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Tip of the week: treat a sunburn correctly
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Photo: SXC
No matter how hard you try, the occasional summer sunburn is inevitable. Aside from being painful, sunburns can cause long term damage to the skin if left untreated. Keeping an after-sun product at home is a summertime necessity.
Do’s and Don’ts
Apply a cold compress to a sunburn to help cool it down, but never apply ice directly to the skin. This can cause a burn from the intense cold. You should also avoid the temptation to apply a thick cream…this can trap heat in the skin and slow down the healing process! Ibuprofen can help with discomfort.
Ingredients
Aloe vera, of course, is a commonly used main ingredient because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. But look for after-sun products that contain additional ingredients for maximum benefit. Antioxidants are important to help neutralize damaged skin cells, and Algae Extract can help speed the recovery process.
Avoid products contain S.D. Alcohol…it dries the skin during a time that you want to add moisture! You also don’t want fragrance on the ingredient list. This can irritate skin that is already aggravated, and certainly provides no benefit.
Getting more bang for your buck
Remember this: post-sun products are designed to heal the skin. That means its uses are limitless. Apply it after waxing. Use it to calm a wind burn after snow skiing. As an added bonus, store it in the refrigerator! The cooler temperature will help calm irritated skin.
Of course, the best treatment is to not get a burn in the first place!
Consult a physician if your burn is severe and/or accompanied by nausea, chills, headaches, etc.
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