You're sunburned, What Now?
You enjoyed a bit too much sun during vacation and you're paying for it now, huh? Unfortunately, when you get sunburned, you can't undo it. However, there are ways to help relieve the pain. But first,
Why does skin get sunburned?
Sunburns occur when the ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds, damages the DNA inside skin cells. The rapid cell death activates the immune system to release inflammatory proteins. Blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow in order to carry immune cells to the damaged skin. This inflammatory process makes the skin turn red, irritated, and painful.
The first step after realizing you have sunburn will be to take a cold shower or apply a cool compress. The next step is to...
Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisture. (With the right stuff!)
Just as usual, moisturizing when skin is damp is the best time to moisturize. But make sure to use the right moisturizer. According to Mary Lee Amerian, MD, "Don't use petroleum- or oil-based ointments, which may trap the heat and make the burn worse." Over the next few days, make sure you keep skin continuously moisturized. Moisturizing won't just cool down the burn, but will help prevent peeling.
Shea Butter
One moisturizer suggestion for first- and second-degree sunburns is shea butter because it is packed with nutrients and vitamins. It is also known to deeply moisturize skin and protect it from further sun damage.
Aloe Vera
Another suggestion for sunburn healing is aloe vera. It's a traditional herbal remedy that can help ease sunburn symptoms and reduce inflammation. Did you know aloe vera contains 19 out of 20 known amino acids necessary for any organism? Amino acids soften hardened skin cells. Aloe vera also stimulates collagen production to improve elasticity and dryness within the skin.
Finding the right moisturizer is essential for helping your sunburn heal faster. Try our line of body cream moisturizers which provide optimum skin hyrdration with ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera.
