REDUCING SUNBURN
Summer is in full bloom now and many people spend increasingly more time at the beach or simply outside, therefore increasing the chances of getting sunburn. Of course, we all know by now about the UV protection lotions and such and I am sure many of us use it regularly. However, if, in spite all these precautions, you still manage to get burnt, here are some tips for reducing the inflammation and burn:
- Use cool (not too cold) milk compresses. The proteins in milk protect the skin from water evaporation. It will ease your skin and take the sting away as well as provide moisture for the healing enzymes to start working.
- For a few first days, use a topical product (lotion or gel) with aloe. Its anti-inflammatory properties help heal and soothe the burnt skin.
- Take anti-inflammatory drug (e.g. ibuprofen) as it reduces the inflammation of a burnt skin.
- Drink plenty of green tea or pomegranate juice. They contain anti-oxidants (help lessen some of the UV damage) as well as calming anti-inflammatory effects.
- Pack on anti-oxidants, especially in natural form, such as fruit and vegetables (e.g. berries; they are in season now so take advantage even if you didn’t get the sunburn!)
- Remember about topical anti-oxidants, such as facial moisturizers and body lotions. An increasing number of manufacturers add powerful anti-oxidants to their products so take advantage and include them in your daily regiment. And for your burnt skin, they will definitely speed up the healing process.
- When your skin begins to peel, use plenty of moisturizers (at least three times a day). And do not peel the skin off since it can aggravate the peeling! Let it come off naturally.
- Do not use retinoids, glycolic acids, salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acids) or exfoliating products until your skin heals completely (that is all the peeling has stopped).
And after you have healed, make sure to take necessary precautions in order to avoid another burn by using a broad-spectrum sun block (one that blocks both UVA and UVB sun rays) and reapplying it often. You can still enjoy the sun and not get serious skin damage but you must be smart about it. So go ahead, have fun in the sun and keep your skin healthy and beautiful!