26.06.25

Expert Advice: Heatwave Sunburn 

With the UK experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves, safeguarding your skin and eyes from the sun’s harmful rays has never been more important. 

Sunburn isn’t just an uncomfortable side effect of a sunny day — it’s a sign of serious UV damage that can have lasting consequences. We have some advice from our clients Dr Alexis Granite and Dr Elizabeth Hawkes to get their take on what really happens when you burn, how best to prevent it, and what to do if you’ve overdone it in the sun. 

From SPF advice and aftercare essentials to protecting the delicate eye area, here’s everything you need to know to stay safe and sun-smart this summer.

DR ALEXIS GRANITE

(Consultant Dermatologist & Founder of Joonbyrd)

Physiologically what is sunburn? 

Sunburn occurs when the skin becomes red, hot and sore due to overexposure to UVB radiation. In severe cases sunburn may also cause blistering. Physiologically it’s an inflammatory response within the skin due to UV damage to skin cells.

What is the best way to prevent sunburn? Is it about SPF? Or staying out of the sun? Or both? 

Preventing sunburn is done by both sun avoidance and sun protection. Avoiding sun exposure during peak hours is the best way to prevent sun damage. But sunscreen of course is also effective, opt for a high factor SPF 30 or 50 and reapply every 2-3 hours when in strong sun, perspiring heavily and/or swimming.

What should we do to treat sunburn/damage we get it? 

Unfortunately there is not that much to do once you have a sunburn other than tincture of time. Staying hydrated, cool compresses, emollients and pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be helpful. Over the counter hydrocortisone cream twice daily can be helpful in reducing inflammation and redness. Avoid any skincare products with alcohol and acids. Keeping your skin out of the sun is essential if you have a sunburn.

What should we all have in our sunburn SOS kit and why?

Emollients are key for sunburn, I especially like Avene Cicalfate. Hydrocortisone cream is always a good option to have for sunburn and also itchy insect bites (especially when on holiday). And plenty of water to stay hydrated! Of course prevention is the best medicine when it comes to sunburn.

What are your tips for dealing with sunburn?

I am a dermatologist so a sunburn would be a real no no for me! But worst case if it happens, the best thing to do is to keep the skin as cool as possible with ice packs/cool compresses and NSAIDs like naproxen can help alleviate some of the discomfort.

Emollients also help skin heal following a sunburn, both our Joonbyrd SUNDAY SOFA Body Butter and CeraVe Moisturising Cream are well suited for this. OTC or prescription strength steroid creams can help alleviate the itch of insect bites, as can cool compresses. Bug bite relief patches are a good option to help prevent scratching and infection.

DR ELIZABETH HAWKES

(Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon)

Top tips for sunburn on the eyes?

UV radiation from the sun can damage the delicate skin of your eyelid, as well as the skin surrounding the eye area. It can also damage the cornea, lenses and other parts of the eye. UV exposure can contribute to some types of cataracts, solar retinopathy and pterygium. Protecting the eyes from this is essential for eye health reasons and also to prevent premature ageing.”

Just like you protect your skin from UV rays, you need to protect your eyes too. I buy lenses that cover the eyes and surrounding areas and don’t slip down; this helps to protect not only the eye itself but also the delicate skin around it.

It is really important to go for yearly eye checks with the optician. Often visual loss is a late sign of eye disease, and there are usually treatment options available that can delay the onset or reduce the severity of the eye disease

Claudia Mely

PR Manager 

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