Nothing beats lounging under the sun with a good book and the sound of waves crashing on the shore. It is easy to lose track of time when baking, but if you don’t wear sunscreen, you will be a vibrant red mess for the rest of your holiday.
Sunshine contains various types of radiation, including infrared (which makes sunlight feel warm), visible light (which allows us to view sunlight), and ultraviolet radiation. Sunburn is caused by this last type of radiation. As the UV rays strike the skin, the pigments called melanin absorb it to protect your DNA against harm. This could also disrupt critical components and wreak havoc upon your immune system.
Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its colour; whenever your skin is exposed to UV light, the production of melanin increases, which is why your skin tans when you spend time in the sun. The melanin defence is not flawless, and certain UV rays can sneak through and damage your DNA, turning your melanin against you by boosting free radical production.
When your cells are injured, they send out warning signals, prompting your body to respond with an inflammatory reaction. This is why your skin turns red and is unpleasant to touch.
So, here are 10 home remedies to instantly relieve sunburn. Keep reading.
1. Compressing with Cold
How can you get rid of the sting of a sunburn? It should be cooled down. Our first sunburn treatment is indeed a classic for a reason. Regarding painful burns, cold compresses can assist absorb heat and provide instant cooling relief. Something to avoid? Applying ice to the skin. This could potentially cause a cold burn on top of your sunburn, which is a recipe for disaster. Wrap a hand towel over a plastic baggie filled with ice for a quick DIY option if you’re not using a padded cold compress.
2. Leave the soap
The first action you need to do after a long day under the sun is rinsed off but think more carefully before sudsing up. Sitting in a bubble bath and using soap can cause burnt skin to become dry and irritated. A chilly bath (without bubbles) is a preferable alternative. When you must bathe with soap, use a light soap like Johnson’s Baby Head-to-Toe Wash and thoroughly rinse it off—leftover soap residue can be highly drying, aggravating your sunburn.
3. Soak in a bath of soothing oatmeal
Another remedy for sunburn is to soak in a bath with oatmeal. According to board-certified dermatologist Michael Schreiber, M.D., colloidal oatmeal helps relieve inflammation plus itching, but it’s an ingredient in several Aveeno products, including their relaxing bath treatment.
Alternatively, you may simply ground plain oats in your food processor and add them to your tub. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes in some kind of a cool bath with the oatmeal therapy. Thereafter, use a clean towel to softly pat your skin dry. Rubbing your skin to dry would aggravate it even more.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is often used to cure a range of ailments for hundreds of years, and the American Academy of Dermatology suggests using aloe vera topical applications to help relieve the symptoms of a sunburn. Aloe vera is included in many topical medications, but you can instead cut open an aloe vera leaf and take the sticky gel within. Start honing your green thumb and maintain an aloe vera plant available because you never know when you’ll need it for sunburn relief.
5. Coconut oil
To combat dryness and irritation, many experts suggest applying cold-pressed, organic coconut oil. Only after blistering has faded and your burn has concluded its process of healing, only apply cold-pressed, organic coconut oil (or else you may trap in heat, but you don’t want that). Always test a small area of skin first to ensure no adverse effects. If you have acne, don’t use coconut oil on your skin because it might clog pores and cause breakouts.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Use a bottle of apple cider vinegar from your cupboard to finish a home sunburn treatment. Malic acid, found in apple cider vinegar, is an AHA that helps the body repair faster by stimulating circulation. Apple cider vinegar also helps to keep the pH of the skin in check, which can assist to prevent peeling and blisters. This common household item is antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal by nature, making it an excellent supplement to help avoid infection in damaged skin tissue. If you don’t have any apple cider vinegar on hand, you can make your own. Get yourself a bottle of white vinegar, which has been reported to help with sunburn issues.
7. Honey
Since Egyptian times, the sticky substance has been utilized as a topical burn salve. According to Kathi Kemper, M.D., author of The Holistic Paediatrician, “research suggests it may work more effectively than certain antibiotic creams at speeding up recovery, lowering infection, and minimizing discomfort.” If your baby is under the age of 12 months, you should avoid using this medication because accidentally ingesting honey can cause infant botulism.
8. Witch hazel
A liquid extract of the witch hazel plant is witch hazel. Oils and tannins in this extract are said to reduce inflammation, bring skin tissue together for better healing, plus fight free radicals. To get relief from pain and irritation, put witch hazel to the burn. Put this astringent on the skin for 20 minutes using a washcloth or cotton gauze. To reduce discomfort and itching, repeat three or four times a day (or as required).
9. Tea will help to calm it down
According to studies, the tannic acid in green and black tea can help remove heat from sunburn while catechins (an antioxidant ingredient) repair skin damage. This is especially beneficial if you’ve been burned around your sensitive eye area. To reduce swelling and relieve the pain, soak two tea bags in lukewarm water and place them on top of closed eyes.
10. Keep yourself hydrated
Extreme sunburns cause blood vessels to dilate, leading your skin to lose moisture more quickly. In some cases, this might lead to weariness, dehydration, and heatstroke. Boost your intake of water and other caffeine-free, alcohol-free beverages during the first few days after your sunburn to stay hydrated. Serve fruits and vegetables that are high in water, such as watermelon, grapefruit, cucumbers, and so on.
