The heatwave might have come to an end, but if you spent any time outside in recent days you may still be nursing a nasty sunburn. The North East recorded highs of 36.8C yesterday (July 19) as temperatures across the UK soared.
While the rest of this week is set to be cooler, the Met Office has already predicted that the coming weeks will see above-average temperatures. Its long-range forecast confirmed that more "very warm" weather is on the way at the beginning of August.
Of course, this doesn't bode well for Brits who aren't used to facing such extreme heat and sunshine. Even a short time under the sun's glare can lead to sunburn, which in turn increases you risk of developing skin cancer, reports EdinburghLive.
READ MORE: Met Office issues next heatwave update as more 'very warm' weather forecast
If you're looking a little pink today, it's worth wearing suncream and trying to stay out of the sun during the hottest hours of the day in the future. But in the meantime, you might be wondering how best to soothe your skin and reduce redness.
With this in mind, John Lawless, content marketing manager at luxury bathroom specialists Big Bathroom Shop, and Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click, have teamed up to provide some handy tips. From cold compresses to what kind of towel to use, here are the key things to remember when showering or bathing with sun-damaged skin:
Wait for the right temperature
First things first, never take a hot shower after sun exposure. Instead, it's a much better idea to take a cold shower or bath to start cooling down the skin.
While there is no strict rule as to the amount of time you should wait to shower, Abbas said: "What’s more important, is you should always wait to make sure the water temperature is right before getting in a shower or bath to ensure the skin has no further irritation.
"Try to avoid temperature extremes as this could further aggravate the skin. Hot water will add to the burning sensation and could interfere with the skin’s healing process."
John added: "If you have a thermostatic shower, it is easy to change the temperature of the water, and you can adjust as required depending on the weather, skin type and level of discomfort from any sunburn. You could also add a cold compress to the area using a flannel or cloth if you have limited access to a bath or shower which should offer instant relief from the itchy, burning sensation."
Use the lowest pressure possible
If your skin is feeling sore, you should only take a shower if you can control the pressure. In this case, taking a bath may provide a more gentle and soothing experience.
Abbas explained: "High water pressure should be avoided as it can further aggravate the affected area and potentially burst skin blisters and inflame heat rash which can be painful."
Submerge in water with added ingredients
Don’t have a shower or prefer a soak? Run yourself a cool bath and submerge the burn as much as you can. Bonus points if you can add some extra ingredients as this can help speed up the healing process.
"Run the tap until the tub is around three-quarters full to be able to fully submerge your body comfortably," John said. "If legs are the affected area, you can sit in a shallow depth to save water and use compresses on less affected areas such as shoulders."
Abbas added: "I would recommend adding a few drops of lavender or chamomile oil to your bath to help relieve the stinging sensation."
Getting out and drying off
Finally, once you’re out, the experts recommend using a specific towel to dry off. John said: "Try not to spend too long bathing as this could dry out your skin further. Use a clean, soft towel to gently pat your skin dry and finish with a repairing cream like aftersun or E45.
"Always protect your skin from the sun first as opposed to treating any damage that is incurred afterwards. Remember to apply sun cream regularly, keep hydrated and spend time in the shade where possible."
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