Why Does My Skin Peel After Sunburn?

Skin that is severely sunburned will die from lack of moisture. Cells dry up and the skin sloughs off so that new skin is exposed. When the skin peels after sunburn the human body is reacting in a way that is meant to preserve the health of the skin and help the person survive.

Obviously, it is better not to “fry” the skin with long exposure to the sun but it happens occasionally. The surface layer of skin dries up and peels away as part of a natural healing process.

Turn Over, You’re Done!

Another way to look at the process of sunburn and peeling skin is to visualize the surface layer of skin as being “cooked” by prolonged exposure to the sun. There’s a reason that the process is called sunburn. Laying out in the sun kills the skin cells, which hang on for a day or two before they begin to peel away. During this time the dead skin is protecting new skin cells underneath.

When the new cells have combined to create a skin coating strong enough to stand on its own the old cells will fall away. Those new cells, full of moisture, are ready to be exposed to the elements. When the last of the natural moisture in the old cells is gone there is nothing to hold it in place.

When the old, dead cells fall away it is important to protect the new skin from exposure to sun. Even though the new skin will be fine under “normal” circumstances, long exposure to sun and win can dry these sensitive cells and cause additional problems.

Do What You Can

While we can’t hide indoors all our lives we can take some steps to prevent serious sunburn and the flaking, peeling skin that usually comes with it. Try limiting your time in direct sunlight to a few minutes at a time. Wear a hat with a wide brim and use plenty of sunscreen/lotion to protect your body.

If you do get sunburned to the point that the skin blisters, peels and comes off you must do a few basic things to take care of the condition. Wash the sunburned skin with warm or cool water and a mild soap. Don’t use harsh chemicals or soap that is too strong. When you dry the burned areas, don’t rub with a towel. Pat the areas softly to get them dry.

Try to keep the healing areas exposed to the air and avoid rubbing them with clothing if possible. Moisturizing cream or lotion will help keep the damaged skin moist. This might help you avoid serious peeling if you apply the lotion in time. But don’t be surprised when the dead skin eventually starts to peel away.

One other fact to keep in mind when considering sunburned skin and ways that skin cells are destroyed: You don’t have to get sunburn to kill sensitive skin cells. Long exposure to sun and wind can cause significant damage, even without peeling and blistering.