8 Natural Remedies to Soothe a Sunburn
*This is a guest post by Jennifer D’souza.
Relaxing under the sun with light: a book and a refreshing drink is everyone’s favorite. However, along with all those hours spent outdoors under the sun during the summer season, there usually comes one Sunburn: thing: Sunburn. Sunburn happens if you forget to apply and reapply a sunscreen with good SPF power throughout the day. So the along with point to avoid harsh sunburns is to remember applying sunscreen. Despite health warnings about sun damage, many of us still subject our skin to the sun’s burning rays.
What Causes Sunburn:- Sun gives off three wavelengths of ultraviolet light:-
· UVA
· UVB
· UVC
UVC doesn’t reach the earth’s surface as the ozone layer present in the atmosphere prevent the UV rays from reaching the earth. The other two types of UV light not only reach your skin, but they penetrate your skin and ultimately cause skin damage and Sunburn.
Beginning of Sunburn depends on three things:-
· Skin Type
· Sun’s intensity
· Duration for which your skin is exposed to the sun
Fortunately, some natural home remedies are there to treat the Sunburn and itching, burning and peeling it cause. So let’s discuss them one by one:-
· Cool – Sunburn causes inflammation of skin the and cold water helps to cool down the sunburned area immediately. Timely exposure to cold water (with no chlorine as it will cause further irritation on the affected area) during a hot day may help you to reduce the effects of Sunburn. You should also avoid directly applying ice while your skin is burning. Even though it may look very appealing, it could cause more damage.
· Coconut oil:- Coconut oil is known for it’s healing properties. Using coconut oil is for sunburn is better than applying any sunscreen as it may have chemicals and cause side effects. Coconut oil helps to treat Sunburn in many ways:-
1. This oil speeds up the regrowth of skin cells. Not just that, it also provides a cooling sensation.
2. Sunburn leave sunspots, wrinkles and cause permanent discoloration of the skin. Coconut oil prevents wrinkles by improving the elasticity of the skin. Coconut oil has antioxidants that prevent discoloration and the appearance of sunspots.
3. The application of coconut oil for Sunburn can avoid flaking skin and blistering. You can apply coconut oil directly on your skin and massage it softly with no excessive pressure and harsh rubbing. Apart from using pure coconut oil for sunburn treatment, you can also mix it with other ingredients like bath oils, tea tree oils, almond oil, lavender oil, castor oil, and honey for better results.
· Hyaluronic Acid Serum:- Hyaluronic acid is a natural component which is a very effective treatment for Sunburn. Hyaluronic acid is the skin’s natural hydration. Hyaluronic acid can help pump and moisturize dried, sunburned skin. Pure hyaluronic acid serum provides a soothing effect on the affected area and form a protective layer over the surface and promotes healing by preventing dehydration.
· Soda Bath:- Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is an excellent substance that can give you quick relief. You can mix baking soda with lukewarm water and dab this water on sunburned skin. You can moisturize your skin after bathing and drying.
· Aloe Vera:- Aloe vera gel is used for centuries for all sorts of ailments, from upset stomachs, infections and for sunburns. Directly applying aloe vera gel on the affected skin area will provide soothing and immediate relief. You can also use pure aloe vera gel if you don’t have a plant at home.
· White Vinegar:- An infected sunburn is worse than a sunburn. To help relieve pain, inflammation, and infection – you can apply white vinegar to the affected area. White vinegar is composed of acetic acid. It can help ease anxiety, inflammation, and avoid any further infection.
· Greek Yogurt:- Greek yogurt have lactic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and used to soothe and moisturize sunburned skin. Greek yogurt is more strained and has a higher concentration of probiotics. The application of probiotics decreases skin sensitivity and redness.
· Vitamins:- Consuming and applying Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E will help you to treat sunburned skin. Mixing Vitamin E capsules with apple cider vinegar, aloe vera gel, and almond oil will provide a soothing and cooling sensation. Also try to eat strawberries, citrus fruits like oranges and blueberries as they have a high amount of Vitamin C.
Apart from these remedies, some other precautions are:-
● Moisturizing your skin daily is essential for a quick and full recovery.
● Keeping your skin clean, disinfected from the skin.
● Apply cold creams to keep skin dry and relieved from pain and stinging.
● Drink plenty of water and other fluids to stop dehydration.
● Use sunscreen frequently. Reapply sunscreen after every 2 hours.
● Wear the right clothes i.e., loose and long-sleeved shirts and pants. Wear caps or hats to avoid sunburning of the face.
● Avoid the sun as far as possible. Avoid stepping out, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you can’t stay indoors during this block of time, try to be under shade.
● Healing sunburn will take time and patience. It’s not an overnight process. Try not to touch the sunburned area as it may worsen the situation.
Jennifer is a proficient writer who firmly believes in the age-old remedies and holistic medicine as a primary cure for several diseases. After graduating she embarked on a journey to find the truth about holistic and natural remedies.
