13 Fast Ways to Treat Sunburn and Reduce Redness at Home
-
Loading... - Brigitte Martin
- 21 Jul 2022
- 118 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
It's probably happened to most of us at some time or another: We get a little careless with the SPF and miss a spot, or we don't have someone with us to hit that unreachable spot on our backs, or we smooth sunscreen on our arms but forget to do our shoulders when we whip off our t-shirt to go swimming. And then, yow: evening comes and our skin is getting redder and redder, and oh-so-sore. And a few days later, we look in the mirror and see super-unattractive peeling skin, or icky-looking blisters.
The bad news: While the color may eventually fade, a sunburn causes lasting damage. "It's difficult to make sunburn go away.
"It is literally a toxic injury to the skin that requires time for healing as the cells regenerate. It's also important to remember that although the rash of the sunburn may fade, the damage lasts a lifetime, sometimes doubling the risk of skin cancer with just one burn. Judicious sun protection year round is an essential part of skin health."
When you get repeated exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun's rays, it increases your risk of skin cancer, as Dr. Gohara points out. Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person's chance of developing melanoma.
At particular risk of skin cancer are those who burn easily; people with blond or red hair; those who use tanning beds or who have gotten lots of sun exposure; or people who have a weakened immune system. But skin cancer can affect people of all skin tones; in fact, it's often diagnosed later in people with darker skin tones, because it can be harder to spot.
Sunburns also add to premature aging, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF). Says Dr. Gohara, "Sunburn can cause increased freckling and uneven skin tone long term, hyperpigmentation, and free radical damage, which wreaks cosmetic havoc on the skin— these pesky little chemical particles weaken collagen, ultimately accelerating premature aging."
The good news: When it comes to promoting the healing and easing the ouch of a sunburn, there are plenty of home remedies you can try. Keep reading to learn how you can make that redness go away faster, plus some of top-tested sunscreens from the Good Housekeeping
Institute that will save your skin the next time around.
How to get rid of sunburn on your face and body fast:
1. Take a cool bath or shower.
Keep the temp low and then lather on moisturizer as soon as you get out, the AAD advises. The cool H20 may help ease the pain and reduce the inflammation caused by the sunburn, and the lotion will help trap moisture and make your skin feel and look less dry. The SCF suggests avoiding harsh soap, which can further irritate the skin.
2. Apply aloe.
There's a reason why it's the go-to after-sun product. Pure aloe vera gel — whether out of a bottle or straight from the plant — contains cooling and soothing properties. It can also potentially promote wound healing, according to the Mayo Clinic. And in test tube studies, the aloe plant has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Use an ice pack or compress.
Wrap ice in a cloth before applying it directly to your skin, or soak a washcloth in cold water or milk and place that on the burn. The vitamins and antioxidants in milk can help your skin heal.
4. Drink lots of water.
A sunburn draws fluid to the skin and away from the rest of the body, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Rehydrate by downing plenty of H20, or a low-sugar drink that has electrolytes. (Don't try to hydrate by swigging margaritas, though; alcohol can make the problem worse.) Read More...
