Just when I started getting excited for summer, the CDC shared some pretty disturbing news: according to a study released last week, "young adults" (men and women ages 18 to 29) don't always practice safe sunning. In 2010, half of them reported getting at least one sunburn over the past year and about a third of white women went to tanning beds. Now, we've talked about the dangers of tanning (and, worse, burning) a billion times. You know not to step foot near a tanning bed. And you've read some pretty scathing reviews of tanorexia in the news (including allure.com) lately.
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But even if you're more diligent than the average beach goer, accidents do happen. Knowing how to treat a burn can minimize pain and damage done. Here's what to do if you do slip up:
1. Take two ibuprofen right away.
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2. Jump in a cold shower or layer bags of frozen peas over the area.
3. Gently dab 1 percent hydrocortisone cream on the burned skin.
4. Moisturize diligently with a fragrance-free after-sun lotion such as Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion-they contain soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and aloe.
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5. Remember how much sunburns suck and don't get one again!
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