How do you get rid of patchy sunburn?

Author: Alyce O'Reilly  |  Last update: Sunday, December 14, 2025

How Do You Get Rid of Brown Spots From Sunburn? You may have read about how to get rid of sunspots with home remedies, but the most effective ways to remove brown spots after sunburn are laser skin treatment, photodynamic therapy, and chemical peels.

How to fix patchy skin after sunburn?

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Slathering on moisturizer not only keeps the skin hydrated, it also helps restore the skin barrier, the top layer of skin under those dead cells. It may also help curb additional peeling.

Do sunburn patches go away?

Sunburns often go away on their own within a few days to a week. More severe sunburns take longer to heal. The bad news? The damage to the DNA in your skin cells is permanent.

Why has my sunburn gone patchy?

To protect itself from the damaging effects of the sun, skin makes more brown pigment, called melanin. That extra melanin is what creates a suntan. But sometimes skin doesn't make melanin evenly. As a result, the skin's coloring, called pigmentation, looks patchy.

How do you fix a patchy tan from a sunburn?

Exfoliate the skin

Another way to fix patchy tan is with an exfoliator, as gently scrubbing the skin will tone down the color. Massage our Tan Enhancing Body Polish and Exfoliator onto the streaky areas until the pigment has faded.

How to get rid of SUNBURN fast on the face/ simply and effective natural home remedy!

How to fix blotchy skin from the sun?

Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and bleaching creams may also be helpful. However, be sure you talk to your dermatologist first, since some of these approaches may irritate your skin or even make the blotchiness worsen. The most important thing is to keep your sun exposure to a minimum.

How do you fix a patchy tan ASAP?

Exfoliate darker areas

Oops, you've done it again – and your tan is a patchy or streaky mess. Your first course of action to even things out is to exfoliate any darker areas. Exfoliating with a mitt and gentle body scrub will help lift away those dead skin cells that have absorbed a touch too much colour.

How do you treat sunburn patches?

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Take a pain reliever. ...
  2. Cool the skin. ...
  3. Apply a moisturizer, lotion or gel. ...
  4. Drink extra water for a day. ...
  5. Leave blisters alone. ...
  6. Treat peeling skin gently. ...
  7. Take an anti-itch drug. ...
  8. Apply a soothing medicated cream.

What does a 2nd degree sunburn look like?

Second-degree burns (also known as partial thickness burns) involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.

How do you get rid of patchy sun tan?

  1. Hydrating the skin. Whether the tan is even or not, the skin requires hydration and nourishment after a tanning session. ...
  2. Gently Exfoliate. Hydration has soothed the skin, which can finally be exfoliated in the area showing uneven tanning. ...
  3. Use a self-tanning product. ...
  4. Conceal with tinted treatments.

What not to put on sunburn?

Don't
  1. do not use petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin.
  2. do not put ice or ice packs on sunburnt skin.
  3. do not pop any blisters.
  4. do not scratch or try to remove peeling skin.
  5. do not wear tight-fitting clothes over sunburnt skin.

How to get rid of sunburn discoloration?

2 Apply retinoic acid cream

Over time, retinoic acid can improve skin pigmentation and help ease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol products are available over the counter. Retinoids, which are stronger, can be obtained with a prescription from your dermatologist.

What does severe sunburn look like?

A person with second-degree sunburn may notice the following symptoms : deep redness or other skin color changes, which can be easy to detect on light skin but more subtle on dark skin. swelling and blistering over a large area. wet-looking, shiny skin.

Will sunburn splotches go away?

Brown spots after sunburn may fade over time, but they do not completely disappear unless treated. This is because those brown spots are areas of skin cells that have been damaged. Once treated, dark spots on your skin do not return.

How do you get rid of sun patches?

Age spot treatments include:
  1. Medications. Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over several months. ...
  2. Laser and intense pulsed light. ...
  3. Freezing (cryotherapy). ...
  4. Dermabrasion. ...
  5. Microdermabrasion. ...
  6. Chemical peel.

Is it too late to fix sun damaged skin?

Can sun damage be reversed? Once UV radiation changes your skin cells' DNA, the DNA damage can't be reversed. However, this doesn't mean that you can't change the appearance of your skin. You can treat, reduce and/or repair the effects of sun-damaged skin.

What is the finger test for sunburn?

The fingertip test. Fingertip test for checking that skin blanches which is a normal skin reaction. Skin that does not blanch when gently pressed is damaged. Remove finger and there should be a blanched (pale) area where the finger was.

What is the fastest way to heal a second-degree burn?

Overview
  1. Rinse the burn. Rinse burned skin with cool water until the pain stops. ...
  2. Clean the burn. Wash your hands before cleaning a burn. ...
  3. Apply ointment to keep the burn moist. You may want to use petroleum jelly or an antibiotic cream or ointment, like bacitracin or triple antibiotic ointment. ...
  4. Bandage the burn.

How to tell if a sunburn is bad?

When to see a doctor
  1. Develop large blisters.
  2. Develop blisters on the face, hands or genitals.
  3. Experience severe swelling of the affected area.
  4. Show signs of infection, such as blisters with pus or streaks.
  5. Experience worsening pain, headache, confusion, nausea, fever or chills.
  6. Get worse despite at-home care.

Why is my sunburn so patchy?

Irregular or patchy discoloration of the skin can be caused by: Changes in melanin, a substance produced in the skin cells that gives skin its color. Growth of bacteria or other organisms on the skin. Blood vessel (vascular) changes.

How long do sunburn patches last?

Sunburn is skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. It usually causes the skin to become red, sore, warm, tender and occasionally itchy for about a week. The skin will normally start to flake and peel after a few days and will usually fully heal within 7 days.

How to fade a sunburn overnight?

How do you get rid of a sunburn overnight? You likely can't get rid of a sunburn overnight, but taking frequent cool showers may help reduce the sting from sunburn. After the shower, use aloe vera gel or a gentle moisturizer to keep moisture in your skin, which can help it heal faster. Also drink plenty of fluids.

How do you fix a patchy sun tan fast?

7 Simple Tricks to Even Out Tan Lines
  1. Exfoliate and Scrub. You can simply scrub your skin and carefully exfoliate the parts where the tan lines are most visible. ...
  2. Use Lemon Juice and Honey Mixture. ...
  3. Use Quality Aloe Vera Gel. ...
  4. Coconut Oil. ...
  5. Quality Sunless Tanner. ...
  6. Baking Soda. ...
  7. Smart Use of Makeup.

How do you fix tanning patches?

Exfoliate darker areas

To lighten darker patches, exfoliate the affected areas regularly. You can also apply a tan remover or exfoliating product to speed up the fading process. Try the Clarins Tonic Sugar Polisher , which contains rosemary, making it gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin.

Can a tan fade in patches?

if you have any dirt or dead skin cells hangin' round, your chances of having a patchy tan are much, much higher because the tan will fade in some spots quicker than others due to some skin cells being older than others.

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