Spent a little too much time catching some rays? Here are our top tips to help you reverse sun damage and properly care for sunburnt skin!
Temperatures are soaring, and we’ve all been spending extra time out in the sun. As important as it is to get fresh air and soak up vitamin D, we all need to be wary of the real risk of sun damage this summer.
Whether you’re getting ready for a day at the lake or a multi-mile hike, you’ll need to make a solid plan to stay as safe as possible when outdoors. After all, prevention is key!
Of course, even the most cautious people may find themselves dealing with an uncomfortable burn after a long day in the sun. We’re going to dive into different tips and tricks to help care for your skin after a day in the sun – from the inside out!
How to Reverse Sun Damage and Care for Sunburnt Skin
Try a Cold Compress
As soon as you can, apply a cold compress to the affected area. This will help bring your temperature down and soothe the skin. Be sure to avoid applying ice directly to the skin, as this can cause irritation!
Take Cool Baths or Showers
As your sunburn is healing, take regular cold baths or showers. Just like with the compress, this will calm and comfort the skin and lower your body temperature.
Keep in mind that you need to treat your skin with extra care during this time. As you shower, be sure to stick to gentler body care products. You’ll also want to skip the loofah and any other abrasive products or tools!
Apply a Hydrating and Soothing Moisturizer
In order to counteract dryness, peeling, and irritation, apply a soothing moisturizer on a daily basis. Look for products with ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, vitamin E, or soy. Stick with lightweight formulas, like a gel or lotion, rather than heavier creams or petroleum-based products. Thicker moisturizers can trap heat into the skin, which can actually make a burn last longer.
Pro tip: apply your moisturizer after you shower, when your skin is still damp. This helps seal in moisture!
Take Extra Precautions When Going Back Outside
As you allow your skin to heal, you’ll need to do everything in your power to prevent further damage. Continue to wear your sunscreen, and try to avoid going out in direct sunlight between the hours of 10am and 4pm (when the sun is at its harshest!). It’s also smart to wear clothing that covers your burn. Stick with tightly-woven fabrics or UV protective clothing, as they’ll do the best at shielding your skin.
Drink Plenty of Water
Now that we’ve talked about some external methods for caring for sunburnt skin, let’s turn inward. In order to optimally reverse sun damage, you need to also think about what’s going in your body. Our first tip: stay hydrated!
Sunburns can take a real toll on your health, as they attract fluid to the surface of the skin, taking it away from other areas of the body. In order to replenish and avoid dehydration, be sure to drink water regularly.
Try Anti-Inflammatory Medication
An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can do wonders for minimizing redness, swelling, and general pain from your sunburn. It can even prevent skin damage in the long run! Take the medication as soon as you can after you notice you’ve been burned. Continue taking it for two days, as instructed on the medication packaging.
Target Skin Damage with Collagen
It’s a great idea to use targeted products to help support the skin’s post-burn reparative process. One ingredient that’s particularly beneficial for treating sun damaged skin is collagen. This protein is found naturally in the body, and helps keep our complexion looking youthful.
Unfortunately, collagen is directly impacted from exposure to the sun. Damaging UV rays can cause collagen to break down faster. Replenishing those collagen levels from an external source can help counteract the effects of sun damage to achieve healthy skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’re looking for the perfect source of collagen, be sure to check out our Amazing Creamer! Each scoop of this French vanilla-flavored creamer contains 5 grams of collagen. It also contains hyaluronic acid and MCT oil, which replenish dry and flaky skin, giving it the moisture that it desperately needs. This multi-tasking creamer will help get your sun damaged skin back on track!
Need to give your skin a little bit of extra care from within? Try our Amazing Creamer today!
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