How to Get Rid of Sunburn Fast

Overdid it in the sun? There's no magic overnight cure, but the right moves ease the sting fast and help your skin heal in days instead of a miserable week. Here's exactly what to do.

9 ways to soothe a sunburn

1. Cool it down. A cool (not ice-cold) shower or a cool damp compress pulls heat out of the skin and calms the burn. Repeat as needed.
2. Hydrate from the inside. Burns pull fluid to the skin's surface, so drink extra water to avoid dehydration.
3. Apply pure aloe vera. Aloe is the gold standard for cooling and soothing. Chill it in the fridge for extra relief.
4. Take an anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen or aspirin (as directed) reduces pain, redness, and swelling, especially in the first 24 hours.
5. Moisturize gently. A fragrance-free lotion locks in moisture as the burn settles. Avoid thick, greasy products that trap heat.
6. Leave blisters alone. They protect the healing skin underneath. Popping them invites infection.
7. Dress loose and soft. Cotton and loose fits keep fabric from rubbing raw skin.
8. Stay out of the sun. More UV on burned skin makes everything worse and slows healing. Cover up completely until it heals.
9. Don't peel. When skin flakes, let it shed on its own and keep moisturizing — picking can scar.

How long until it heals?

A mild sunburn usually fades in 3–5 days; a more severe one can take a week or more and may peel. Want the full timeline and how to speed it up? Read how long a sunburn lasts.

The bottom line

Cool, hydrate, soothe, and protect — that's the whole playbook. There's no instant fix, but doing the right things from the first hour makes a real difference. And the best cure is never burning in the first place.