Should I wash my face with cold water or hot water after sun exposure?

Every time I return home, I want to wash my face with cool water to cool down the temperature on my face because it is too hot. But will washing your face with cold water after sun exposure harm your skin?

Should I wash my face with cold or hot water after sun exposure?

After sun exposure, it is best to wait until your face returns to normal temperature before washing it with cold water. It is best to use ice cubes and apply cold compress for a few minutes, which will relieve the redness of your face after sun exposure.

First aid methods after sun exposure:

Step 1: 1 hour after sun exposure: Apply iced lotion to your face with a cotton pad

Soak the cotton pad in lotion for a few minutes. If conditions permit, it is best to put it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Stick it on the hot area of ​​​​the face to relieve the burning sensation on the face quickly.

After applying the mask on my face for 10 minutes, I can clearly feel that the hot feeling on my face has been relieved a little.

Step 2: 2 hours after sun exposure: Use a cooling mask to lower skin temperature

After applying iced lotion on your face with a cotton pad, use a cooling mask designed for after-sun treatments to apply it on the skin surface to absorb heat.

After applying the cooling mask, your face will feel cool and the redness on your face will gradually disappear.

Step 3: 4 hours after sun exposure: Use moisturizing gel for basic hydration

After completing basic cooling care with toner and cooling mask, use hydrating and moisturizing gel to lock in moisture while the water is still wet.

Moisturizing gel cools and calms the skin. If you don't moisturize your skin in time, your skin will secrete a lot of oil to ensure the water and oil balance. After using moisturizing gel, you will obviously find that the oil secretion on your face is reduced.

Step 4: 6 hours after sun exposure: Use a hydrating mask for deep care

Applying a hydrating mask before going to bed can effectively soothe sun-damaged skin and quickly replenish lost moisture for the skin. For those who are concerned about spots, choose a whitening mask to prevent them and metabolize the dullness and pigmentation that have already formed.

Problems such as dry and rough skin after severe sunburn can be alleviated or even completely avoided after the long list of repair work mentioned above.

Will cold water make you darker after sun exposure?

Washing your face with cold water will not make your face darker, but the skin temperature rises after exposure to the sun. Washing your face directly with cold water will stimulate the facial capillaries and cause redness and swelling.

The correct way is to wait until the skin returns to normal temperature before washing your face, and use lukewarm water that is slightly cooler. Choose a mild cleansing product, preferably a milky one, and then make a hydrating mask. You can choose a mild softening water bubble paper mask to apply on your face, or apply a thick layer of after-sun repair product, or apply a layer of hydrating essence, all of which can have the effect of post-sun repair.

Precautions after sun exposure

1. Do not scratch the sunburned and peeling areas to avoid leaving scars.

2. When wiping the peeling area with a towel, do not use too much force. Just wipe it gently with a soft and clean towel.

3. Do not peel off the dead skin on the sunburned area with your hands, but use small scissors to cut it off.

4. Sunburn and peeling are relatively serious conditions, so try to avoid being under the scorching sun for too long. Sun protection must also be done well, and the sunscreen products used should be mild.

What to do if you get acne after sun exposure

Small bumps appear after being sunburned, usually due to skin allergy to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. When this happens, you should immediately go to a cool place and avoid sunlight. At the same time, apply Kangfuxin Liquid and Compound Huangbo Liquid for wet compresses, and take Compound Glycyrrhizic Acid Capsules and antihistamines orally for antipruritic, desensitization, and anti-inflammatory treatments. If you don’t have any medicine at hand, you can temporarily apply a wet compress with clean water for about 20 minutes, twice a day. If the symptoms are mild, they will resolve on their own within 6-12 hours. If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended to seek medical attention nearby and strictly avoid sun exposure.