Best 10 Sunburn Treatments

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:

1. 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);
2. Take frequent cool showers and stay in cool rooms to reduce the heat sensation;
3. Drink lot of fluids to stay hydrated and accelerate the sunburn treatment
4. Vitamins (vitamin E creams – can reduce sunburn damage; increase vitamin C intake to heal sunburns faster – both vitamins have antioxidant effect)
5. Make cold chamomile compresses and add extract in your bath
6. Use baking soda or oatmeal in your bath
7. Use milk compresses or apply yogurt to the damaged skin (one of the best food and home remedy for sunburns)
8. Applying slices of cucumber or potatoes can also be used as a sunburn remedy
9. Vinegar and olive oil compresses
10. Do not touch the blisters formed from sunburn (they are body’s natural protection and can help sunburned skin to heal faster).

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10 Steps for a Perfect Tan

During summer season white colour does not seem to be any more suitable for our skin. By using natural or artificial rays or products, we are all searching for the perfect tan.

You may go for tanning the skin, but just remember that you must be careful about the harmful effects of sun rays. Your skin may get tanned, but you may develop side-effects like wrinkles, skin cancer or other severe skin related problems. Ultraviolet rays are very harmful to human skin and continuous exposure without any precaution can really damage your skin.

Just have a look at the following 10 simple steps and you will see how to get a perfect tan and keep your skin healthy:

1. It is better to exfoliate the skin before you start tanning. In this process, you will have to use an abrasive skin cleanser or sponge to rub off and remove the dead cells. Once the new, fresh skin gets exposure, you will get an even tan and avoid excessive burning.
2. It is very much essential to moisturize the skin before applying any tanning product. Focus on those areas where your skin may be dry or thick and apply in those areas. The areas of skin which are generally dry or thick are ankles, knees, elbows and the side of your wrists. If your skin is an oily type, you must avoid oil based moisturizers.
3. In order to avoid skin damage, you must choose the proper tanning product. It will be better if you use the sunless tanning lotion as it can give a natural tanning effect. These products need to be applied in a light and even manner as it will help the tan appear natural.
4. After giving exposure to the sun for the whole day, you must take a bath in cool water and apply some moisturizer after that. This will help your skin’s pores to close and it can help your skin glow and look healthier.
5. It is advisable to apply sunscreen and some anti wrinkle creams at the time of taking the tan. Do not think of them as obstacles for tanning, but as objects of protection from the powerful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Such creams will reduce the risk of burning and peeling and will prevent your tan from being uneven and splotchy.
6. Another common mistake is that people choose the wrong shade for their skin. Most women choose a wrong shade while choosing their self tanning lotion. If your skin is of fair type, just remember to choose the lightest possible shade and you must choose a medium skinned one if you have got skin of medium type. It is better to apply the skin tanning lotion after cleaning off the dead cells. The results will be better if it is applied on the new, fresh skin.
7. Before going for a perfect tan, it is always advisable to go for a clean shave. It will be very easy to apply the tanning lotion on the smooth skin and in the long run, your tan will also look smooth and natural. You will look more attractive in a clean shaven, glowing, and tanned skin.
8. You must be careful of the level of application of the tanning lotion. It is advisable to use it sparingly in a thin layer as it will then help to prevent the streaks and uneven blotches, which are a tell-tale sign of a fake tan. It will also prevent your skin from getting discoloured or too dark. But do not repeat the same procedure to the areas of the skin which has got thick layer.
9. After putting on the lotion, allow the skin to get dried completely and you must put on the clothes once the drying process is complete. You should also avoid any sort of strenuous activity or hard work for at least one hour after applying the sun tanning lotion. Any strenuous activity will lead to sweating as it will spoil the tan and result in steaks, which are really damaging to your skin.
10. If you do not follow the above steps, your skin may get spoiled in the long run and your looks will change if the skin on your face gets affected. In that case, you will have no option but to go for cosmetic plastic surgery.

Hopefully you will find this information useful and remember that the sun should always be an ally, not an enemy for our skin.

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3 Skin Care Solutions to Try Out This Summer

During summer season we tend to be more and more concerned about our looks and especially our skin. In the search for the perfect skin and the perfect tan we sometimes resort to solutions that can prove to be more harmful than beneficial for our skin or health in general. So, when looking for a skin care solution, please don’t start using any product or treatment until you really read all the facts about them.

In this post, I thought it will be useful to focus on 3 common skin care solutions: sunblock, facial peels and Eczema cures. Let us have a glance at what these are about and how they can be used to care of your skin.

1. Sunblock

Using a sun block is very important especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. From youngsters to elders, we all need sunscreen products that should be selected considering age, skin type, purpose (daily use, intensive use) etc. Children for example, need a regular replenishment of sunscreen because they may either rub it or sweat it off after some time. Sweat-proof and water-proof sunscreens give kids durable protection during summer, when they play outdoor sports or swim.

During summer time, you should remember that the skin takes a thrashing by the hot sun. When the sweating increases, the skin loses its ability to protect itself from harmful UV rays (responsible for the painful condition of sunburn and other damaging effects on the human health). Even while you are using a high SPF sunscreen, the humidity and sweat can break the sunscreen and put you at risk.

