We know full well that sun cream and sensible sun protection are important for preventing sunburn when we’re enjoying the sun’s warm rays. But when the birds are singing and the sky is blue, we sometimes lose track of time and place, and our skin can get burnt.
In this article, we offer our best advice on how to care for your skin from the inside and out – if the damage has already been done.
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Get out of the sun
If you’ve got sunburn, it’s important to stay out of the sun until all signs of tenderness, redness and irritation have disappeared. If your skin is exposed to the sun shortly after a sunburn, you risk making the burn worse.
Cool your skin
Start by placing wet towels or ice packs wrapped in a tea towel over your skin. Never place ice directly on delicate skin, as this can cause frostbite. Alternatively, you can take short, cold showers to cool the skin down. Avoid using soap in the shower – it can put the skin under even more stress than it’s already under. When you get out of the shower, gently pat the skin dry with a towel or let it air-dry.
Care and moisturising
Make sure the skin is moisturised and cared for at regular intervals – and continue to do so in the days that follow, as it takes time for the skin to heal. Use moisturising skincare products with soothing and restorative ingredients.
Karmameju PRE & AFTER SUN serum-lotion contains clinically proven ingredients that reduce histamine-related redness caused by, amongst other things, sunburn. Our INFINITY face & body serum-lotion has the same formula, but is fragrance-free, and is particularly beneficial for children and sensitive skin.
Relief with pure aloe vera
Apply gel from the healing medicinal plant aloe vera, ‘Aloe barbadensis miller’, to the skin. Avoid the yellow sap from the edge of the leaf when cutting the plant. A combination of after-sun and pure aloe vera can be an effective and soothing treatment.
Relief with yoghurt
Cover the sunburnt area with cool yoghurt. Choose full-fat yoghurt that has been fermented with lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus). The yoghurt will soothe the skin, and the lactic acid bacteria will strengthen the skin’s microbiome, immune system and barrier.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing
Instead, choose loose-fitting, breathable clothing from your wardrobe – made from natural materials so that your skin can breathe.
Drink plenty of fluids
Sunburn draws fluid away from the body’s organs and to the skin’s surface to compensate for the dehydration occurring in the skin. That’s why it’s important to remember to drink more than usual. However, the body’s vital organs will always take priority when it comes to the water we drink, so the skin is effectively ‘last in line’. So, stay hydrated.
Drink water with added electrolytes
Electrolytes are mineral salts that help the body maintain an optimal fluid balance. Electrolytes can be bought in tablet form at the chemist’s, but they’re also found in coconut water, which is available in most supermarkets.
If you don’t have any electrolytes or coconut water to hand, you can mix your own simple electrolyte drink using basic ingredients from your kitchen.
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- Mix 1 litre of water with ½ tsp salt and 2–3 tbsp sugar.
- You could add a little lemon juice to give it a slightly lemonade-like flavour.
- The sugar will help your body absorb water and salt more effectively, so you can maintain a good fluid balance.
Eat water-rich foods
It is said that the body absorbs fluids best from fruit and vegetables. It is therefore a good idea to eat cucumber, melon and other water-rich foods if you have got sunburnt.
Always seek medical advice if the sunburn causes symptoms such as:
Dizziness, nausea, fever, a rapid pulse, paleness and cold sweats. If you are sensitive to light or have pain around your eyes. Or if the sunburn is very painful.
Sunburn is equivalent to a first-degree burn and usually only becomes apparent 4–6 hours after exposure to the sun. Some people already feel a stinging heat in their skin whilst they are in the sun, as a warning that their skin has ‘had enough’. Others only notice it when it is too late.
A sunburn is the skin’s reaction to UVB rays. When the skin is exposed to the sun, the skin cells produce the pigment melanin, which helps to protect the skin from the sun and gives us a tan. Fair skin is more prone to sunburn than dark skin, as fair skin naturally produces less melanin than dark skin does. Dark skin can therefore tolerate UVB rays for longer without getting sunburnt. However, this does not mean that dark skin does not need sun protection. Without sun cream, the sun’s UVA rays will still penetrate the skin and can cause cell damage and premature signs of ageing.
Our best tip is always to carry sun cream in your bag during the sunny months. Just to be on the safe side.
Every time your skin gets burnt, the risk of cell changes increases. However, there’s no need to stay out of the sun, as it also provides energy and vital vitamin D. With a healthy dose of sun sense, you can easily enjoy the sun to the full – without any worries.
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Even if you don’t use aromatherapeutic skincare or products for the home, nature still ensures that aromatherapy is all around us. Trees and plants release invisible plant compounds, phytoncides, which research links to lower stress levels and increased activity in the body’s natural defence cells. This is a beautiful account of forest bathing, nature’s aromatherapy and the scientific evidence behind it.
