When you go out into the sun, sunscreen is there to ensure that harmful UV rays can’t damage the skin in a way that leads to sunburn. SPF 50 face cream blocks about 98% of UVB rays, but it’s only able to provide this protection when you apply it evenly and ensure that not one single square inch is missed.
However, even with diligent application, it’s quite easy to miss a spot and end up with a sunburn over that area, so what do you do when that prickly heat sensation strikes?
Dealing With Sunburn Your SPF 50 Face Cream Misses
So, what’s the score when you’ve made the mistake of failing to cover all of your exposed skin with SPF 50 face cream? Well, as soon as you notice a sunburn, the first task is to get out of the sun so as to avoid further damage. The next job is to cool the skin, which involves applying a cool (not cold) compress to the affected area for around 10-15 minutes.
Next, you need to hydrate, as sunburn has the effect of drawing fluid to the surface and away from the rest of the body, so it’s vital that you drink plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated.
Moisturizer Is Also a Major Consideration With Sunburn
Another major consideration when dealing with sunburn is providing hydration to the skin topically, which essentially means applying some kind of moisturizer or aloe vera-based product. It’s important that you avoid oil or petroleum-based products, as they have the habit of trapping heat and exacerbating the problem.
Something else that you won’t be able to ignore at this point is the pain, as it’s going to be quite acute. If needed, it’s advisable to take some painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. If your skin happens to blister, then don’t touch them, as your skin will have created them to heal and protect the layers below. Absolutely do not pop them.
Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat if Returning Outside
If you do have to go back outside after treating your sunburn, be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep the burnt area in the shade. Obviously, if you can avoid the problem in the first place, it’s better than treating the after-effects, and you can do this by not just concentrating on your forehead and T-zone but also paying attention to the ears, the eye area, and the back of your neck.
People often turn to a sunscreen stick for the eye area, as it lessens the chances of splashing lotion in your eyes and getting a painful, stinging sensation. Be sure to use a mirror, too, when applying to this tricky area of the face.
SPF 50 Face Cream & Staying Safe in the Sun
Sunscreen gives you all the protection you need to keep your face looking great and feeling healthy, but when you miss a spot, it can’t do its job. We hope you find the information in this article useful should you ever have the misfortune of enduring sunburn, but in an ideal world, you’ll be able to avoid it completely.
All we’ll say to finish up is that you need to have in mind the ramifications of missing an area when applying your sunscreen, as it will allow you to focus on those areas that are often missed by people.
