Remedies for sunburn

It’s the last few days of summer before fall arrives in all its glory, and all you want is to soak up every last bit of sunshine that the remaining days have to offer. Be it lounging by the beach, or just laying under the sun in your patio, sipping on the cool and refreshing mojitos and margaritas, you want to do it all. However, in your eagerness to make the most of the glorious sun, you might forget a tiny detail; wearing sunscreen and ending up with a sunburn. 

Sunburn is inflamed and painful skin that feels hot to touch and can result by staying out in the sun for just a few long hours. And it can happen to anyone. Yes, even people with dark skin who usually have the misconception that they don’t need sun protection owing to the presence of plenty of melanin in their skin. 

Alas, that’s not true because sun protection is important for everyone who’s not only looking to avoid sunburn, but also early aging, dark spots, wrinkles, dehydrated skin and skin cancer.

So what if despite knowing the importance of wearing sunscreen at all times, even when you plan to stay indoors all day, you slip up and forget, and end up with a nasty sunburn? Is there a way to remedy that or are you now destined to live with red, blotchy and burning hot skin for the rest of your life? 

Yeah, I’m exaggerating. It doesn’t last that long. Max a week. But the burn surely does feel like it’ll last for eternity. 

So answering the above question, yes there are several easy at home remedies that you can opt for to expedite the process of healing and recovery and today we’re going to be discussing a few of them right here. So keep on reading!

• Take an oatmeal bath

With its skin soothing properties, oatmeal makes a wonderful remedy for treating sunburns and making the healing process quick. Oatmeal baths can alleviate the inflammation, burn and itching associated with sunburn, giving your agonizing pain an almost instant relief. Just grind up some oatmeal in your food processor and add it to your bathtub. Soak for 15-20 mins and then gently pat your skin dry with a towel. Make sure not to rub your skin as it can lead to further irritation.

• Apply aloe vera to burnt areas

Aloe vera is something you’d probably always find in your mom’s garden, and for good reason. It is known for its potent healing, soothing and nourishing properties and can instantly calm down burnt skin. Simply break off a chunk of the plant, slice it open down the middle and apply the gel onto affected areas. If you can't get your hands on fresh aloe vera, the Leovard Elixir containing the same makes a wonderful topical treatment for sunburns. 

• Try chamomile tea

Just like chamomile tea can lift up your spirits, it too can alleviate the burn and stinging of sunburns owing to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Simply brew a pot, let it cool, dampen a cloth with it and apply onto affected areas. The Leovard Tonic contains chamomile as well as other soothing ingredients such as lavender and aloe vera, making it another great product to use for relieving sunburns. 

• Apply honey

Ancient Egyptians used honey to treat skin infections and it truly isn’t a surprise that it works extremely well for sunburnt skin. Honey is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, and its topical application can accelerate skin healing and rejuvenation.

• Keep moisturizing

It’s important to ensure that the skin doesn’t peel as a result of getting burnt, and hence moisturizing it frequently is important. Use a light weight, non-greasy and fragrance free moisturizer to keep the burnt skin hydrated, otherwise it will feel taut and dry. The Leovard Multicream with a fantastic list of hydrating and nourishing ingredients makes a wonderful choice.

And while you’re at it, keep drinking plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and wear loose fitting clothing that doesn’t brush against your skin. If the pain becomes too unbearable, you can even pop an aspirin to alleviate it a bit. Lastly, resist the tempting urge to peel the skin as it can lead to an infection, which will only make matters worse in terms of pain. 

Takeaway

Getting sunburnt is inevitable at some point in your life, no matter how cautious and careful you are. Which is why it’s not only recommended to wear sunscreen daily, but to reapply it several times during the day for maximum protection.