What to do in the first 24 hours of a sunburn

A sunburn is an inflammatory injury, and the hours right after exposure are when you can do the most to ease symptoms and support healing, though nothing reverses the underlying DNA damage already done.

Start by getting out of the sun and cooling the skin: cool (not ice-cold) compresses or a cool shower calm the heat and inflammation. Hydrate generously, since burns draw fluid to the skin and can leave you dehydrated. Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer, or pure aloe vera, while the skin is damp to lock in moisture; avoid heavy petroleum-based products in the first day, which can trap heat. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, taken early, reduces both pain and inflammation. Leave any blisters intact, they protect the healing skin underneath and breaking them invites infection.

What to avoid: further sun exposure, harsh exfoliation, and products with alcohol or fragrance that sting and irritate. Watch for signs of a severe burn, extensive blistering, fever, chills, dizziness, or confusion, which warrant medical care, as they can indicate sun poisoning or significant fluid loss. For an ordinary burn, gentle cooling, hydration, and time are the core of first-day care while the skin begins to repair.

Related reading: How sunburns raise your skin cancer risk.