Sunburn can be painful and unsightly, but it does not last forever. How long sunburn lasts will depend on how severe it is and on certain risk factors. Unlike a thermal burn, sunburn is not immediately apparent. Symptoms usually start about 4 hours after sun exposure, worsen in 24-36 hours, and resolve in 3-5 days.https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/sunexposure/sunburn.html.
According to Keys Dermatologyhttps://www.keysdermatology.com/2019/07/16/how-long-does-it-take-to-heal-a-sunburn/, a moderate sunburn, where the skin is swollen and hot to the touch, can take a week to heal completely. A severe sunburn, characterized by intensely hot, red skin followed by blisters, can take up to two weeks to heal.
- Mild sunburn will continue for approximately 3 days.
- Moderate sunburn lasts for around 5 days and is often followed by peeling skin.
- Severe sunburn can last for more than a week, and the affected person may need to seek medical advice.
The immediate symptoms of the skin feeling hot, looking red, and feeling sore, will usually worsen 24–36 hours after exposure to the sun. Pain is often at its worst 6–48 hours after burning. If the skin is going to peel, it will usually start to happen 3–8 days after sun exposure.
Although the immediate effects of sunburn should heal within days or weeks, the damage can have a much longer-lasting impact.