Sunburn SOS — what to do when you've burned (and what NOT to do)

What's actually happening in your skin

Sunburn isn't "just redness". It's a complex inflammatory response, and scientists understand the mechanism in detail — it's worth knowing so you can make sensible decisions.

Burn degrees — how to assess the severity

WHAT TO DO — scientifically confirmed

What NOT to do — popular mistakes that make things worse

When to see a doctor — red flags

You can manage most degree I sunburns yourself. But there are situations when you need professional help:

• Blisters covering a large area (more than one limb, or a large part of your back or chest)
• Fever above 38.5°C — may indicate a systemic reaction (sun poisoning)
• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness — symptoms of heat stroke
• Burns to the face, eyes or genitals — the skin here is thinner and needs specialist care
• Sunburn in a child under 1 year old — always see a doctor
• Signs of infection after 2–3 days: increasing pain, pus, red streaks around the blisters

Long-term consequences — the hard statistics

Recovery plan — what to do after burning

• 0–6h: cold compress + ibuprofen + plenty of water
• 6–24h: aloe vera gel (chilled) every 3–4h, compress, hydration
• 24–72h: continue with aloe, add panthenol or ceramides, don't irritate the skin
• 3–7 days: peeling — don't pick at it, moisturise gently
• 7–14 days: gradual return to your normal skincare routine
• Autumn: visit a dermatologist — a mole check and skin recovery after the season

At J'ADORE INSTYTUT

The sun doesn't just leave a mark on the surface — the damage goes deeper: hyperpigmentation, accelerated photoageing, loss of elasticity. That's why, after the summer season, we invite you for a consultation and autumn repair treatments at our salons in Warsaw (Żelazna, Mińska) and Krakow (Karmelicka). Regenerative protocols work best between October and March, when UV exposure is minimal.