How To: Get Rid of a Sunburn (The Single Most Effective Method)

Well, this is my first article on WonderHowTo, and is only going to be short because it's an extremely easy and effective method for removing a painful sunburn. This method was recommended to me by my friend's mother, who is a nurse and therefore MUST know what she's talking about. Turns out she did. I hope this helps many painful sunburns to recede or disappear.

Step 1 Materials

You will need a total of five things.

1. A bathtub to do this in (preferably ceramic, so it won't stain)
2. A pitcher
3. A rag that you don't mind getting stained
4. Water
5. Three bags of black tea (I use Earl Grey)

Step 2 Prepare the Tea

First things first, strip down, because you don't want to get any of your clothes wet. Fill the pitcher with warm water and soak the tea bags in it. When you have the water almost black, like the picture, then move on to Step 3.

Step 3 Apply the Tea

Dunk the rag into the tea and dab it onto the sunburn. DO NOT WIPE IT OFF! Leave it on and let it be absorbed into your skin. Once it's dry, reapply as necessary, but never wash it off. If you do this process before bedtime, you can go to sleep and give it time to work its magic. In the morning, you can wash it off in your shower. The sunburn should be substantially subsided or all gone, but remember—the sooner you can apply the tea after you get the burn, the quicker and more effective it will be.

Warnings

• Do not, under any circumstances, take a hot shower after being sunburned, as it will make your burn much worse.

Follow Up

This method works, because of the tannic acid in the tea. It is particularly effective in healing the burn, not just making it feel better like aloe. For more information, or a message board about this article, check out the original article on Instructables.