Here are some tips for getting a good sunscreen:

1. Use sunscreens made keeping sports-use in mind – these offer exceptional and enduring sun protection for your skin;
2. Use highly water resistant and sweat resistant products, as they usually have better sunscreen durability;
3. Non-comedogenic and lightweight, lotions do well by not clogging pores or running into your eyes and causing pain;
4. Try to select a sunscreen with high SPF that offers protection for a broad-spectrum.

2. Facial Peel

In general, facial peeling can be defined as the chemical, cosmetic treatment performed by a skin specialist to lessen blemishes, light scarring, age spots, and other facial skin faults. Facial peels help in reducing wrinkles and reviving skin damaged due to sun exposure.

Creams for facial peels can be bought at drugstores or beauty shops. The cream is applied to the face and left for some minutes to work, and then it is scrubbed or rinsed off. There is a chance of allergic reactions with facial peel creams, so always test on a small patch of skin before you proceed. If you want a deeper peel, you can get guidance from a dermatologist to get referred to a professional plastic surgeon.

3. Eczema Cure

Eczema is a skin irritation distinguished by flaky, red skin that has tiny blisters or cracks sometimes. Usually, getting rid of the Eczema causes or the source of the allergy is the best way of treating Eczema. The following are some of the treatments you can try for Eczema cures:

1. Clean the place with a hypoallergenic soap and apply an emollient over the topical steroid;
2. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) can be taken in pill form to reduce itching. Remember, taking Diphenhydramine may make you excessively drowsy for a brief period;
3. You can apply a (1% hydrocortisone) non-prescription steroid cream. The cream must be applied as regularly as possible without skipping until the rash disappears.

Apart from taking treatments, you should also avoid stress. See that you have a healthy diet and get good sleep. This will help you be healthy and prevent flares from appearing. And have patience; you may not get a quick response sometimes. Also, bear in mind that going that extra mile when referring to researching for the right skin care solution will always turn to your advantage.

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5 Products to Avoid for a Healthy Skin

The basic nutrition rules are also valid for the aspect of our skin. Color, texture and tonus of the skin are all the result of constant consumption of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids etc. It doesn’t matter how many creams and lotions we use if we eat improper. So…what we eat is written on our skin!

Here are 5 of the most damaging products for our skin:

1. Sugar

Sugar makes you look older. It doesn’t only make you fat, but also destroys important elements within our bodies. Most vulnerable to such damage are collagen and elastin fibres, which keep our skin firm and elastic – making it look fresh and young. When we consume food products containing sugar (like chocolate, candies, juices etc.), the sugar molecules in our bloodstream stick to protein fibres (collagen and elastin), modifying their form and properties. When damaged, collagen and elastin transform from elastic fibres to dry and easily breakable ones. Also, such modified molecules can deactivate body’s natural antioxidant enzymes with protect the body from sun damage, which also has an important contribution to skin aging process.

2. Milk

Although this might sound strange, you must know that it is true. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of milk on our skin. One of the most important finding was that there is a positive connection between milk intake (both total and skim) and acne. Researchers believe that this is the effect of hormones and other bioactive molecules within milk. As hormones and other stimulating chemicals are more and more used in the feeding process of cows, this problem will probably persist in the future.

3. Alcohol

When consumed in moderation, some alcoholic drinks (mainly wine) might have a positive effect on our health. Still, another effect of alcohol is blood vessel dilatation in the skin. Excessive consumption of alcohol will lead to a chronic dilation of capillaries causing problems for the skin. It is believed that alcohol also makes acne worse.

4. Processed meat

Such food products contain nitrites, fats, salt and other ingredients that damage the skin. One of the worst ingredient is sodium nitrate (used as a preservative for processed meat) which is also believed to cause several types of cancer.

5. Hydrogenated vegetable oil

Such oil is found in significant quantities in margarine, cooking oil, baked products etc. The hydrogenation process of vegetable oil is responsible for the destruction of all nutritional value of original oil. This process creates a mixture of unnatural fats (most of which are trans fatty acids) with have a devastating effect on our health. Such fats cause heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and also damage the immune system. Also, obesity is another effect, which as we all know if becoming a very serious problem nowadays. Being overweight can cause many serious skin problems due to hormone changes. Some of these problems are: stretch marks due to skin stretching; increased strain of leg veins can cause swellings, varicose veins and fluid retention; the extra weight will cause feet to develop problems like calluses and corns; finally, skin rashes and infections might develop due to the growth of bacteria within the body, which in turn is caused by the extra moisture retained in the body.

All the skin problems mentioned above can be avoided with a healthy life style and a well balanced diet. Some of the most important nutrients that contribute to a healthy skin are:

1. Zinc (found in eggs, nuts, oats, oysters, pecans)
2. Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish)
3. Silica (found in green beans, mango, cucumber, strawberries etc.)
4. Vitamin C and E (found in: C – broccoli, oranges, lemons, apples, blackberries etc. and E – seeds, tomatoes, asparagus, whole grains etc.)

I hope the information included in this article will be useful for you and hopefully you will not forget that – What we eat is how we look!!!

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