Taking Care of Your Sunburn in Hawaii
If you’re visiting Hawaii and spend too much time in the sun, you might end up with a nasty sunburn. Sunburns can be extremely painful, and they can also cause long-term damage to your skin if they’re not treated properly. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to take care of a sunburn while you’re in Hawaii. We’ll also provide some tips for preventing sunburns from happening in the first place!
Prevent The Sunburn!
The best way to take care of sunburn is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The sun is extremely strong in Hawaii, so you’ll need to take some precautions to protect your skin.
First, make sure that you apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even if you don’t plan on spending much time outside. Remember to wear reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii’s coral reefs are fragile and have been seeing damage because of how many people visit and swim. Keep an eye out for sunscreens that are broad-spectrum and block both UVA and UVB rays for the most protection.
If you’re still interested in the topic of reef-safe sunscreen, be sure to read about how sunscreen affects marine life. This helps you understand how humans affect the local environment and why we should take measures to protect it.
It’s also a good idea to wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and hats. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible during the hottest hours of the day.
Another thing to keep in mind is being in the water doesn’t mean you are safe from the sun. The water increases the effects of the sun and can almost burn you quicker. Re-apply sunscreen every few hours or so if you are spending a lot of time swimming. The same concept goes with the beaches, as the white sand beaches reflect a lot more sunlight than most places.
Elevation Means Easier Burns
Depending on what Hawaiian island you’re on you might explore some of the mountains and valleys. As you go up in elevation the sun will become even stronger. Some summits in Hawaii, such as Haleakala National Park get as high as 10,000 feet, meaning you will burn easier.
Avoiding the Sun
Adding some accessories to your Hawaii outfit can also help stay out of the sun. Sunglasses, hats, and light long sleeve shirts can do wonders when you are spending a lot of time outdoors.
When you’re at the beach, it is definitely worth it to bring along an umbrella and something to shade yourself with. Shade is your best friend during Hawaii’s hot months.
Treating the Sun Burn
If you do end up with a sunburn, there are some things you can do to ease the pain and help your skin heal. First, try to cool down the burned area by taking a cool shower or applying a cold compress. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen to help with the pain and inflammation. Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated as if you are getting sunburned the chances are high that your body is still working hard to cool down.
It’s also important to avoid further damage to your skin while it’s healing. So avoid picking at any peeling skin, and don’t expose the sunburned area to any more sunlight until it has healed completely. One thing that can help a lot is aloe vera to soothe the burning.
Enjoy Your Time In Paradise
Hawaii is a beautiful place, and we hope that you have a great time here. Just remember to take care of yourself in the sun, and if you do end up with a sunburn, follow the tips in this article to help your skin heal quickly. With a little bit of preparation, you can prevent sunburns and enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer!