Sunburn treatment: Gone overnight – is that possible?

Sunburn can be relieved with various measures. But can he also go away overnight? How long a sunburn lasts. / Sunburn treatment: Gone overnight – is that possible?

Sunburn is associated with annoying symptoms: the skin turns red, burns and itches. For many people it is also an aesthetic problem. You almost inevitably ask yourself how long a sunburn lasts – and whether it is possible to speed up the healing process.

Can a sunburn go away overnight?

A sunburn cannot go away overnight. Once it is there, the skin first has to regenerate itself.

From a medical point of view, a sunburn is a burn caused by UV radiation. There is usually a first degree burn. This means that only the top layer of skin is affected. In the case of a more severe sunburn, the deeper layers of the skin are also damaged. It can therefore take some time for the skin damage to heal. A sunburn will not go away overnight – not even with home remedies or medication.

Sunburn treatment / How long does a sunburn last?

The first symptoms of sunburn appear a few hours after sunbathing. They reach their peak after 6 to 24 hours and then – with a mild sunburn – subside within a few days. However, it usually takes one to two weeks for the skin damage to heal completely.

If a sunburn is so severe that it affects deeper layers of the skin, the symptoms are more severe. The skin then often forms blisters, and as it progresses it flakes. As a result, healing can take longer. In addition, scars may remain.

How can healing be accelerated?

The skin simply needs time to recover from the damage. However, you can support them in this. As a first measure, it is helpful to cool the sunburn, for example with a damp cloth. Creams, lotions or gels from the pharmacy also have a cooling effect. Preparations with dexpanthenol should also support the healing process. Creams or ointments containing cortisone are also often recommended, although it is not clear to what extent they actually provide any benefit.