Harmful Effects of Sunburn
While laying out in the sun is a popular method to catch a glowing tan, too often sunbathers head inside to find that they stay out much too long. When your skin suffers from redness, flaking, swelling, or blisters after a period of sun exposure, your body is showing you signs of sunburn symptoms. To better understand this, let us consider how the skin's epidermis works.
When sunlight hits the skin with harmful UV rays, the body increases melanin production to protect the skin. Melanin is what produces color in the skin and gives off the tanned effect. While everyone is born with a different natural level of melanin to their skin, it will not produce more on its own without an unusual impact on the skin. This means, for the body to produce more melanin to protect your skin, one must be subjected to the sun longer. This is why those with fairer skin, and therefore less natural melanin, are subject to harsher and faster sunburns. There will be some sunburns that can heal, but some cells that cannot be restored forever.
It's extremely important to protect your skin against the harmful effects of UV rays in the sun, especially as summer approaches. While sunscreen is always advised for daily use even if you're not headed to the beach, check out these expert-recommended tips to remedy any sun damage your skin may incur this summer.
Immediately move away from sunlight.
When your skin is struggling with sunburn wounds, it is very susceptible to sun damage. Therefore, the most urgent thing you can do is to prevent your skin from being exposed to direct sunlight again.
Cool the skin.
Sunburns need to be cooled promptly to ease any symptoms of inflammation, pain, itching, or burning. However, you should not apply cold directly to the damaged skin. Conversely, it's best to wrap the ice in a clean towel or cloth and limit the cold compress to no more than 15-20 minutes.
If you get sunburned from hanging at the beach or the pool, taking a bath with clean water is also a good way to wash away any chlorine or salt that could further irritate your skin. However, you should also not shower too long or use soap with ingredients too strong to make the skin more dry and sensitive.
Compensate water from the inside out.
Your skin needs to stay hydrated during the healing process. Drinking lots of water is certainly important, but there are other ways to increase the body's moisture as soon as possible. Drinks like Gatorade and Pedialyte (or simply aloe vera) can also be used as topical treatments to help soothe the stinging sensation as well as aid in the healing process.
In addition, immediately after showering, when your skin is still damp, quickly apply a gentle cream to help lock in moisture and reduce any dryness or flaking. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon or cucumber can also replenish water from within the body.
Wear loose-fitting clothes.
Don't press down on the damaged skin with thick layers of tight clothing. Instead, loose-fitting outfits with airy, air-absorbing materials such as elastic, cotton will be the most reasonable choice for you.
