Did Summer Fun Burn Your Skin?

Ahhh. The summer season was indeed fun. But after all that fun, well for some of us too much fun, there’s reality we have to face. Reality bites and it bites hard. Those who went ahead and overindulged the past season are now trying hard to deal and repair damages that the summer season brought on their skin.

Although we have been reminded so many times by experts, our friends and family members to always wear sunscreen, reapply and minimise sun exposure many still do not heed this advice especially during the summer season. Many continue to bask under the sun for hours to get that bronzed tone they want for their skin.

The truth is most people who go on baking under the sun don’t get that bronze tanned look they dream of having but rather what they do get is sunburn. Burnt skin is painful and not even close to the attractive tone many, blindly go baking for. There are even some people who are already suffering from sunburn but continue to bask under the sun. This is a dangerous practice as the skin is continuously getting damaged. Sunburnt skin increases one’s risk of developing skin cancer.

If you’re suffering from sunburns, how should you look after your skin? Here are some tips.

Looking after Your Burnt Skin

The very first thing you need to do is know what type of burn you are suffering from. This is essential so that you would get the proper sunburn treatment.

• First-degree burn
  This type of burn involves the skin getting red. When you have a first-degree burn your skin feels warm to the touch and you’ll feel it stinging even when you’re not exposed under the sun. The best treatments for this type of burn are cool baths and cold compress. You can also use topical steroids with low potency. But if you have open wounds or your skin is broken, you should not use any topical steroids on the skin. If you’re in pain you can find relief by taking ibuprofen and other over the counter pain medication. It is also advisable to keep the skin moisturised. Apply moisturising products on the skin daily such as Argan oil. Argan oil is packed with essential fatty acids and Sterols giving it a strong moisturising power. It also comes with Vitamin E, Carotenoids and numerous other antioxidants that protect and repair damaged skin. These nutrients also promote cell regeneration!
• Second-degree burn
  If you are seeing blisters on your skin, then this is a second-degree burn. Don’t pop these blisters no matter how tempting it may seem as you’re only inviting bacteria and you’ll most likely get an infection. When you have a second-degree burn it is best to wear loose clothing so that the fabric does not rub against the blisters. For popped blisters, use a bandage to cover them lightly. Don’t let the tape touch the blister as it would be very painful when you remove it. Keep your hands clean to avoid infecting the blisters. Cold showers are advisable. Use a soft towel to pat dry the skin. Lather on a generous amount of moisturiser like Argan oil on the burnt skin.