Sunburn Remedies

  

We’ve all been there, light skin, dark skin and everything in between. We’ve had that day where you told yourself it would be okay to forgo the application of sunscreen. The dreaded decision that made changing clothes, sleeping, washing your face and even taking a shower feel slightly more like torture than hygiene maintenance. For these days when we forget to apply or reapply, feel we had enough base tan to manage, or we just plumb ran out of SPF, here are some tips to nurse assaulted skin back to health and help take the sting out of the memory.

Items you’ll need for this toolkit:

• Vinegar
• Talcum Powder/Baby Powder
• Baking Soda
• Liquid Chamomile Extract
• Lavender Extract
• Fresh Rosemary
• Washcloth or Rag
• Aloe Gel
• Spray Bottle
• Ice

Here are some of the most common treatments and instructions:

Vinegar

An age old remedy for a multitude of things. Vinegar has been proven to be a mulit-purpose nursing agent as well as a cleaner. Use it in a spray bottle and lightly mist the affected areas, or use it on a dampened cloth to gently sponge the reddened skin. Repeat the process as needed.

Talc

Commonly used at a anti-dampening product that provides a barrier, Talc will create a shield for burned skin and instantly cool the surface. Much like how an elephant uses dirt to cool his back, talc will cool human skin too. It will also give those pressure prone areas protection from rubbing shirts, pants, and sheets. Apply a thin layer as often as needed.

Baking Soda

As a holistic giant, baking soda, wears many hats; it can remove smells, detoxify, smooth, relieve, clean, and the list goes on. Since people take comfort in knowing whether remedies have been proven, here is an article that states the many uses of baking soda. http://lifehackery.com/2008/07/22/home-4/ Use it in a baking soda bath or make a paste to spread on your areas of concern. Ratios need not be of concern.

Chamomile

With its medicinal roots planted in Egypt, Chamomile is super herb with a super hero reputation. Uses have stemmed from embalming and continue spanning to sleep induction and anti-inflammatory uses. So it’s no surprise how its varying uses can prove beneficial when it comes to sunburned skin. Use as a compress to feels its medicinal power. Add a few drops of liquid chamomile extract, lavender and even sprigs of fresh rosemary to a bowl of warm water. Dip a washcloth, wring it out and allow to cool before placing on desired areas.

Lavendar

Lavender is notoriously beneficial for any type of burn, especially sunburns. Not only does it offer immediate relief, it actually speeds up the healing process. Mix 20-25 drops of lavender oil in one cup of water and bathe the sunburned area.

Rosemary

Rosemary oil benefits are plentiful. You may find rosemary useful for skin problems. Rosemary oil has a rejuvenating effect on your body, helping the cell reconstruction and decreasing all inflammations. If acne, sunburn or insect bites are giving you a hard time, apply a small amount of oil on the affected area and massage it until the oil is absorbed within your skin layers.

Aloe Vera Gel

For sunburn there is nothing better than aloe vera gel; it is antibacterial and deeply healing for burns in part because of aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system. Aloe vera gel is used in hospitals for burn victims. Aloe Vera comes from the aloe vera plant, and the gel may be squeezed from its leaves, or you can buy pure aloe vera gel as a product in most health food stores.