Monday, February 7, 2011

Treating A Sunburn

It's always vital to wear sunscreen everytime you soak under the sun. Did you know that getting 6 sunburns in your lifetime will increase your chances of developing melanoma? - and it's by 50%!

If you start feeling a sting, sensitivity or tenderness on your skin while outside, you're burning. Cover your skin immediately and get out of the sun.

Soothe the sunburn with washcloth soaked in cold black tea to cool it off. The tea's tannic acid calms inflammation. Avoid sunburn-relief sprays containing benzocaine because it can cause rash. Spread aloe-vera gel instead on the area. You can take aspirin or ibuprofen as well.

Drink a lot of water every hour until the severe redness subsides, since your body loses a lot of fluids when you're burned. It's also highly recommended to stay out of the sun for 2 days because your skin will more likely to burn again.

When your skin begins to peel, moisturize it with something basic like Aquaphor for at least twice a day. Never peel the skin nor use a body scrub no matter how tempting it maybe. After the area is healed, put lotion that has antioxidants like idebenone or CoffeeBerry. These help stop cellular damage.

0 comments: