Excessive sun exposure is no laughing matter as the repercussions can be quite severe. Prolonged exposure to sun can lead to wrinkles, leathery and dehydrated skin, sunburns, and in the worst case scenario blisters and even skin cancer, according to WebMD, and virtually any medical professional. This is exactly why it’ paramount to keep skin in a protective bubble that comes in the form of sunblock, even when you’re not headed to the beach. Still, sun damage can happen to the best of us, but if you take retroactive protective measures in a timely manner, your precious skin can definitely be salvaged, so let’s explore the options and bring that poor skin back to life.
The source of life
The first line of defense should definitely include the one element that’s essential to our existence – water. Using cool water is probably the simplest home remedy for sun damaged skin. Cool water will help you reduce the skin’s swelling by pulling heat away from the burned skin which will in turn reduce the pain to a great extent. Cool compress is definitely the tool custom-made for this job, and if you don’t have one, build it, it’s quite simple. Take a washcloth and soak it in the cool water, but not ice-cold water. Apply the wet washcloth the affected area and leave it there for as long as it’s cool. Once the cloth gets warm, repeat the process, in fact, do this several times a day. A cool bath is a great solution in case your entire body has been exposed. Finally, there is water intake. Sun has the power to actually dehydrate the entire body, so drinking even more than the average recommended amount per day is highly advisable.
Vitamin C!
Research has found that vitamins C and E, as well as selenium, can help protect the skin against sun damage and skin cancer. And they may actually reverse some of the discoloration and wrinkles associated with aging. Karen E. Burke, MD, PhD recommends supplements containing 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C. However, vitamin intake alone is not enough. This miracle antioxidant needs to be applied directly to damaged skin and as skincare is no game, you should always choose from renowned, tried and tested brands. One such product is vitamin C serum by Ultraceuticals that will help with collagen production and skin regeneration. When the condition of your precious skin is at stake, always turn to trusty vitamin C.
Get cooking
When your skin is down and out, you need to step into the bathroom (not the kitchen) and bust out the baking soda. No, you will not be baking, at least not today. Believe it or not, baking soda has an incredibly soothing effect on sun damaged skin all thanks to its alkaline nature. It also has an antiseptic effect that is bound to help reduce the itchy sensation, which is one of the many ‘lovely’ side effects of excessive sun exposure. Now, the way to go about it is this: Fill the tub with cold water and then pour one cup of baking soda in it. Stir well and soak yourself in the solution for about twenty minutes. Once you’re out of the tub, dab your skin with a soft dry towel gently (no rubbing) and let the skin dry naturally.
Potato, potato, let’s call the whole thing off
OK, you can step back into the kitchen now and grab a few potatoes. Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, a potato is a wonderful home remedy. Due to the natural starches present in potatoes, they have amazing healing powers, especially if your skin is red, itchy and that nagging burning sensation is present. This is potatoes main role. Water is wonderful, but potato has an even stronger effect on drawing the heat out. Take two large potatoes and then peel them off before cutting them into small pieces and then throw them into a blender in order to create a paste. Apply directly to affected areas and don’t remove the paste until it’s completely dry – that’s a sign of a job well-done. After that, rinse with lukewarm water and repeat the process several times a day. You’re welcome, skin!
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