Best 10 Sunburn Treatments
June 30, 2010 by Perfect Shape
Filed under Fresh Posts, Skin
Sunburn, as the name suggests, is a burn of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun rays.
UV radiation is actually a form of energy that moves at the speed of light. All such energy types are referred to as electromagnetic radiation or simply as light. The name of ultraviolet radiation actually derives from its spectrum with consists of electromagnetic waves with frequencies higher than those that people identify as the colour violet (UV is situated between visible region and X-rays).
Sunburns appear when the amount of exposure to ultraviolet sources (natural or artificial) exceeds our body’s ability to protect the skin thought its protective pigment (melanin). Melanin, a compound found in the human body, is the main determinant of skin colour.
When trying to prevent sunburns, we should not try to calculate a general exposure timeframe. Normal skin colour and the time of exposure are two very important factors that determine how quickly a person is sunburned. Light-skinned persons can get sunburned in less than 20 minutes of exposure to powerful midday rays, while persons with darker skin can tolerate sun rays for hours without any problems.
Although most of us probably had the chance to “experience” sunburns some time in our life and some might not think of them as a real problem, but more like a proof of our summer vacation, we should all consider them as a real skin and health problem.
Some of the health problems caused by sunburns include: premature aging of skin, skin peeling, blisters, wrinkles, keratosis (a thickening of the superficial layer of the skin), skin burns or skin cancer.
Some of the most frequent clues that might let us know if we are near or already exceeded the sun tolerance limit are:
- Rapid pulse
- Feeling dehydrated
- Dizziness, nausea, chills, fever
- Eyes hurting and very sensitive to light
- Looking pale etc.
As for other health problems, is better to prevent sunburns than to treat them. Still, if we were caught off-guard and we suffered sunburns we should know how to treat them. In this respect, I thought it will be interesting to see what home remedies for sunburns we can use:
Apply lotions containing Aloe Vera (plant highly rich in amino acids – 20 of the 22 amino acids, 7 of which cannot be manufactured by the human body; plant sterols – act as powerful anti-inflammatory agents; lignin – substance that allows all plant’s nutrients to penetrate deep into the skin);- Take frequent cool showers and stay in cool rooms to reduce the heat sensation;
- Drink lot of fluids to stay hydrated and accelerate the sunburn treatment
- Vitamins (vitamin E creams – can reduce sunburn damage; increase vitamin C intake to heal sunburns faster – both vitamins have antioxidant effect)
- Make cold chamomile compresses and add extract in your bath
- Use baking soda or oatmeal in your bath
- Use milk compresses or apply yogurt to the damaged skin (one of the best food and home remedy for sunburns)
- Applying slices of cucumber or potatoes can also be used as a sunburn remedy
- Vinegar and olive oil compresses
- Do not touch the blisters formed from sunburn (they are body’s natural protection and can help sunburned skin to heal faster).
Sarah on Wed, 30th Jun 2010 3:14 PM
I always use an Aloe Vera lotion when getting sunburns and it helps my skin recover. Thank you for the interesting post!
Perfect Shape on Wed, 30th Jun 2010 3:50 PM
Thank you for sharing. You are definitely doing the right thing there.
sleep problems on Tue, 20th Jul 2010 12:13 PM
I looked up the aspirin/acetic acid relationship and apparently, there is a relation, as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a chemical created through a combination of acetic acid and salicylic acid.
Perfect Shape on Tue, 20th Jul 2010 6:34 PM
Aspirin could be a solution to treat headaches provoked by sunburns.
sleep problems on Wed, 21st Jul 2010 5:15 AM
It has aloe vera in it but it also has a ton of other herbs in it. I really like it and it works better than a Ibuprofen and aloe vera alone. I bought it online. Good stuff
Perfect Shape on Mon, 2nd Aug 2010 12:12 PM
I also tried it and it does wonders.
sleep problems on Tue, 3rd Aug 2010 7:31 AM
If you think you’re in danger of burning but don’t want to pack it up, move into the shade and put on some light, loose clothing. A wide-brimmed hat will protect your face and neck.
cosmetic surgery devon on Fri, 11th Feb 2011 3:03 AM
Aloe-vera works for me as well. Also for mild sunburns, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water will do. I have tried it so many times and it worked for me.
Melissa @ cancer hats on Fri, 18th Feb 2011 1:49 PM
Thank you for sharing this. I see aloe vera everywhere around these parts. But I don’t even give them a second glance anymore because they’re so common . I didn’t know they give plenty of benefits. I will be researching other benefits and other uses of aloe vera too.
sunburn treatments on Mon, 25th Apr 2011 4:49 PM
Aloe-vera is my go to solution for helping my sunburns. I always take a bottle to the beach with me. It feels a little sticky after putting it on, but the cooling it does is so worth it.
MrPitBull on Mon, 23rd May 2011 7:27 PM
Fortunately I don’t burn easy because to my skin tone. Yet, when out on the beach or mowing the lawn I know I will benefit by applying some of your suggestions; thanks.
healthyMom on Wed, 1st Jun 2011 4:55 PM
I wanted to share my sunburn experience. I was kayaking on a sunny 73 degree day in Hawaii – beautiful! I didn’t think I’d be out as long as I was so I got burned. I also underestimated the reflection of the water as I bought my kayak last September and kayaked short trips on partly cloudy days.
I was recommend to use the Made from Earth Pure Aloe Vera Skin Treatment whenever i have been in the sun. It made the burn feel so much better without the gross, sticky feeling that you get from plain aloe which comes like a gel.
If i have a painful sunburn, i will put this on multiple times in one day and it seems to make it go away much quicker, and more likely to turn into a tan. I also use it when i haven’t been on the sun. I think it’s a great lotion for normal use and if my skin gets dry, its a great moisturizer.
kati on Tue, 28th Jun 2011 2:28 AM
Nutrapelle is the best sunburn relief lotion I have found. It is an aloe based lotion with vitamin e oil, olive oil, grape
seed oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil. It not only relieves the pain and sting instantly but it heals and cools the temperature of the skin allowing it to recover with out trapping the heat in like most lotions. My skin turned to a beautiful tan without peeling. I use it every day! nutrapelle.com they ship it right away