How To Lighten Sunburned Skin: 7 Effective Remedies
Even today, some people do not apply any type of filter to their skin or do so insufficiently (most people do not know exactly what type of protection their skin type needs). These oversights make it easier for the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation to burn us excessively.
It is common that when we burn ourselves, our skin turns red or spots and peeling appear that can not only be unaesthetic but also painful (after all, they are the product of a burn), or that could even be the origin of a beginning of a melanoma.
In order to treat these excesses of melanin and help that part of the body recover its usual appearance as soon as possible, throughout this article we will see several effective remedies to lighten sunburned skin once the redness has passed or when it is already passing.
Sunburns can appear in the form of spots in specific places where the radiation has been concentrated on poorly protected skin or appear in the form of large reddened areas of our skin, when the capacity of epithelial cells to generate melanin is exceeded to prevent ultraviolet radiation from causing damage.
It is common that when this happens, spots appear on our burned skin. In order to treat these spots, below we will review different effective remedies to reduce the damage and return our skin to its natural color.
It may seem obvious, but this element is essential to prevent the burn from becoming more serious. It is necessary to protect the burned area and avoid direct exposure to solar radiation While it is not something that directly clears the skin or heals, it does allow the body itself to regenerate itself and reduce or at least not get worse.
2. Aloe Vera
One of the most widely accepted products in the treatment of sunburn, to the point that many cosmetics, sun creams and aftersun creams incorporate it, is aloe vera.
The use of this plant, whether in lotion or extract, helps to regenerate the skin in addition to lightening the spots that appear on it and reducing the swelling and irritation of the burned area. Its regular use is recommended, on a daily basis.
3. Recovery from food: hydration and products rich in vitamins
An essential part of both improving the burn situation and clearing the burned skin involves help the body itself repair the injured area In this sense, the person’s hydration is essential, both by drinking water and consuming fruits such as watermelon or orange.
Furthermore, it is highly recommended consumption of foods rich in vitamin C (useful in the production of collagen) and D (protects against external aggressions and dehydration of the skin), as well as A (which strengthens the skin’s defenses and makes it easier to heal) and E (a great antioxidant that hinders aging skin), all of them vitamins relevant to skin regeneration. Among them, products such as the aforementioned orange, kiwi, cucumber or grapes, avocado, fish or dairy products, eggs or wheat are recommended.
Another remedy with proven effectiveness to treat and lighten burned skin is to use oatmeal to clean it. Is about an anti-inflammatory substance that respects the skin and the body’s natural fat, not damaging injured areas and producing improvement. It is recommended to incorporate it into warm or cold baths, and stay in said water for around twenty minutes once a week. It is one of the simplest and most natural remedies to lighten burned skin.
5. Very gentle exfoliation
Although in this case this remedy is controversial, given that it can have the opposite effect to the desired one, another way to return burned skin to its usual tone is through exfoliation, that is, removing the remains of dead or injured skin with the end of promote oxygenation of still healthy skin, accelerating the regeneration of the area
The use of gentle exfoliants (such as those containing aloe vera or oats) is recommended, which allow the remains to be removed without tearing off the living skin in the process and without worsening the injury. On the other hand, the use of more powerful exfoliants can be harmful and worsen the situation, being contraindicated.
6. Cold water or milk compress
Cooling and keeping the burned area hydrated is another remedy that helps us control the burn and reduce redness and itching. In this sense, it is considered advisable to take cold showers or use cold water compresses for around a quarter of an hour.
Another remedy that is very widespread is to use compresses soaked in milk. Now, although this has the advantage that it can act as an anti-inflammatory, the lactic acid itself can end up irritating and damaging the tissue.
7. Lemon, chamomile, parsley, papaya, yogurt, cucumber or egg white
These foods are natural skin whiteners and can be useful in reducing redness caused by sun spots, when used topically. Infusions can be used (for example with chamomile or parsley), creams or masks (such as papaya, or yogurt mixed with cucumber).
It should be noted, however, that in products such as lemon, the acid it contains can be irritating, so if used it must be reduced with water.
