June is here! We’re officially twenty days away from entering the time of year the majority of Canadians most look forward to. Summer is almost here! Certainly, what that means is we’ll be exposing our skin to the sun more than ever for a couple of months. So naturally, it will be important to take measures to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays all summer long.
In last week’s blog, we pointed out how the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin. So what can you do to soothe your sunburned skin? Here are three steps:
1. Re-hydrate your body.
Sunburned skin is often indicative of a dehydrated body. Water, of course, is the best possible way to rehydrate. It should be used both in and out of your body. In other words, drink a lot of water and treat yourself to a cool bath. Your body needs cooling off in more ways than one. After all, being sunburned means that you’ve been baking for some time!
Dr. Jillian Macdonald is an Ottawa-based dermatologist who is certified with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. On BestHealthMag.ca, she recommends that sunburn sufferers “treat the skin immediately by taking a cool bath or applying a cold compress to the affected area to soothe red-hot skin. Be sure to drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body.”
2. Add oil to your water.
They say that oil and water don’t mix. However, Reader’s Digest suggests that the combination is a great way to soothe and repair sunburned skin.
“For a mild sunburn, add 10 drops each of chamomile oil and lavender oil to a cool bath and soak for 30 minutes or more to relieve discomfort and moisturize the skin,” says their website, “If the burn is more serious, prepare a topical remedy using a few drops of chamomile oil or lavender oil, or both, and half an ounce of a neutral oil, such as almond oil, and apply it gently to the affected areas twice a day.”
3. Moisturize your skin.
In case it wasn’t already made obvious, your sunburned skin is incredibly dry. Void of its natural moisture, it is in desperate need of being moisturized. “Apply a mild, unscented moisturizer, such as Glaxal Base (my go-to), to soothe irritation and help minimize peeling,” advises Dr. Macdonald, “Once the sunburn has healed completely, apply a topical retinoid cream to regulate skin cell turnover and help get rid of damaged cells.”
4. Try BBL!
Enjoy clearer, smoother, glowing skin with BBL (Broadband Light). It is the world’s most powerful IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) device. Targeting skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles and sun damage, BBL stimulates skin cell regeneration, leading to rejuvenated skin.
Before any treatment, we offer a complimentary consultation during which we discuss your concerns and goals, outline treatment options, and develop a customized treatment plan. For more information, please don’t hesitate to call Aurora Skin & Vein at 403-358-5818. You may also fill out the form on our Contact Us page!