Treating Minor Beauty Injuries

Here’s how to handle little beauty mishaps without an M.D.

A First-Degree Burn From the Curling Iron

The Rx: Treat it as you would any first-degree burn. "Wrap ice in a paper towel or a thin cloth and apply it to the burn right away to cool down the temperature of the skin," says Carolyn Jacob, an associate clinical instructor of dermatology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in Chicago. Next, apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to the burned area. At night, use a gentle cleanser (like Cetaphil) to wash the burned skin, and afterward apply a moisturizing ointment (such as Aquaphor). Keep the area covered with a bandage. Take ibuprofen or aspirin if you're in pain. If the burn starts to blister or develops pus, see a doctor.

Quick camouflage: Try some creative hairstyling. Side-swept bangs can cover a spot on your forehead, while a low side ponytail works for a burn on your neck.