Stephie Estie

What You Need to Know About Sunburns!

Days spent at the beach or by the pool is one reason we love summer but sometimes this enjoyment renders one caveat: leaving us lobster hued.  Sunburns can be painful and in some cases be accompanied by blisters.  Note:  If you have blisters and severe swelling, seek medical attention immediately.

But once your sunburn heals and the peeling has stopped, all is good right?  Not really.  Sunburns can double your chance of developing melanoma later in life but it may take several years for the damage to show up.

What is a Sunburn? 

Simply put, your skin turning red is an indication that your skin has been severely damaged due to extreme UV exposure causing blood vessels to dilate.  The skin starts to lose moisture and hydration causing a feeling of tightness. Although our body can cope with minimal amounts of sun damage, the danger happens when our DNA becomes damaged and its repair process is compromised, which can lead to skin cancer.

Tips for Sunburn Relief 

Application

Application and reapplication of sunscreen is crucial.  Ensure you are applying enough- a teaspoon for the face and one ounce shot-glass size for the body- and reapply about every two hours.

Hydration

Your body is overheated so it’s important to drink a lot of water.

Skim Milk Cold Compress

A cold compress or cloths soaked in skim milk can relieve pain-skim milk is the preferred choice because it does not have any fat content. The protein found in milk binds to the burned skin to soothe the pain.

OTC Remedies

Aspirin or ibuprofen can slow down the inflammatory reaction.

Application of a 1% hydrocortisone cream may help with sunburn pain and swelling.

Simple DIY Remedy

Plain cold yogurt can be used on sunburned areas.  Leave on for 10-20 minutes, then rinse off.

Final Say

Until your skin heals, stay away from the sun, heat, friction and excessive exercise and do not pick at loose skin-it can scar!  Avoid exfoliating and keep your skincare regimen simple.  The key is to soothe and calm inflammation.

How do you treat a sunburn? 

Stephanie 

Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.

Hands of Time

hourglass

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”

– Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

This quote has stuck with me since my days as an undergrad English major, while taking a class in the Harlem Renaissance .  Albeit this quote was not aesthetically intended, my mind was always revolving around this concept, particularly on how it can tie into skincare.  How?  Simple.  Time will answer the question as to how well you took care of your skin.

Most of us spend so much time focusing on taking care of our face but forget about other telling signs: our hands, neck and décolleté,  These overlooked areas are also prone to sun spots, fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and redness.  If you have inadvertently neglected these areas, here are some solutions to rectify these issues.

Sunscreen /Targeted Creams

Inarguably the least expensive and easiest to use is broad spectrum sunscreen.  When we are driving, UV rays penetrate the glass causing damage to our hands and décolleté leading to pigmentation later on.  Extending your sunscreen application to these areas (which we should already be doing anyway) will help.

Certain creams can also help with the appearance if sun damage is minimal.  PCA Skin Perfecting Neck and Décolleté and Revison Skincare Nectifirm are examples of great products to look into.

Microdermabrasion/Chemical Peels

Exfoliation treatments such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels can provide improvements in the color, tone and texture of treated areas and typically don’t require much downtime.

Other Options

For skin that has extensive damage, a visit to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon would suit best where they could perform IPL treatments, lasers (Fraxel, Active FX or Thermage), Botox or surgery, depending on the results you are looking for.

Remember that prevention is always the best rule to adhere to and will save you time and money in the long run. 

 

Summer Leaving You Looking Like A Lobster?

lobster

Days spent at the beach or by the pool is one reason we love summer but sometimes this enjoyment renders one caveat: leaving us lobster hued.  Sunburns can be painful and in some cases be accompanied by blisters.  Note:  If you have blisters and severe swelling, seek medical attention immediately.

But once your sunburn heals and the peeling has stopped, all is good right?  Not really.  Sunburns can double your chance of developing melanoma later in life but it may take several years for the damage to show up.

So what is a sunburn and how do we get relief?

Simply put, your skin turning red is an indication that your skin has been severely damaged due to extreme UV exposure causing blood vessels to dilate.  The skin starts to lose moisture and hydration causing a feeling of tightness. Although our body can cope with minimal amounts of sun damage, the danger happens when our DNA becomes damaged and its repair process is compromised, which can lead to skin cancer.

Application

application

Application and reapplication of sunscreen is crucial.  Ensure you are applying enough- a teaspoon for the face and one ounce shot-glass size for the body- and reapply about every two hours.

Hydration

water

Your body is overheated so it’s important to drink a lot of water.

Skim Milk Cold Compress

skim milk

A cold compress or cloths soaked in skim milk can relieve pain-skim milk is the preferred choice because it does not have any fat content. The protein found in milk binds to the burned skin to soothe the pain.

OTC Remedies

meds

Aspirin or ibuprofen can slow down the inflammatory reaction.

Application of a 1% hydrocortisone cream may help with sunburn pain and swelling.

Simple DIY Remedy

 

yogurt

Plain cold yogurt can be used on sunburned areas.  Leave on for 10-20 minutes, then rinse off.

Final Say

Until your skin heals, stay away from the sun, heat, friction and excessive exercise and do not pick at loose skin-it can scar!  Avoid exfoliating and keep your skincare regimen simple.  The key is to soothe and calm inflammation.

 

Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.