Sunburn is one of the most common summer dilemmas. It can make you hate the beach and force you to stay indoors. However, sunburn can happen any time of the year. It occurs when the skin is exposed to excessive amounts of UV light. Exposure to UV rays will increase the production of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment of the skin that makes it darker, this is what happens when you get a tan. The tanner you get, the more melanin pigment you produce. This also applies on skin tone, people with naturally dark skin have more melanin and people with light skin have less. The amount of melanin in your body will dictate how dark you can get. It is formed by the skin to create a protective layer on the skin. This will help guard the skin from harmful UV rays. Regarding skin tones, people that have darker skin are more protected from the sun and are less likely to get sunburn; since they have more melanin. So, if you have light skin, try to avoid staying under the sun too long, or you will end up damaging your skin cells.
It’s always best to prevent sunburn before it happens, but there will come a time that it will happen. Avoid the irritating, peeling, and red skin with this easy natural home remedy.
Natural Home Remedies:
Cold Shower or Bath
Before leaving for work a lot about 15 minutes or more to a cold shower or bath. This will allow your skin to cool off and lessen the pain and irritation that you will feel throughout the day. Soaking your skin in something cold will lessen the redness and stinging sensation. Keep your skin cool by wearing clothes that are thin and soft. Clothes that can cause mild abrasion on the skin will cause further irritation.
Cold Compress
If the stinging feeling is starting to get in the way of your sleep get a cold compress and place it on the affected area. Leave it on for as long as you like. Keep yourself dry when you sleep by using a frozen damped sponged wrapped in a zip lock bag. This will keep your sunburn cool, without creating a mess.
Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Apple Cider Vinegar is great for removing harmful bacteria from the skin and help improve the alkaline and acid balance of the skin. This will help give your skin some soothing relief and protection throughout the day. This soak will help balance out the pH levels of your skin and promote healing. Draw a cold bath for yourself and mix in a cup or two of apple cider vinegar. Soak in this mixture for fifteen to thirty minutes and rinse with cold water.
Oatmeal Soak
This has been an old wives tale sunburn remedy. This remedy has been passed down from generation for a reason. It is highly effective! Oatmeal can help relieve skin from itch and irritation. The components of oatmeal can help dry up or remove bacteria from sunburn and help it to heal faster. Oatmeal will help moisturize and exfoliate the skin without causing further irritation on the burn. Simply draw yourself a bath, pour in two to three cups of oatmeal in the bath and mix it. Wait for about ten minutes before entering the bath. Soak in this mixture for half an hour, rinse with cold water. Pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
Aloe Vera Ice Cubes
Aloe Vera is the most common cure for sunburn. Use lotions that contain Aloe Vera to help moisturize and soothe the skin. You can amp up the benefits of Aloe Vera by creating Aloe Vera Ice Cubes. Take fresh Aloe Vera Juice and mix it with equal parts water. Place this mixture in an ice tray and freeze it for a few hours. Once the mixture turns into ice cubes, use it to rub on your skin. This will give a cooling effect on the skin while numbing the pain. Aloe Vera contains lidocaine a known anesthetic that can relive the pain from sunburn
Sunburn is one of those conditions wherein prevention is a better choice than the aftermath. Irritated skin, peeling and the stinging feeling for weeks is not worth that hour of unprotected tanning. There will always be a time where you will get a sunburn from simple activities. Walking your dog, doing errands or working a field job can give you sunburn no matter how meticulous you are about your skin care regimen. This especially applies for people with sensitive skin. Sunburn is an ailment that you can easily cure at home. Easy to find ingredients and quick recipes can save you a penny. Try out these natural home remedies the next time your skin gets scorched by the sun.
