How long does a sunburn last?

UVB rays, which penetrate the dermis to a limited extent, are responsible for tanning and sunburn, also known as actinic erythema. At the skin level, a sunburn manifests as a burn causing redness, pain with itching (pruritus) and the possible appearance of blisters (phlyctenae). This reaction appears 8 to 24 hours after sun exposure.

It is important to note that sunburn can occur without direct exposure to the sun. Indeed, UVB rays are present regardless of the weather and they are reflected by water, sand, and snow.

Sunburn increases the risk of premature skin ageing and the development of skin cancers, particularly melanomas, due to UVA and UVB rays which are genotoxic (the ability of radiation to compromise the physical or functional integrity of the genome).

The healing time of a sunburn varies depending on the degree of the burn.

The severity of sunburns depends on their extent, intensity, location, as well as the age of the individual. The healing time varies depending on the degree of the burn. We distinguish three types of sunburns :

• First-degree sunburn:

  This type of sunburn is characterised by the presence of bright red and painful lesions on the surface of the epidermis and the absence of blisters. Subsequently, a more or less significant peeling is observed. The healing period is 2 to 7 days without leaving any spots or scars, provided that the skin is well cared for.

• Superficial second-degree sunburns:

  The symptoms are identical to those of a first-degree burn, with the presence of blisters filled with a clear fluid (phlyctenae) on the surface of the skin. General manifestations such as headaches and fever may also be observed. These symptoms could indicate heatstroke or dehydration. In this case, the healing process will be longer and will take 1 to 2 weeks with a risk of spots and scars that may be slow to fade.

• Deep second-degree sunburns:

  This is the most severe case. The blisters appear pale due to the destruction of blood vessels. Unlike the other two types of sunburn, here the pain is minimal as the nerve fibres have been burnt. The healing will take 1 month with a risk of persistent scarring.

Please note : Do not hesitate to consult your dermatologist for optimal care.

• Firstly, it is necessary to cool the burn area in order to alleviate the pain and prevent it from spreading further. If you do not have a fever or chills, take a cool shower or bath for 15 minutes. If the affected area is small, you can apply damp compresses for 15 to 30 minutes.

• Then apply a moisturising cream or gel. Our moisturising gel soothes the skin and deeply hydrates it thanks to the aloe vera gel and bisabolol. Its cooling effect is ideal for calming the skin after sun exposure and thus preventing itching. It also contains anorange blossom flower hydrosol , which is a powerful antioxidant. It will help protect the skin and promote its regeneration.

• Avoid any further prolonged and repeated exposure to sunlight during the healing period.

• Apply a sunscreen suitable for your skin type daily, even in the absence of sunlight! Our sunscreens provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Moreover, sunscreens dedicated to the face moisturise and soothe the skin thanks to the aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.

• Wear covering clothing in order to protect the affected area.

• Rehydrate your body. Indeed, drinking water proves to be crucial in the event of sunburn. Hydration contributes to faster healing. Therefore, it is essential to drink more than usual (at least 2 litres).

• Let the regeneration take its course. After a sunburn, the skin will naturally regenerate. Therefore, avoid popping blisters (risk of infection) or scratching peeling skin to remove it.

• BERTHELEMY S. Conseil à un patient se plaignant d'un coup de soleil. Actualités Pharmaceutiques (2013).

• YUENG H. & al. Sunburn frequency and risk and protective factors : a cross-sectional survey. Dermatology Online Journal (2021).