So you did it…you burned yourself crispy. You don’t need the guilt trip associated with three to four days of discomfort and several days of peeling ahead. We have all heard that dreaded phrase “you should have used sunscreen” and hopefully you learned your lesson. Now you need a course of action to prevent/minimize the pain and peeling associated with your sunburn.
Milk – Soak a small towel in cold milk and lightly pat the cloth on the effected areas. This is probably the most cost effective and quickest methods to easing your sunburn pain, while simultaneously creating a layer of protein to protect your skin and help it heal.
Yogurt – Also milk based, yogurt holds large amounts of probiotics and enzymes that help heal a sunburn. Be sure to use plain live cultured yogurt when applying to the burn. Let the yogurt sit for five minutes on the skin before rinsing off with cool or luke-warm water.
Aloe Vera – This treatment has been around forever, but it still works as effectively as ever. Aloe vera cools and alleviates immediate pain, while also helping to remove the redness from your sunburn.
Cucumber Slices or Paste – Place cucumber slices on sunburned areas can help soothe burned skin. This miracle vegetable not only helps to relieve the burn but is loaded with antioxidants to promote healing. If you plan on making a cucumber paste in the blender you can also add some aloe vera to the mixture for additional soothing properties.
Hydrate – You literally just burnt your skin, so there is a good chance you are somewhat dehydrated as well. Your sunburn has also dried your skin out. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water during this time to heal your skin.
There are dozens of other ways to help limit pain and discomfort identified with your sunburn. These are just a few of the treatments I have chosen today. Potato, witch hazel, oatmeal, apple cider vinegar and mint are just a few of the others I did not have time to touch today. Just keep in mind the true prevention to a sunburn is to apply sunscreen regularly.
