What’s red and dry and peeling? If that’s your skin this summer, thanks to some poorly applied sunblock or too much fun in the sun. Who doesn’t love a day at the beach, soaking in the sun and getting the much-needed Vitamin D. While proper sun protection can help prevent burning, excess sunshine can still get the better of us.
“When we think of a burn, we think of heat. But it is not the sun’s heat that burns our skin. That’s why you can still get sunburned when the weather is cold”, says Saira George, an MD Anderson Cancer Centre Dermatologist. Sunburns are caused by ultraviolet radiation – or UV rays - causing skin damage.
When UV rays penetrate the outer layers of the skin to find their way into the deeper layers, they damage the skin cells and cause mutations. Nevertheless, lucky for us, our bodies have a lot of incredible mechanisms to inhibit and even correct these mutations. But if the skin cells get more UV exposure than they can handle (which is why Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!), the damage could be beyond repair when the cells die. Blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow to the skin so that the immune cells can help clean up the mess; all of which causes swelling, redness and inflammation we associate with sunburn.
Let’s get to the most important question surrounding this topic, shall we?
Well, the truth is that there is no simple way to undo sun damage yet, it is important to begin treating it as soon as you notice it. And, there are ways you can prevent it by being sun-safe, avoiding it but also soothing the effects of sunburn by taking a peek in your kitchen. Yes, you heard that right. If the sun did a number on you, the good news is you probably have some of the best home remedies lying in your kitchen, pantry, and fridge just waiting to help you out with quick, soothing relief from sunburn.
The first step is to get the heat out – the longer the heat remains in a burn, the more damage and inflammation you are going to experience. So, a cold shower or pouring cold water directly onto the sunburn is the easiest way to feel relief. Rubbing some ice cubes directly on the burn or wrapped in a cloth can also be a great way to bring down the redness and soothe the itching.
Hello, Aloe! If you are looking to expedite the healing process, nothing will work faster than the good-old Aloe Vera. It is one of the most effective home remedies for sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Be sure to use pure aloe vera gel extract straight from the plant to avoid any alcohol and/or dyes that may be present in a store-bought one. Another effective way you could use Aloe Vera to treat sunburn is by making Aloe ice cubes!
Method – Take a bowl of freshly extracted aloe vera gel, add this into an ice cube tray and pop it into the freezer. Once the ice cubes are formed, you can apply them directly to the affected areas.
A colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal ground into a fine powder) bath can ease painful sunburns with its anti-inflammatory properties and treat eczema, say, dermatologists. For a severe, full-body burn, oatmeal can be a lifesaver because it reduces the urge to itch. There are two ways you can use it to treat sunburns.
Method - To draw an oatmeal bath, grind 1 cup of unflavoured oats in a food processor, and add them to two cups of warm water. Dissolve until milky and it’s ready to use. Add the oat mixture to the bath and soak the entire body for 20 minutes.
For the paste, grind half a cup of unflavoured oats into fine powder. Add the powder to ¼ cup of raw milk and ½ a tablespoon of honey (optional). Mix the paste well and apply on to affected areas for 20 minutes.
There is a reason dairy products make such a popular choice for DIY home remedies. The fat, protein, and pH in dairy have a calming effect on the skin. And the colder they are, the better they help restrict blood vessels and reduce swelling and redness.
Method – Soak clean towels/tissues in equal parts raw milk, water, and ice cubes. Apply the cloth directly to the burned area for five minutes. Repeat two to three times.
Take plain, unflavoured curd straight out of the refrigerator. Apply it to the burns and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water and do it daily until the pain and redness subside.
Cucumbers aren’t just a spa staple because of their refreshing taste, it is also one of the most cooling DIY home remedies that come in handy with sunburns. They are known to be rich in natural botanical compounds that have both antioxidant and analgesic properties which makes them a great ingredient to help relieve discomfort and alleviate the burn. So feel free to apply this all over your body if need be and don’t worry about any side effects.
Method – Take a peeled cucumber, and blend until you get a smooth paste. Transfer the puree to a mesh strainer to separate the juice. Apply the juice evenly to the affected areas.
You can also make cucumber ice cubes. *Repeat the same recipe from the Aloe ice cubes with cucumbers.
We are all aware of the skin brightening properties of potatoes but how many of us know that the starch present in potatoes can help take the sting out of a burn. It makes for a great natural pain reliever and is very effective to prevent skin blistering and peeling. For a quick soothing solution, simply rub chilled and peeled potato slices on your skin.
Method – To make a paste, take a peeled potato and blend until you get a smooth paste. Strain the juice and apply it evenly to the skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes or until the juice has completely dried.
Full of tannic acid, these herbs not only soothe sore throats but can also ease sunburn pain. If you are suffering from a face burn, you can apply the used and cooled tea bags on your eyes and face for instant relief. So hold on to that teabag!
Method – Brew 5 – 7 bags of tea in a pot of water. Once it cools down, soak a towel in the tea and apply it to the skin for up to 30 minutes.
Bonus Tip: It’s going to sound repetitive and cliché, but hydrate like crazy! Always drink plenty of H2O after you get sunburnt. It helps rehydrate the skin and fight inflammation and peeling faster than any of the methods above. You’ve got to cool down the body from the inside in order to see the effects on the outside. And, last but not the least, ALWAYS wear sunscreen and you won’t have to worry about these remedies!
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