sunbathe - peeling skin

•  Sunburn blisters result from a second-degree sunburn, which causes damage deeper in the skin. Blisters from the sun usually heal naturally in about one week but may leave scars

When a person does not have blisters, only redness, tenderness, and light peeling of the skin, this is likely a first degree burn.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319666

• If a day at the beach, in the pool, on the boat or in the yard has turned you into a lobster, you can be pretty sure of what comes next, in a few days or a week after the initial sunburn: peeling skin. And with it, perhaps, a strong temptation to pull off the unsightly dead skin.

“The topmost layer of skin peels after a sunburn as part of the healing process,” said Micaela Wolfe, a board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner at Water’s Edge Dermatology. “It’s the body’s way of getting rid of damaged cells. The peeling ceases around the same time the skin underneath is ready for exposure.”

Here are some steps to take — and a few to avoid — to ease sunburn pain, help the skin heal and, if you’re lucky, limit skin peeling. (The only surefire way to avoid peeling is to protect yourself against sunburn in the first place.)

Do:

    Take cool showers or baths to cool the skin and temporarily relieve the pain

    Apply cold compresses.

    Gently slather on store-bought pure aloe vera gel, especially after a shower. Aloe vera acts as an anti-inflammatory as well as a moisturizer and may reduce the amount of peeling you face later on. (Tip: Keep the aloe in the fridge for a nice cooling effect.) If you don’t have aloe, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a moisturizer that contains soy.

    Take an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen or aspirin ASAP — within the first few hours if possible — to help with sunburn pain and limit swelling (unless your doctor has advised you not to take these medications).

    Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, following the package directions, if the burn is bothersome.

    Drink extra water to stave off the dehydration a burn can cause.

    Stay out of the sun or wear protective clothing (UV-blocking clothing is best) to protect the skin while the burn heals.

Don’t:

    Apply petroleum jelly or an oil-based skin cream, as these trap the heat of the burn, which slows the healing process and increases irritation

    Take a hot shower

    Use harsh soap (try a moisturizing body wash instead)

    Rub the skin

Treating the peeling skin

If your skin peels despite your best efforts, follow these tips:

Do:

    Continue to regularly apply aloe vera gel or moisturizer. “This will speed skin healing as well as soften the dead skin and make it less tempting to remove,” said Wolfe.

    Protect yourself from the sun. Your burned skin needs time to heal. In fact, your skin is more prone to damage from UV rays for as long as several weeks after a burn. “I highly encourage the use of SPF protective clothing to help with sun protection, along with sunscreen use,” said Wolfe.

Don’t:

    Peel the dead skin. “Until the dead skin falls away on its own, the skin underneath is too raw for exposure and prone to infection,” said Wolfe. If you find it hard to resist the temptation to peel, cover your skin with loose clothing so you don’t see it.

    Exfoliate the skin by scrubbing

The worst of the peeling should be over in about a week. “Help the skin stay healthy by keeping the skin moisturized, especially after a shower,” said Wolfe. In the meantime, stock up on broad-spectrum sunscreen so you don’t find yourself in the same red-hot situation again.

https://www.wederm.com/2020/08/17/how-to-treat-peeling-skin-after-a-sunburn

• When a Burn Takes a Turn

When skin begins to peel, it is a sign the body is trying to rid itself of damaged cells. You can use many of the same techniques that apply to a non-peeling sunburn to get some relief. Dr. Curcio says that getting out of the sun and treating a sunburn as soon as you notice it is the first step for healing sun-burned skin. “To relieve pain, you can take cold showers or baths and take ibuprofen or aspirin,” she says. “Also, the best thing to do is moisturize the area with an aloe-vera or soy-based product. Moisturizing will help soothe sunburned skin, but be careful to avoid petroleum-based or other oil-based creams. These may trap heat and make your sunburn even worse. In addition, don’t forget to drink extra water to prevent dehydration.”

Once skin starts to peel, she adds, continue to moisturize your skin, which helps peeling skin heal faster.  Be sure to take extra care to protect and cover peeling skin as it heals.

What Not to Do

It may be tempting to try to exfoliate a peeling sunburn in an attempt to remove the dead skin, but Dr. Curcio says this isn’t a good idea.

Finally, it’s imperative to practice effective sun protection while a peeling burn is healing. “After sustaining a sunburn, your skin is more sensitive to additional UV damage,” Dr. Curcio says. “Wear protective clothing that covers your skin when outdoors.”

https://www.skincancer.org/blog/why-does-my-skin-peel-when-i-get-sunburned/

1. You skimped on sunscreen. Then forgot to re-apply. Now, you have a sunburn that — quite literally — burns like no other, and your scorched skin more resembles the scaly, flaky mess shed from reptiles (ew) than its usual smooth, glowing disposition. It may be unsightly and even a little disconcerting, but while a sunburn is never a good thing, a peeling sunburn is both a sign of damage and a step in the right direction. When your skin begins to peel, it's actually your body's way of ridding itself of dead, damaged skin cells that were exposed to the sun's damaging ultra-violet rays.

https://www.allure.com/story/why-your-skin-peels-after-a-sunburn

• What a Chemical Peel Can Do

Peeling from a sunburn is bad. Peeling from a professional treatment is good. How can this be? When the skin peels from a sunburn, it is because too much ultraviolet light has been absorbed. This light penetrates multiple layers of the skin, causing damage at the cellular level. This damage is associated with the early formation of dark spots and other pigment problems. These discoloration issues originate in skin cells that move up from deeper layers of the skin to eventually live on the epidermis. What a chemical peel does is speed up the process of cellular renewal. In so doing, each peel brings healthier skin cells upward, until they reach the visible layer of the ski

https://www.advancedlaserandskincancercenter.com/post/could-peeling-be-good-for-your-skin

• Areas like the shoulders that see more sun exposure will peel faster than less exposed places like the lower legs.

How to Soothe and Heal Peeling Skin After Sunburn

Gentle care for your skin after a sunburn can help minimize peeling severity and duration. Try these tips:

    Apply moisturizer and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate peeling areas. This aids healing.

    Take cool baths or use compresses to ease discomfort from peeling and inflammation.

    Avoid direct sunlight on sunburnt skin until fully healed to prevent further damage.

    Wear loose, breathable clothing over the burn while it’s healing and peeling.

    Stay hydrated and get extra rest to support your skin’s natural regeneration process.

    Exfoliating peeling skin can tear delicately healing tissue – leave peeling skin intact.

    Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can decrease swelling and irritation as your skin peels.

    Oral antihistamines may help relieve itching and discomfort from peeling skin.

What to Avoid with Peeling Sunburned Skin

    Picking, scratching or peeling the skin – This can tear healing tissue, increase pain and swelling, and lead to scarring or infection.

    Harsh scrubbing or exfoliation – Let skin flakes come off gently on their own rather than rubbing the area.

    Hot showers or baths – The heat can aggravate peeling, sensitive skin. Opt for cooler temperatures.

    Petroleum-based creams or lotions – These can clog pores and trap heat, which can worsen peeling and discomfort.

    Re-exposing unhealed skin to sun – Further sun exposure can cause more severe burns and damage.

    Wearing sticky bandages over peeling areas – These can tear delicate healing skin when removed.

    Shaving peeling areas – This also risks tearing the skin and doesn’t allow for proper healing.

Leave peeling skin alone and let it detach naturally for the most comfortable, uneventful healing.

https://cosmediclasermd.com/why-does-my-skin-peel-after-a-sunburn/