleviate the dryness and peeling that comes with sunburns.

4. Take over-the-counter pain relievers: If you’re experiencing pain from your sunburn, non-prescription pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin can help reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief.

5. Avoid tight clothing: Wearing loose-fitting clothing made of soft, natural materials like cotton can help prevent further irritation to your already sensitive skin.

6. Stay out of the sun: Until your sunburn has healed, avoid direct sunlight and wear protective clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat if you must go outside.

7. Use cold milk compresses: Soak a clean cloth in cold milk and gently press it onto your sunburned skin for 10-15 minutes for instant relief from pain and itching.

8. Try a healing bath: Add colloidal oatmeal, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar to your cool bathwater to help soothe your sunburned skin and promote the healing process.

9. Apply hydrocortisone cream: If your sunburn is exceptionally painful or itchy, consider using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to provide temporary relief.

10. Be patient: Healing a sunburn takes time – usually about a week for mild sunburns and longer for severe ones. Make sure you follow the above tips and give your skin time to heal; don’t pick at peeling skin, since this can lead to scars or prolong the healing process.

By taking the proper steps and precautions, you can help alleviate the pain and discomfort of a sunburn while supporting your skin’s natural healing process. In the future, remember to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30, wear protective clothing, and limit your exposure to direct sunlight to avoid those painful burns altogether.