How Long Do Sunburns Last?

Generally it depends on how severe the sunburn is and what type of skin complexion you have. For most sunburns, the burning sensation will last between 2 and 4 days. For sunburns that are less severe, they will stop hurting after a day or so. Sunburns that are more severe can sometimes take over 5 days to stop hurting and burning. After your skin stops burning, the next part of the process is for your skin to start peeling. Although peeling skin can be unpleasant to look at, it usually isn’t painful.

It’s always recommended to keep out of the sun during the time your skin is healing. Going into the sun after you’ve already been sunburned can cause the burn to become worse, which could make the burning sensation last a few days longer! It’s a good idea to put lotions or home remedies on your skin to help soothe the burning sensation. A very popular method to relive the burn is by using the aloe vera plant. It’s also highly recommended to stay very hydrated as sunburns can dry your body and skin out greatly.

Depending on how severe your sunburn is, you may develop blisters on your shoulders, back, arms, or anywhere else your skin is burned. These blisters are usually a sign of a second degree sunburn, or worse. These burns can be very harmful to your skin and could potentially cause you long term damage, or even some types of skin cancer. These blisters will usually take 1 – 2 weeks to heal, and can be very painful. The best treatment for these severe types of sunburns is to never get them in the first place! Always use extreme caution when going out in the sun. Keep in mind it will usually take a couple of hours to notice a sunburn developing, so even though you may not have the burn on the beach, later at the hotel your skin could be on fire.

All in all, the worst part of a sunburn is over within the first 48 hours unless you are severely sunburns. You can expect the sunburn to be completely gone in around 7 – 10 days, adding a couple days for more severe burns. Remember, sunburns can lead to premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, or even certain types of skin cancer later in life! Always take care of your body and skin before entering the sun.

It’s also a good idea to NOT shave the parts of your skin that are affected by the sunburn. This could cause to further pain and irritation of the skin, and certainly doesn’t help the sunburn. Loose fitting clothing is also good to wear while you have the sunburn, as tight clothing can also be painful and irritable.