Summer is finally here and it is time for poolside parties, beach vacations and lots of fun in the sun. But we must be careful. As the Ozone layers are slowly fading away overtime; rays from the sun are becoming more and more intensely hazardous to our skin.
Even people of darker complexions are starting to get skin damage from the sun’s prevailing rays.
The worse thing about sunburn is that most of us don’t know we have it until the harm has already been done.
Therefore, it is good to have something on hand to soothe the skin from negative effects of the sun.
Depending upon your genetics, hormones, skin sensitivity, and what kind of medications you are consuming; it is easy to get burned even after applying sufficient amounts of sunscreen or sun block.
However, there are many home remedies to soothe the skin from intense sun damage. Before applying anything topical, it is always important to wash the area with cold water. Only use white cloths to pat the skin clean, as it reduces the irritation. And never use soap on sunburns, as it may cause farther drying to the skin.
1. Witch Hazel: Apply a generous amount of Witch Hazel directly on damaged skin with a dry, white cloth. You can use cotton balls for smaller regions. Witch Hazel is an amazing astringent with great anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera has been use to correct and soothe skin damage and wound healing since the B.C. times. The aloe plant is the purest form of aloe you can get. Carefully cut ½ inch of the leaf, peel it open so that the juicy parts are exposed, and apply it directly to the damaged skin. However, it is important to test a small portion of undamaged skin for an allergic reaction beforehand.
3. Baking Soda: Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into lukewarm bath water (about the temperature of a baby’s bath water). Soak for about 5 minutes, then get out and air dry. Let the baking soda solution dry into your skin as much as possible.
4. Vinegar: Mix 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar into room temperature bath water. Make sure the water is lukewarm, but tolerable (about the temperature of a baby’s bath water). Soak for about 5-minutes and pat dry with a clean white towel. Similar to Witch Hazel, vinegar is a great astringent and helps to reduce the pain. Never apply vinegar directly on the damaged skin because it will cause farther irritation. Always dilute it when soothing sunburns.
5. Yogurt: Paste on a significant amount of plain yogurt to the irritated areas. Rise in a cool shower and pat dry with a clean white towel. Yogurt helps to soothe the burning.
6. Tea Bags: Take a lukewarm bath and add 3 tea bags. Soak for 5-10 minutes and pat dry with a clean white towel. The tannic acid in tea reduces skins inflammation and relieves the pain. Tea bags are also good to apply directly to the eyes for sunburn of the eye lids and underneath the eyes.
7. Lavender: is the miracle cure for sunburn. If you have some lavender essential oil at home, it is best to use it for sunburns before resorting to any other method because it can prevent peeling later, if used properly. But more importantly, lavender can help keep the tan sometimes lost from peeling. Be careful with lavender essential oils because some are diluted with alcohol, which can cause burning and more drying to the skin. Make sure to select the pure 100% Lavender Essential Oil. When applying first cool and clean the skin with cold water. Then apply the lavender directly to the burn drop by drop. Get a cotton swab and spread it over the entire region. If you have a large area that has been damaged, add 10 drops of lavender to lukewarm bathwater and soak the area. Pat dry with a clean white towel.
Sunburn remedies are not a onetime fix. It is important to repeat the process as needed, based upon the severity of the burn.
Always hydrate the skin with a natural oil or cream like olive oil, or pure Shea butter shortly after treating the burn. When using Shea butter in its natural form it is thick and hard to apply without rubbing. Never rub a sunburn. First you must heat the Shea butter (microwave or stove top) until is liquefies.
According to about.com, see a doctor immediately if there are signs of shock, heat exhaustion, or severe sunburn such as:
- dizziness
- rapid pulse
- rapid breathing
- nausea, fever, or chills
- severe skin blisters
- extreme thirst, diminished/no urine output
- patches of purple discoloration
- intense itching
- spreading of the burned skin patches
Also, be sure to hydrate your body by drinking a lot of water after sun exposure. Water also helps to rehydrate the skin as well.
