Tip of the Day – Sunburn Home Remedies
Posted on May 21, 2008 by
The other day when we talked about nanoparticles in sunscreen, Aimee asked about after sun care, so I did a little research and here’s what I came up with.
Getting too much sun can be very unhealthy. It’s important to be careful, use sunscreen and/or cover up. But everyone has an oops moment — that strip of skin you missed when you were smoothing on the sunscreen, or not realizing your shirt doesn’t cover your back when you bend over to garden (yeah, that’s me). Once the damage is done, what should you do?
Spa Index warns that you shouldn’t apply any lotion or petroleum product to burned skin for 48 hours after getting the burn.
Aloe vera gel is a great way to get some relief from a burn and keep your skin moisturized and soft. Unfortunately, a lot of gels out of the market have a little bit of aloe and a whole lot of additives. Get an aloe plant. It’s great to have around for burnt fingers and other home injuries anyway, and especially useful in the summer. Break the leaves and squeeze out the gel when you need it. Enjoy the plant and the air cleaning benefits of live greens when you don’t.
Cucumbers, lavender oil, oatmeal, rosewater and green tea are all great ingredients to help you recover from a sunburn. Check out Spa Index and Skin Care Recipes and Remedies for the recipes.
And make sure to visit your dermatologist for a skin cancer screening. I know it’s a scary thing to do, but the peace of mind you’ll have from staying on top of your skin health is worth it. I have pale skin and lots of spots and dots, so I go every six months for a recheck. It was SO hard to make that first appointment, but now it’s just a part of the routine. I even had a mole removed last year (turned out to be nothing) and it didn’t hurt at all. The fear is far worse than actually doing it.
Growing up, we always put cool tea bags on sun burns. Aloe is nice too.
i had a freckle turn “pre”cancerous almost over night. they did a biopsy then removed a chunk of skin. honestly, it was no big deal — but yeah, us pale and spotty folks need to be extra careful!
I’ve heard that vinegar can bring sunburn relief as well.
Thanks for the useful home recipe links!
Oops, I just read on one of your links that vinegar is not recommended, BUT I have read in other places that it has really helped people.
My fiance got me an Aloe plant for Valentine’s Day (I had asked for it) and I think it’s definitely a gift that keeps giving. We have used it to treat minor burns, scratches, and itchy spots and it works great. I also love the bright green color and architectural look of it.
Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting some rosewater for my skin–nice to know there’s an additional reason to use it.
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I know this sounds completely crazy but vapor rub is not just for colds anymore!! It is the greatest relief for sunburn I know of. I work with teenage girls, who are absolutely impossible when they get burned!! We use the vapor rub on their burnt skin and it takes out the itching, burning and stiffness.
Try it…. what have you got to loose?
I am from Arizona and have had my fair share of sunburns.
I have tried “Aloe” everything – the green gels, lotions, and even taking an aloe vera plant and rubbing its goo right on me. NOTHING works as well as the Made from Earth PURE ALOE FACE TREATMENT (from the Made from Earth skin care line).
When I sunburn, I tend to blister and the Made from Earth Aloe Treatment makes it so I don’t even peel – it keeps my tan (which I wanted to get), but moisturizes so well that I don’t have to worry about all of the ugly peeling!!!
My family went to the lake this week and because everyone loved this lotion so much, they used up my entire bottle – well, I guess that means its time to stock up!!
Take my word for it, this is AMAZING!!!
Pam – I had the same experience as well with Made from Earth products – especially their aloe – its amazing! and healthy!