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A sunburn severe enough to cause peeling means you made a mistake—you should’ve used sunscreen, reapplied it after swimming, or had someone help cover your back. But once the peeling begins, what can you do?
Once you're burned, there's no way to stop the skin from peeling
People often ask how to prevent peeling after a sunburn, but the only true prevention is avoiding a bad sunburn in the first place. Peeling is just part of the healing process.
Our skin continuously produces new cells that move toward the surface as they mature. These cells usually shed individually, without us noticing. But when a large area of skin is damaged—like with a sunburn—our body speeds up this process to replace the damaged cells with healthy ones. These rapidly-maturing cells don't have time to fully separate as they would normally, so when they reach the surface, they are still attached in sheets.
Don’t tug at your skin to make it peel faster
You may have heard that picking at peeling skin is a no-go. This is mostly true. It’s okay to remove dead skin that’s already separated from your body. It’s no longer attached, so it’s not really doing anything.
But don’t get so eager that you start pulling off skin before it naturally loosens. These sheets of dead skin act as a protective layer for the burn, so it’s better to wait for them to fall off on their own. Also, avoid using exfoliating products during this time. Just give it some time.
The same goes for any blisters you may have. Sunburn blisters also help with healing, so avoid popping them. Blisters are a sign of a second-degree burn, so consider seeking medical help if they cover a large area or if you experience symptoms of heat illness.
Protect your skin while it heals
While your skin is recovering from a severe sunburn that’s peeling, now is definitely not the time for another sunburn. (Not that it’s ever a good time for one.) Be extra cautious to prevent further sun damage:
Use sunscreen when outdoors—any kind, as long as you actually apply it and reapply it regularly.
Wear protective clothing. Consider wearing UV-protective rashguards at the beach, or a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face and neck.
Seek shade whenever you can.
Moisturize
To care for your burned skin at home, dermatologists recommend taking cool baths or showers to soothe it, followed by moisturizing. Moisturizers with aloe or soy can be particularly beneficial.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises against using pain-relieving lotions containing lidocaine or other "-caine" compounds, which are local anesthetics related to novocaine. These ingredients can irritate the skin, and some individuals may have allergic reactions—certainly not something you want to discover while dealing with both an allergic reaction and a sunburn. Instead, consider taking an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or aspirin to help with the redness, swelling, and discomfort.
