Summer is the most critical season for sunburns to occur. Due to over-exposure and pro-longed sun-baths, our skin becomes red and sore on the surface exposed to sun rays, especially to UV rays. Repeated sunburns lead to allergies, wrinkles, and sometimes even skin cancer.
DO NOT: After severe sunburn it is vital to avoid applying greasy, oily lotions, ointments, or butter to the skin because they will only obstruct the skin pores, blocking heat and pain within the epidermis. Using commercial soaps that contain chemical compounds will also irritate the skin.
The most recommended remedies for sunburns are the herbal ones that heal and soothe the skin and renew the capillaries, which are the thinnest and most sensitive blood vessels of the body.
DO:
- Aloe Vera gel is the most common home remedy against sun burns. It is best to apply fresh Aloe Vera gel to the damaged area of the skin, as this will help the epidermis recover faster. The sterols in this healing plant are anti-inflammatory and will prevent skin from swelling, while the nutritive mineral zinc will enhance tissue regeneration.
- Comfrey is also very beneficial for the sun burnt skin, because it contains allantoin, a natural compound that is an excellent anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, allergenic and skin cell regenerative. Apply the juice or lotion extracted from comfrey leaves on the skin. Allantoin is also present in wheat and sugar beets.
- Taking a bath in lukewarm water mixed with a cup of baking soda or apple cider vinegar. This will cool down the skin. Compresses with cold green, black, calendula or St. John’s Wort will have the same cooling effect on the damaged skin.
- Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rose hips and Buckthorn essential oils are also beneficial for the inflamed skin. They can be applied directly to the skin or added to the bath water.
- Besides oils, some raw vegetables that, if sliced and applied to the burns, will have a very soothing effect. Some of these are potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, cold juice from lettuce leaves, corn starch and water paste.
- What you eat when you have a sunburn is also very important. Drink a lot of milk and eat foods rich in vitamin C, E, betacarotene and Zinc. They will speed the recovery of the skin.
Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com. To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.
