Summer is fast approaching us this year, it’s like we blinked and it’s already May! With that in mind, the season to be outside whether for travel or leisure is upon us. With that comes the responsibility of taking care of our skin. You only get one skin, it’s important to take care of it! Accidents happen though and forgetting your sunscreen isn’t the end of the world. Sunburn can be really painful, but there are some things you can do to ease sunburn discomfort.
How can you ease sunburn?
How to Ease Sunburn
No matter if you forgot to put on the sunscreen, or you did and still got burnt, there are some relief tips out there for you. If you try to ease sunburn and your symptoms worsen or do not go away, you may have sun poisoning in which case it is a good idea to see your personal doctor. However, for the mild case of sunburn, there are plenty of home remedies and tips to get you back on your feet in no time.
Healing Tips
Cool the skin
Sunburn makes your skin very hot to the touch, which can add to the dryness of the skin. Apply some aloe vera gel to your skin- this will cool off the affected area which not only helps to heal but will also give you a sense of physical relief. Try to also leave the area exposed to the air conditioning as much as you can. This will help release the excess heat from your body, cooling your skin off and allowing the cells to repair themselves easier. If at all possible, try to take cooler showers than normal as well. The extra heat is not good for the healing process your skin is going through.
Don’t peel, moisturize
Our bodies naturally try to heal themselves, so picking and peeling at burns will disrupt the body’s natural healing process. Use products with aloe and cocoa butter. Cocoa butter melts at the skin’s temperature, which allows the moisture to soak in at a natural pace. Peeling off the skin might be satisfying, however, it will only increase the healing time your body needs. While it’s very tempting, think of how good your skin will look after all those layers of aloe and lotion! You’ll forget all about your urge to peel.
Take a pain reliever
If you are experiencing swelling or redness, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Not only do these medications reduce pain, but they can also speed up the recovery process. Once again, if the swelling does not go away within a few days, please see a medical care provider as you might have sun poisoning- a more serious condition than sunburn.
Stay hydrated
Sunburn dries out not only the outside of the skin but the inside as well. Keeping yourself hydrated will allow more water to be retained within your cells, helping to speed up your body’s natural healing process. Drink plenty of water to help replenish your body’s fluids. If you are outside and sweating a lot, it also might be beneficial to drink a sports drink or flavored water that contains electrolytes such as Gatorade or Powerade. Electrolytes are charged ions that help your muscles move properly. Without them, you may experience symptoms such as muscle cramps, fatigue, and more.
Take your vitamins
Vitamin E is great to take every day, but it is especially important to boost your intake when healing from sunburn. Vitamin E helps skin retain its natural moisturizers, in addition to reducing redness and swelling. There are lots of different foods that are high in Vitamin E, but just eating healthier, in general, will help boost your immune system, thus speeding up the healing process.
Protect healing skin
Avoid sun exposure as much as possible—wear hats and tightly woven clothing. Also, before bed, sprinkle baby powder on your sheets to alleviate discomfort and reduce chafing.
Do you have any tips for healing your sunburn fast? Let us know in the comments below!
