How to Prevent and Care for a Scalp Sunburn

Sunburn is a very common problem that is experienced during the months of summer. Most people know that it is important to wear sun block when they go outdoors to protect their face, arms, legs and even their toes against sunburn. What many do not realize is that the scalp can also get sunburn. How do you prevent this from happening and what do you do once your scalp has been sunburned?

How to Prevent Scalp Sunburn

The most effective way to prevent scalp sunburn is to apply sun block to the scalp. Although you can use regular sun block to do this, a much easier way would be to use a spray bottle variety. If you are worried about your hair looking oily, test out a few different sun blocks to find one which does not leave greasy residue. When applying sun block to the face, it is important to make sure that you do not forget about the scalp line, which is a very sensitive area for sunburn.

Still not sold on the idea of applying sun block to the scalp? There are a few other ways to protect your scalp from getting sunburn, especially if you are a woman. For starters, you can wear a hat or a bandanna to protect your scalp from the sun. Another great way to protect your scalp from getting sunburn is to make sure that you do not have a part in your hair, by brushing your hair back or wearing it up.

How to Care For Scalp Sunburn

If you already have scalp sunburn, you may be wondering what you can do about it. The most important thing that you should remember that you should never, ever scratch scalp sunburn. Not only will it slow down the process of healing, but it will cause the dead skin to flake off and, ultimately, can cause you to experience dandruff.

Aloe Vera gel is generally recommended as the best relief for sunburn. Luckily, you can use it on your scalp sunburn. Try to opt for aloe that comes in a spray bottle, as it will be much easier for you to apply than aloe that comes in a regular bottle.

Avoid using shampoo on your scalp while the sunburn is still there. The detergents may agitate it. Apply the shampoo halfway down the hair. You can consider using conditioner on the scalp because moisturizer may provide relief and help remove dead skin.