Sunburned Skin? Here's How To Treat And Soothe It

Hello, I am dermatologist Kyung Ji-in. After the enjoyable vacation season ends, many people often worry about skin problems post-vacation. Sunburn, where the skin gets burned or blisters due to strong summer UV exposure, is a common problem. Today, we will discuss skin problems that can occur during vacation and how to deal with them correctly.

Many of you have probably experienced your skin feeling hot and stinging at night after playing excitedly at the beach or swimming pool when you were young. UV light not only burns the skin but also causes aging, seborrheic keratosis, and blemishes. In particular, hyperpigmentation caused by sunburn can last much longer than a typical tan, so caution is needed.

To prevent skin tanning, it is essential to apply sunscreen thoroughly. However, even if you have applied sunscreen, it is important to combine it with physical blocking.

• Wear sunglasses that sufficiently cover your face and a wide-brimmed hat to double block UV rays.
• When entering a swimming pool or the sea, even if you use waterproof sunscreen, reapply it every 2-3 hours.
• In outdoor swimming pools, sunscreen use is often prohibited, so in such cases, we recommend wearing a long-sleeved rash guard that covers up to your neck.

If you get sunburned, the most important thing is to cool down your skin first.

Applying cool water, cold milk, or cucumber packs soaked in gauze to the burned area can be helpful. Cold milk is known to be useful in reducing pain.

When blisters appear on the skin, do not intentionally peel them off; leaving them to fall off naturally can help reduce hyperpigmentation. If recovery is slow, or if the blisters are large and accompanied by pain, do not force them to burst, and it is best to visit a nearby dermatology clinic for treatment. You can have the contents of the blisters removed or receive appropriate medication and dressing in a clean and hygienic environment.

If foreign objects are embedded or enter the skin, do not try to remove them forcefully; it is better to remove them under running water. If sand is deeply embedded in the soles of your feet, there are methods such as incision and removal after disinfection, so it is safer to seek professional help.

Folk remedies such as applying potatoes or cucumbers to peeling skin and blisters can irritate the skin or increase the risk of infection, so caution is advised.

When the skin is exposed to UV light for a long time, melanin production in our body's melanocytes accelerates. At this time, early pigment treatment becomes a crucial golden time. Starting whitening care such as toning within 1-2 weeks after sunburn can lead to better results. This is because melanin is most vulnerable to vitamin C or whitening procedures at this time.

Toning is a procedure that uses low-output laser irradiation to break down and remove melanin pigment in the skin. It not only treats pigment disorders like melasma but also has the effect of brightening the overall skin tone and helping makeup adhere better. Consistent treatment can help prevent and improve pigment disorders.

After sunburn, the skin tends to lose a lot of moisture, becoming dry and dull. Therefore, it is good to drink plenty of water and apply a moisturizing pack or a sufficient amount of moisturizing cream in the evening. Also, using foods and products rich in powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which help skin whitening and strengthen the skin barrier, can also aid in skin recovery and prevention.

I hope today's content was helpful for your vacation skin care. If you have any further questions, please contact us via comments or KakaoTalk. This has been dermatologist Kyung Ji-in. Thank you.