We’ve all been there. You go to the beach thinking you have applied sunscreen all over your body only to come home and look in the mirror to see a red lobster staring back at you. With spring break coming up, it’s important to make sure you protect yourself from the harmful UV rays that the sun gives off. 

Once you’ve realized you messed up and are red as a tomato what do you do now? Well, there are a few remedies that actually work to help relieve some of the pain and the redness.

1.Try putting milk on the burns

Milk has soothing anti-inflammatory effects on your skin, which comes in handy when you have a bad burn. It has also been proven that cold temperatures constrict blood vessels which lead to a reduction in swelling too.

2.Apply an aloe based cream or gel

Aloe Vera is probably the number one at home remedy that people use for sunburns. The gel has cooling effects on the skin that soothes the pain and is also good for your skin.

3.Place tea bags on the skin

This remedy is probably one that not many people know, but if you make a few pots of green tea and soak your skin in it, it can help to reduce the redness of your burn almost immediately. Senior Jayne McLaughlin swears by this DIY remedy!

4.Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water

Hydration is key when you have damaged your skin. Staying hydrated will help your sunburn heal quicker. It is recommended to drink about 8 glasses of water a day.

5.Take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen

Anti-inflammatory medication reduces swelling and pain throughout the entire body.

Don’t worry if you find yourself in this situation. Many Academy girls have sunburn horror stories too, and they have all gotten through them.

Senior Julia Lester, “One time I put baby oil on instead of sunscreen. Let’s just say it did not end well.”

Whatever you do over spring break, make sure that you stay safe from the sun. Make sure you cover up so that you can go out and have fun all of spring break instead of sitting around in pain from the burn.