Since we are officially in summer, many people will spend a great deal more time outdoors soaking up the sun’s rays. You lie out in the sun hoping to get a golden tan, but instead walk away from your lounge chair looking like a lobster that's been left in the pot too long.
Despite health warnings about sun damage, many of us still subject our skin to the sun's burning rays. More than one-third of adults and nearly 70% of children admit they've gotten sunburned within the past year, according to the CDC. 
Here's what you need to know about how to keep your skin safe and where to find sunburn relief if you do linger on your lounger too long. You already know the simple explanation behind sunburn. When your skin is exposed to the sun for a period of time, eventually it burns, turning red and irritated. Under the skin, things get a little more complicated. The sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC light doesn't reach the Earth's surface. The other two types of ultraviolet light not only reach your beach towel, but they penetrate your skin. Skin damage is caused by both UVA and UVB rays.
Sunburn is the most obvious sign that you've been sitting outside for too long. But sun damage isn't always visible. Under the surface, ultraviolet light can alter your DNA, prematurely aging your skin. Over time, DNA damage can contribute to skin cancers, including deadly melanoma. How soon a sunburn begins depends on several things. Your skin type, the sun's intensity, and how long you're exposed to the sun. At the first sign of redness after being out in the sun's harmful rays, it's crucial to follow these tips that could help soothe your sunburn and help you heal faster. Dr. Marian McEnvoy, dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said if you are red when coming indoors, apply moisturizer right away. 
If you have a sunburn, stay indoors and out of the sun as much as possible. "You can apply a cool washcloth to the skin for 10-15 minutes a few times a day or take a cool bath or shower to relieve the pain. Moisturizing right after bathing is helpful," Dr. Shari Lipner, assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology of the Weill Cornell Medicine College, said.
Experts said aloe vera either at room temperature or chilled can be soothing. It is best to apply aloe and moisturizers right after a bath or shower when the skin is still moist. Lipner said moisturizers may slow peeling and expedite healing of the skin. A cool shower will also help to soothe the skin. A lesser known tip to ease a painful burn is to mix cornstarch or baking soda with water. Once it turns into a paste, apply the mixture to sunburned skin. Avoid irritants that may cause pain, slow healing. A hot shower will further irritate the skin, can be painful and should be avoided. Avoiding irritants allows the skin to heal faster. According to McEvoy, a cool shower may be more comfortable but it will not speed up recovery time. "Petroleum should be avoided because it traps heat and can make the skin more painful," Lipner said. Lipner recommends that people avoid applying anything that irritates the skin, including 
Benzocaine and lidocaine, or that can cause an infection.
These include hot baths, showers, saunas and steam rooms. "The epidermis, the outer layer of skin, normally protects against invading microorganisms. When you get a sunburn, the epidermis is damaged. This makes it prone to invasion of microorganisms, leading to infection," Lipner said. Drink plenty of water. Doctors said it is important to stay hydrated after sustaining a sunburn, so make sure to drink water. Dehydration can occur because you lose water from your skin very quickly. That can lead to not only dehydration, but also fatigue and heat stroke in some cases. Avoid peeling and popping blisters. Over the counter hydrocortisone can be helpful if the skin is very irritated. It is best to leave blisters alone so that they can heal. Once your skin starts to peel, it is best not to scrub the dead skin off or exfoliate. Sunburned skin is very sensitive, so wear loose clothing that doesn't irritate the skin. The best way to avoid peeling is by not getting burned. 
Once your skin is burned, the damage is done and it will run its course. In order to avoid a sunburn, avoid the sun when possible, apply a broad spectrum sunscreen, cover up with UV Protection Factor clothing and wear a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses.
A sunburn can strike even if you are in the water, shade or wearing thin clothes, so it is best to avoid being in the sun or stay in a shaded area if you must be outside. Sun rays are able to reflect off surfaces. Go inside or in the shade, and stay out of the sun until your sunburn fades. Exposure to more sunlight will only make things worse. The best remedy against sunburn is prevention. Always use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and avoid direct sun exposure. Feel free to leave comments and be sure to hit the “Like” button at the bottom of this post.