Ask a beauty nerd about ‘Sunburn’ and she will immediately have a panic attack. Why, you ask? Well, it is known that too much fun in the sun is not good, especially when you’re trying to be a brave heart sans sunscreen or sun-protective accessories. As cool as it may seem, you need to remember that by exposing your skin to the sun, you are inviting sun damage. And if you aren’t careful, it may turn into a nasty sunburn.
What is a sunburn?
It is a reaction of the skin to the UV rays. The sun produces UV radiation that causes the DNA in the skin cells to change. Melanin, a skin pigment that protects the skin from sun damage, defends the skin by rising to the surface and darkening the unprotected exposed skin. That is where you get tan from.
Sunburn is inflammatory and causes redness, blisters, and peeling of the skin. Sunburn can heal if you take timely protection but at times some cells mutate which cannot be reversed. This could turn cancerous.
There are a million things you can do to cool and heal the burn and hasten up the healing process.
Cool water to the rescue
An easy way to treat sunburn is to treat it to cool water. If you’re outside, like a beach or a lakeside picnic, then take a dip in the lake or ocean. This will help keep the sunburn in check. Avoid chlorinated water and avoid applying ice, however tempting it may sound. Ice reduces blood flow to the affected area which can reverse the process of healing.
Milk helps
Milk is great. It not only has nutrients to nourish you from within but it also helps reduce sunburns. Milk is loaded with Vitamin A and D which are antioxidants that speed up the healing process. It also contains naturally-occurring Lactic Acid that helps exfoliate dead skin cells and also soothes the skin. Apply cold milk for best results.
Slather on aloe
Sunburns and aloe are a match made in heaven. It’s alright if you don’t have an Aloe plant, you can use an Aloe gel too. Aloe Vera is packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin-protective qualities that help soothe sunburn and heal it too. Aloe is a natural humectant which means it traps moisture when applied and keeps the skin moisturized.
Drink water
When you get sunburned, it means the sun’s damage causes loss of moisture. What you need to do is replenish your skin and replace the lost moisture by hydrating it. It is essential to drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day.
Apply moisturizer
After your skin begins to heal, it will still need a lot of TLC. Don’t forget to slather on a moisturizer to keep it moisturized and nourished. Choose a natural, fragrance-free moisturizer so as not to irritate your skin too much.
Sunburns are nasty and painful, exactly why we have listed our favourite summer products to ensure you don’t get sunburned and enjoy the summer in all its glory. Check these out!
1. Lacto Calamine Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 Pa+++
A broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB rays.
2. Lakme Sun Expert After Sun Cooling Gel
A cooling gel that refreshes and soothes the skin post-sun exposure.
If your skin feels uncomfortable post a trip in the sun, try this Aloe soothing gel before it gets nasty.
4. Parachute Advansed Deep Nourish Body Lotion
Enriched with Coconut Milk to nourish and hydrate the skin during summer.
5. Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Detan After-Sun Face Pack
Say goodbye to sun tans with this nourishing face pack.
And lastly, quick tips on how to prevent sunburn.
- Apply sunscreen, even if it is cloudy. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, even if you’re sweating or swimming.
- Try not stepping out when the sun is overhead, like scorching afternoons.
- Even if you step out, try staying in the shade.
- Wear a hat that covers your neck and face. Don’t forget your sunglasses.
Keep these super useful tips in mind to maximise your summer. But remember, if the sunburn doesn’t heal within a couple of days, do visit a dermatologist. Stay sun safe, stay healthy and enjoy the summer vibes!
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