Did you know that exposure to the sun is the number one cause of aging? And if causing premature aging on your skin wasn’t bad enough, The Skin Cancer Foundation states that about 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun. SPF is going to be your skin’s best defense against summer weather, but in order for sunscreen to be effective, you have to wear the correct SPF for your sun exposure, apply the right amount of sunscreen and reapply that amount every two hours.
Sometimes, no matter how well your intentions were for wearing sunscreen, there’s no way around getting sunburned. Thankfully, there are all kinds of ways to get relief from a painful and irritating sunburn. Most people start with taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin to stop inflammation and help ease the pain.
After getting out of the sun, try to take a cool water shower. Cool showers are incredibly soothing for the skin. They also help wash away any salt or chlorine, which if left, could sensitize the skin even more by drying it out.
Another way to help soothe the skin from sunburn is by using a cold compress. Soak a washcloth in equal amounts of cool milk and ice water. Then press the cloth against the burnt area until the cloth doesn’t feel cool anymore. For maximum relief, repeat this for a total of three compresses.
Staying hydrated on the inside is another important aspect of sunburn relief. Excessive sun exposure can cause dehydration. Make a point to drink extra water, juice and sports drinks for a few days. Pay close attention and watch for any signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, headache, dizziness and sleepiness.
Not only is it important to stay hydrated on the inside, you’ll want to keep the skin hydrated on the outside. Apply aloe or a lightweight moisturizer with antioxidants directly to the skin. Don’t apply any moisturizers that contain anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, hydroxyl acids or alcohol. Not only will they sting the skin, but also these ingredients tend to be drying and can increase redness in the skin.
On the days where your skin is in desperate need of extra soothing, use products like mybody Calm After The Storm. Calm After The Storm is a special daily treatment that’s formulated for every sensitive, aging or acne prone skin type. This product can be used on the face, morning and night, to help treat and calm down hypersensitive skin from sunburn and excessive dryness.
Sunburns aren’t the only factor that can cause skin to become hypersensitive. Receiving certain skincare treatments such as a chemical peel, microdermabrasion, a laser treatment or getting waxed can leave the skin red, dry and irritated. Being exposed to other natural elements such as excessive wind exposure or bug bites can also dry out the skin and cause irritation. Using special treatment products like Calm Before The Storm will help to restore your glowing complexion and relieve your skin from discomfort, mild redness and itchy skin caused by any of these external factors.
Let that painful sunburn be a reminder to step up your sunscreen game the next time you venture outdoors. Make a vow to better protect yourself from the damaging rays in the future. Start with wearing sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen that has a high enough SPF for your specific sun exposure and don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every two to three hours.
SkinSpirit Founder and Medical Director, M. Dean Vistnes, M. D. suggests that, “At SkinSpirit, we have a variety of products to choose from that protect and heal your skin from sun damage. If you need help choosing the right product for you, just ask us for assistance.”
Feel free to come into any one of our three locations in Palo Alto, Walnut Creek or Mill Valley for a free product consultation.
Disclaimer: Information and content within this blog is provided for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to provide medical advice, and anything read here should not be construed as such. Reading this blog or communicating with our staff does not create a physician-patient relationship. If you have questions about any health issue, including something you may have read here, please consult a licensed, trained physician or health professional immediately.
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