Too Much Fun in the Sun? How to Prevent and Treat Peeling Skin

 

We all love that sunkissed glow, but sunburn can leave you with a painful reminder of your day under blazing sun rays. The most common of these side effects? Peeling skin. It's uncomfortable, and it can also threaten your skin's health.

Below, we'll dive into peeling skin treatment and prevention so you can confidently dive into the pool on a sunny day. When skin burns from sun exposure, it’s a telltale sign that your sign was exposed to too many UV rays. The damage can range from mild redness and discomfort to serious burns that blister and swell. Prevention is key to mild and extreme symptoms, but treatment is possible in a worst-case scenario.

The Science Behind Sunburn

Sunburns happen when the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate your skin, wreaking havoc on the DNA in your skin cells. This damage sparks an inflammatory response, turning your skin red, causing swelling, and creating a painful sensation. Blistering can occur more severely, leaving your skin even more uncomfortable.

Types of Sunburns

There are different degrees of sunburn, each with its characteristics.

• First-degree sunburns are the more benign, affecting only the epidermis, the outer layer of your skin. These burns usually bring a red hue and some pain but typically heal within a few days.
• Conversely, second-degree sunburns are more intense, impacting deeper layers of skin. They lead to swelling, blistering, and significant pain. Regardless of the type, both can result in peeling skin as your body works to shed the damaged cells.

The Scoop on Skin Peels

Shedding burnt skin is your body's natural way of removing damaged cells. This process initiates several days after the burn and can continue for several weeks. While the urge to peel can be strong, resisting that temptation is key. Allow your skin to shed naturally to prevent further damage and reduce the risk of infection. Embrace a little self-care and skincare, and take the time to heal.

Sunburn S.O.S.

Sunburn can be more than an uncomfortable reminder of a day spent in the sun; it can lead to pain, inflammation, and pesky peeling. By acting quickly and consistently, you can soothe your skin and promote healing processes.

Step 1: Act Fast

When you realize you've caught too many rays, it's time to spring into action. The sooner you treat that burn, the better.

Cool Down

Start with a refreshing, cool shower or bath. This will instantly lower your skin temperature and provide much-needed relief. Steer clear of hot showers and baths—this is a time to beat the heat, not add to it.

BelleCôte's Advice: Find a clean washcloth, soak it in cold water, and place it on the burnt areas for 10-15 minutes. If you don't have a cloth handy, a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel works wonders. This will help reduce skin swelling and numb that nagging pain.

Pain Relief

If cool water and compresses aren't enough to soothe a sunburn, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin are your friends and allies for that throbbing discomfort. Follow the dosage instructions and reduce your inflammatory response to too much sun exposure.

Step 2: Peeling Skin Care

Despite best efforts, peeling sunburnt skin does happen. When shedding skin starts, proper care is essential to keep your skin healthy and free from infection.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Slather on a soothing, aloe or marine collagen- based moisturizer enriched with plant stem cells. These ingredients are fantastic for calming and hydrating the skin and minimizing further peeling. BelleCôte Day Light Moisturizer 24h Cream with Acai, Grape and Swiss Apple plant stem cells is a problem solver! 

BelleCôte’s Advice: When treating sunburns and peeling skin, avoid petroleum or oil-based creams. They can trap heat and further irritate the burn.

Shield, Don't Shed

Sunburned skin is especially vulnerable to UV rays. Shield yourself by wearing clothes with a UV protection factor (UPF) of at least 30 and continue to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Exfoliate Gently

If peeling occurs, do the right thing, and don't pick, poke, or peel your skin! Instead, use a soft washcloth and a mild cleanser to gently scrub away dead skin cells. This will promote healing without risking scarring or infection.

Peeling Prevention

With sunburnt skin, prevention is more effective than any cure. Here are some proactive steps to keep your skin safe from sunburn and the peeling that follows.

Sunscreen. Swim. Repeat.

Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Apply generously to all exposed skin 20 minutes before heading outside. Remember to reapply the sunscreen every two hours or right after swimming or sweating. This is especially important for those with fair skin, as they are more prone to burning.

Dress for Sun Success

Choose clothing with a UPF rating for extra protection against harmful UV rays. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs when spending extended periods of time in the sun. Loose shirts, sarongs, wide-brimmed hats, and stylish sunglasses are great for glamor and UV ray protection. Whether you're headed to the Riviera or a local pool, stash the right cover-ups in your tote bag. Your skin will thank you.

Hydration Station 

Don’t forget to sip water on a sunny day. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain your skin's moisture levels and can help minimize the effects of sun exposure.

Medication Check

Some medications can increase your sensitivity to sunlight and make you more prone to peeling. Before setting out into the sun, review your prescriptions to assess sunlight sensitivity and take proper precautions.

Avoid Peak Sun Hours

The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 a.m. Mitigate sun exposure during those intense hours; instead, bide your time or seek some shade. If you must be outside, follow our rules on sunscreen application and proper sun protection attire.

More Sun-Day Fun-Days

Sunburns and peeling skin can be uncomfortable and harmful to your skin's health. But don’t worry! Learning to treat and prevent sunburn allows you to soak up the sun while keeping your skin healthy, clear, and free from infections. Enjoy those sunny days with confidence!

BelleCôte Morning Skincare Routine

Does your day include an outdoor picnic, lounging by the pool, or hours of watching kids at soccer/softball/football practice? Kickstart your day with BelleCôte's Double Sun Protection Cream . This mineral, sensitive skin-friendly cream offers broad-spectrum SPF protection instantly, becomes clear during application, and nourishes thirsty skin. It also contains marine sun filters like Chlorella and Spirulina making its sun protection double. Make it the final step in your morning routine to stay shielded from harmful rays all day.

BelleCôte Nighttime Nourishment

When the sun sets for the day, switch to BelleCôte Ultra Nourishing Night Cream, rejuvenating and calming your skin—perfect after a day of sun! After gently cleansing, apply BelleCôte's Ultra Nourishing Night Cream on to sun exposed skin and instantly feel cool relief and deep moisture. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does peeling skin remove tan?

Peeling skin can shed the top layer of your tan, but the new skin underneath might retain some color. Remember, the price of burned skin is never worth the possibility of maintaining a tan.

To maintain tanned skin, moisturize frequently to avoid further sunburn.

How long does sunburn skin peeling last?

Peeling typically starts a few days after the burn and can last several weeks, depending on the severity of the burn and how well you care for your skin throughout the healing process.

How do I safely remove peeling skin from a sunburn?

Use a gentle exfoliator and a soft washcloth to remove peeling skin carefully. Keep your skin moisturized and resist the urge to pick at peeling areas to avoid scarring and infection.

Whether you're trying to prevent sun exposure or treat the aftereffects of the sun, using BelleCôte's natural marine-based ingredients can help prevent and counter the effects of the sun.

Stay sun-safe and embrace healthy, radiant skin all year round!