Remedy for Sunburn {Reader's Tip}

So, Tanveer posted this remedy as a response to my post yesterday on "How to treat Sunburns?".

"I find applying either a 10% vitamin c soln or a zinc oxide cream brings down the redness inflammation quite rapidly"

You can read this post on how to make a 10% Vitamin C solution on Tanveer's blog and for a Zinc Oxide cream, she uses Rashfree by Pfizer which was recommended by a dermatologist so if you are suffering from any skin problems or are already on medication or something, you should consult a dermatologist before starting with any cream of drug grade.

Btw, just sharing what I know. Zinc Oxide is found in Boroline cream too but the quantity is only 3% so I am not really sure how much it helps with sunburns. Or, it is also found in Lactocalamine. Ok, not that these will help with sunburns but the two easily available products with zinc oxide in them. And, I have tried to get the powdered zinc oxide from the medical stores but it wasn't so easy. So, in case you might just ask them for a cosmetic graded zinc oxide.

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How to treat Sunburns? {Skin Care}

Well, I know that summer is long past in Hyderabad but apparently Delhi is still very hot. Now, this is an impromptu post which I am putting up coz my dad just faced a sunburn yesterday after being exposed to the sun for a long time. So, what should be done to avoid and cure sunburns.

Avoid Sunburn

• Always apply a sunscreen of spf 30 or higher when you know that you would be in the sun for a very long time. Don't forget your sunscreen even if you are going ot the hills. You can get easily burnt in the hills as compared to plains (except beaches where there is a lot of sun rays reflection which are equally bad) simply because the rays of sun are much more damaging on the hills because of the distance from sea level.
• Wear proper clothes and try to keep all the areas covered specially the sensitive regions like the neck and back.
• Always carry an umbrella not matter how many layers of clothing you have put on yourself. 
• Try to be in shade whenever you can.

Now, I would also mention that sunscreens are meant to prevent skin cancer but you skin can still burn or get tanned so do not rely completely on the sunscreens.

Treat Sunburn

• Apply cool things like ice packs. If ice pack is not there, apply cold water. Just pour it over the body. Don't use a wash cloth or a sponge. Leave the sunburnt area to maximum air and make sure the air is cool. 
• Wash the sunburnt area immediately with cold water and do not rub the area at all. In fact don't touch the area. Avoid using soap on the affected area and do not apply any moisturizer or astringent or toner too even if they claim to have cooling properties. 
• Wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid irritation and aid proper air circulation.
• Take a soft cloth and soak it in cold milk and cover the sunburnt area with the cloth for 30 minutes or so. This provides relief.
• Aloevera gel is extremely cooling so always carry aloevera gel in your toilet kit no matter where you go - on the beach or on the hills. It is useful for cuts and nicks too. 
• Sandalwood paste can be applied to the area but be careful to just tap the paste ont he area. Don't rub to spread it.
• Slices of cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon can be used.
• A paste of mint leaves also helps in cooling the skin. 
• A paste of apricots is also helpful.
• Spraying green tea or taking a green tea bath (mix green tea in bath water) is also helpful as tannins in the tea helps control inflammation of the skin.
• Do not scrub the sunburnt areas even if you feel they have healed. Give it two weeks at least to heal properly and a week more to ensure there is no sensitivity. Stay out of sun in the mean time.

Food for Sunburns

Not only the remedies but diet is also very important to speed up the recovery.

• Eating a proper balanced diet is very important.
• Drink lots of milk and fluids.
• Increase the intake of Vitamin C and E, betacarotenes (found in carrots and all orange and yellow colored vegetables and fruits) and Zinc (peanuts, dairy products, beans, brown rice and bread, potato, yogurt and pumpkin seeds).

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Use ginger to get rid of acne

Ginger is a very useful spice. And, it has great anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties along with its astringent properties which comes handy when you are dealing with a stubborn problem like acne. Acne can come in form of pimples, outbreaks or even worse. So, let us discuss what all you can do from ginger.

Ginger is great as a drink every day. Yes, it is pretty bitter in taste but it improves your skin from inside. It helps your body fight the free radicals and keeps your digestive system in order. It cleans out the toxins from your system. Ginger improves the blood circulation throughout the body and also cleans out the blood. Not only this, it also improves the skin tone and helps in getting rid of blemishes and spots. 

Squeeze out a little of ginger juice and apply it on your face or just the acne-affected areas and see your skin improve in a matter of days. It works very well for unexpected outbreaks and pimples. You can also use the juice as a face mask for blemished and sun-burnt skin. And, you can also help your body by including this spice in your daily diet. A little every day goes a long way. You can also use a little ginger in your spinach-lettuce juice in the morning. Pass a small slice of ginger along with spinach and lettuce while making the juice. It would give a spicy taste to your drink. And, not to mention, ginger is really good for throat infections, dry coughs and colds.

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