🌴 Sunburn help needed — Cape Verde tips?

[u/FrostyEatsIce]

Hey everyone,
I arrived in Cape Verde on Tuesday night and spent pretty much all day in the sun on Wednesday. I was applying sunscreen frequently, but clearly missed my shoulders and the back of my neck.
Wednesday night they were just slightly red and weren’t painful, so I didn’t think too much of it. Then I spent another full day in the sun on Thursday and made sure I was putting plenty of sunscreen on my shoulders and neck.
Since Friday and now today (Saturday), it’s become painful and hasn’t really felt like it’s getting better. So I’ve now kept my shoulders completely covered and out of the sun today, and tomorrow I’m planning to wear a T-shirt in the pool so I can still enjoy the holiday without exposing the burn.
I’ve only just bought and applied aloe vera this evening, so I haven’t really had a chance to see if that helps yet.
I’ve still got another week of holiday and obviously want to enjoy it, so I’m wondering if anyone who lives in Cape Verde or is used to the strong sun here has any tips or tricks for dealing with a bad sunburn and helping it heal as quickly as possible?
Anything I should be doing/avoiding while I’m here would be really appreciated! 🌴☀️

[u/ConsciousCucumber881]

Wij wonen hier en wij gaan nooit langer dan een paar uur in de felle zon. Je zit hier bijna op de evenaar, dus de zon staat recht boven je. Dus ik zou maar een paar uur achter elkaar in de zon gaan en dan een shirt aan of onder de parasol. Veel plezier nog hier. 👌

[u/FrostyEatsIce → u/ConsciousCucumber881]

Thank you for the advice :)

[u/syvaetsija]

You need to use (or buy, if you do not have) an after sun with aloe vera and panthenol. Apply it several times a day and you should be good in 1-2 days, depending on severity of sunburns. If there are blisters, which opened and became open wounds, then buy grogue and apply it gently once a day to prevent an inflamation.

[u/FrostyEatsIce → u/syvaetsija]

What is panthenol and where can I get it? I want to be able to tan again as going home on friday… 😂

[u/syvaetsija → u/FrostyEatsIce]

The most of after sun lotions have it. Check the content of your aloe vera lotion, it should be there. Panthenol is a medicine, which helps skin to regenerate.

[u/Kamila95]

You should not go out in the sun during the middle of the day, 11am-3pm. If you have to be outside at that time you should be fully covered (large hat, cover ups etc.)

[u/syvaetsija → u/Kamila95]

They can go out, just cover the skin. It is even possible to swim in the T-shirt without any issue.

[u/Kamila95 → u/syvaetsija]

Yes of course it is possible but he will likely still burn unless every inch is covered. In my case if I go out midday for a couple hours my feet burn where sandals don't cover them, hands are uncovered so they burn etc. Swimming in a t-shirt forearms and legs would burn.

Btw I am eastern European so extra white

[u/jamesbrown2500]

Skin burn it's something that take time to heal. The only thing you can do is to apply moisturizer and wait. Protect yourself with a 50 factor cream. Anyway,this skin will almost certainly peel on a few days,so.

[u/kimvojatravel]

Hey! I've lived in Cape Verde andddd am very sensitive to the sun. My number one go to is for sure fresh Aloe Vera. With fresh I mean straight from the plant! I once had a fever of sunburn. I stayed out of the sun or was wearing long, soft clothes, a cap and sunglasses. My local rhythm was as follows: wake up early, enjoy the time outside and explore around until the sun gets too hot (from 6am-12.00). Go inside in the afternoon to stay away from the burning sun or take a siesta (12.00-16.00h). Go out again around 4pm when the hottest time of the day is finished. Enjoying the afternoon and evening by going outside again. But for sure Aloe Vera all night long! During the day a loooot of sunscreen. Good luck and enjoy the last couple of days!

[u/Optimal-Bird-9068]

Aloe vera gel, put it in the freezer for some time and then use it multiple times.