Viraj J. Mehta, MD, MBA is an Oculofacial Plastics and Orbit expert, who serves a local and an international community at his practice near Washington, D.C. Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Dr. Mehta attended Cornell University for undergraduate and business school. He went on to complete his medical education and training at top institutions across the country, including Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Mayo Clinic.

We are well into the hottest and sunniest days of summer; sometimes, we fall short of sunscreen and get a scorching sunburn. So painful, that the thought of getting into a hot shower is no fun. Of course, the best advice is to wear a mineral-based sunblock (something with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), but as you know, advice is not always taken. As an Haute Beauty expert and Oculoplastics specialist, Dr. Viraj Mehta has seen the worst of the worst sunburns. That said, here are the tips he shares with his patients, regardless of the location. 

WHAT TO DO:

1. Use cold compresses/ice packs to cool down your skin
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Apply Aloe Vera
4. Wear light-weight, loose-fitting cotton clothes
5. Apply moisturizer, especially something with colloidal oatmeal, like Aveeno

WHAT NOT TO DO: 

1. Makeup until the burn heals
2. Exfoliators, let the dead skin flake off naturally
3. Numbing creams or gels. Do not apply anything that says “-caine” like Benzocaine. These medications can actually impair the healing process and cause more irritation.

If your sunburn does not resolve in a few days, it is important to see your physician to see if any additional medications, like steroids, may be needed.