Red Alert: How to Soothe Sunburned Skin
Hey!
No matter if you are hiking along the ridge of a high mountain, or wander around some picturesque Mediterranean areas, you need to beware of the sun. But, if you happen to spend too much time exposed to the sun’s rays, and I mean by that when your skin is red and prickles, here are some proven solutions to ease the pain.
What causes sunburn?
This is a classic scenario: it has been long since you felt the sun on your skin last time, or you haven’t gone somewhere sunny for a million years, so you sit on the deckchair for a bit too long. You’re so thrilled that you can show your pale skin to the sun that you forget about applying some SPF. I think I don’t need to carry on coming up with the reasons your skin is burnt by the sun. What’s done is done. Now you need something to bring relief to your red, awfully painful skin.
Mild sunburn = ALOE
It doesn’t matter what color your skin is – it may be sunburnt! This red, hot and sore skin is a kind of inflammation that is caused by UVA and UVB. Even though some skin types are more resistant to the sun’s rays, it doesn’t mean there are some of you who can completely ignore the risk that is brought by overexposure to the sun.
There are four different types of sunburn, ranging from mild redness to flaking and blisters. If you happen to be just slightly affected by the sun, so when the skin is red and feels tight, a pharmacist will surely recommend using a cooling cream enriched with aloe vera. After sun products have a soothing effect and are expected to cool your skin down.
Aloe works great for mild sunburns. You can use a regular aloe gel like Holika Holika. Naturally, steer clear of the sun till the inflammation wears off completely. The point is, if your skin is flushed and red, so don’t add fuel to the fire – don’t go sunbathing the next day.
Severe sunburn = HYDROCORTISONE
In the case of serious skin burn, you need to use more advanced solutions – most dermatologists recommend hydrocortisone. Luckily, is an OCT drug. It’s not big, so it fits in carry-on baggage. And I suggest packing it, especially if you’re going to some foreign country, or a place where it can be hard to find a pharmacy.
How will you know that you need something more than hydrocortisone? When you notice blisters, you should consider seeing a doctor. They will probably give you some medication that you need a prescription for. But before you get to the doctor, do your best to repair the hydro-lipid barrier that was totally destroyed by UV. Apply a moisturizing cream and make sure that no dirt and no bacteria have access to the wound.
How to prevent sunburns
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this applies to sunbathing too. Instead of looking for a cure, better apply some SPF before exposing your body to the sun. Let me just add that SPFs protect the skin from photo-ageing and sun-induced pigmentation spots. I’m just telling you this in case you don’t want your skin to age too fast.
