Sunburn Treatments Tips

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How will aloe vera help treat sunburn?

Keep aloe vera on hand to treat sunburns.

A useful natural sunburn treatment is aloe vera. The gel, which is found within the aloe vera plant, has been renowned for its healing properties for millennia. Ancient Egyptians used it regularly in healing and beauty treatments. Aloe vera will have an immediate cooling and calming effect on the skin, and it forms protective layer that will seal valuable moisture into the skin, preventing dehydration and promoting faster healing. To use the gel directly from the plant, snap off a stalk from the plant and gently squeeze out the gel. Spread this gel in a thin layer over your sunburned skin. Because sunburn tends to affect a large area of skin, you might prefer to have a prepared aloe vera product to use. An aloe vera gel with Lidocaine will give you instant relief, but it is also possible to get pure aloe vera gel that is already packaged. Other aloe vera preparations might include additional beneficial ingredients such as tea tree oil and green tea. Reapply as often as needed to relieve pain, speed healing.

   
What do I do if I get a bad sunburn?

Treat your skin gently and moisturize after sun exposure.

Even if you have not gotten sunburned, it is important to care for your sun after sun exposure. After a day at the beach, re-hydrate skin with moisturizer, preferably one without alpha-hydroxy acids, which will cause your skin to peel. If you do have a touch of sunburn, soak in a cool tub with an oatmeal-based soak (such as Aveeno Oatmeal Bath) to cool the skin, take some acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce swelling, and apply an aloe-based lotion to moisturize the skin. You can also use products containing (No Suggestions), tea tree oil and green tea to help speed healing & prevent peeling.

   
What sunburn treatments might I already have at home?

Brew a pot of tea to soothe your sunburn.

Ouch! You're sunburned and too tired and grumpy to go to the store for a pain relief treatment. Why not look in your pantry for some natural sunburn remedies and home treatments? Try brewing up a big pot of tea. The tannins in tea can soothe and help relieve some of the discomfort of burned skin. Brew the tea and allow it to cool completely. Slosh it over the affected areas with a soft sponge. It might be a good idea to apply this sunburn treatment in the bathtub or shower recess.

   
How can I promote healing of my sunburned skin?

Take vitamins to promote quick healing of sunburned skin.

If you have gotten sunburned, taking vitamin supplements for the first few days can promote faster recovery of your damaged skin. Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene and flaxseed oil - in either liquid or capsule form - will boost healing from the inside out. Using moisturizing lotion with these vitamins can also help prevent peeling and fading. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any medications, check with a physician to see whether increasing your vitamin intake poses any dangers, and be sure not to recommend the recommended daily allowance of these vitamins, as doing so could have adverse effects.

   
What are some home treatments for sunburn?

Take a baking soda bath to soothe sunburn naturally.

Your cupboards probably contain a number of sunburn treatments without you even knowing it. One product that you are likely to have on hand that can be very soothing to a sunburn is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) - the same item you use to make your cookies rise and to deodorize your icebox! Add about a cup of baking soda to a bath filled with lukewarm water, and soak for as long as you desire. Try to make sure that all affected areas are submerged for this treatment to work best. Pour the bath water over your body using your hands or a soft wash cloth. Dab onto burned facial areas gently or splash the water directly onto your face. Rinse with cool water to remove any remaining grit, and moisturize with either after-sun lotion or aloe vera gel.

   
How can I speed the process of recovery after sunburn?

Increase the Vitamin C-rich foods in your diet to speed healing of a sunburn.

Increasing your intake of Vitamin C can help speed the healing process for sunburned skin. Choose foods rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries and blueberries. You can also take Vitamin C supplements in powder or capsule form. Since Vitamin C isn't stored by your body, include these foods daily over the next several days, while your skin recovers. Don't overdo it, though - too much Vitamin C can give you a stomachache.

   
How can I promote faster healing of my sunburn?

Mix Vitamin E with some household ingredients to create a soothing balm.

Try this vitamin-rich sunburn treatment to calm and relieve your skin while also promoting faster healing. Pierce two vitamin E capsules and squeeze the oil into a small bowl; add a teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar and lavender oil and about 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel. Mix together well, and then place the mixture into a small bottle or container. Shake vigorously then rubbing this lotion carefully into your skin. This recipe makes enough for one person, but you can multiply the recipe to make enough for the entire family or for multiple applications. Keep it in your beach bag, or store in the refrigerator to get additional cooling power.

   
If my skin is burned badly, when should I see the doctor?

See a doctor if you have severe sunburn.

Not all sunburns should be left to home remedies. See a doctor right away if your skin is so badly burned that you experience chills, nausea and fever - or even if you are simply extremely fatigued. If you have visible, large blisters, and discolored/darkening skin or severe itchiness, visit the doctor for professional sunburn treatment.

   
What sunburn treatments might I already have at home?

Apply whole-fat milk to soothe sunburn.

Milk is another sunburn treatment that you likely have on hand, or that you can easily purchase. The fat and lactic acids in milk are known to have soothing qualities for sunburned (or even dry) skin. Because the milk's fat content is important for this treatment, use whole fat products. Soak a soft cloth in the milk and dab carefully onto the burned skin. Do this for around twenty minutes. Make sure you rinse off with cool water so that you don't end up smelling like spoiled milk!

   
How can I use herbal extracts to treat sunburn?

Add lavender to a bath or to aloe vera gel for an aromatherapy sunburn treatment.

Lavender is said to have healing agents that are particularly as a sunburn treatment. If you have the misfortune to have gotten sunburned, add a few drops - around 20 - of lavender oil to a cool bath and soak. Relax in the bath for around ten minutes, breathing in the aroma. The scent of lavender has calming properties that will soothe your burn and will make you feel less tense. Alternatively, add a small amount of lavender oil to some aloe vera gel or your favorite after-sun body lotion and apply as usual for sunburn relief. Be sure to read any directions or warnings that have come with the essential oils, and be very careful when using them, since they are concentrated extracts.

   
What are some natural products I can use to treat sunburn?

St. John's Wort applied to the skin can be an effective herbal remedy for sunburn.

The herb, St. John's Wort, can also be used to relieve the effects of sunburn. Dilute one part extract or tincture with nine parts water and pat directly onto the burned skin. St. John's Wort contains cooling properties which can help tone down some of the heat in your skin. Also, it soothes the nerve endings damaged by the sunburn. Another version of a St. John's Wort sunburn treatment is steeping some of the herb in a bowl of warm water (much like making a pot of tea). Cool the mixture and splash it onto affected areas. Be sure to test a small area of skin first to see if you have any allergic reactions to this treatment.

   
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