How to Heal Sunburn

Take an anti-inflammatory in the first 12 hours to reduce the ultimate damage and ease pain. See a doctor if you have swelling or blisters or if you feel sick. Moisturize your skin and try soothing cold compresses. One bad burn boosts the risk of skin cancer, so see a dermatologist for skin checks.

To help prevent burns, take beta carotene and vitamin E supplements before you go out in the sun. If you're already feeling the pain of a burn, moisturize your skin using creams with vitamin E or flaxseed, chamomile, lavender or almond oils. All may help speed healing, prevent scaring and reduce irritation and inflammation.

If the skin starts peeling, leave it alone, since picking it off can lead to bleeding and scars. Drink lots of water; avoid hot showers or baths as heat dries out the skin.

Once you're burned, take 325-650 mg of aspirin for a day or two, drop a few Alka-Seltzer tablets into a bath or add two crushed aspirin to two teaspoons of lotion to ease inflammation.