How to lighten sunburned skin: 7 effective remedies

Remedies to help the skin return to its natural color and regenerate well.

Even today some people do not apply any type of filter on their skin or do it 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 get burned our skin turns red or we get spots and flaking that can not only be unaesthetic but also painful (after all, they are the result of a burn), or that could even be the origin of the beginning of a melanoma.

In order to treat these excesses of melanin and help this part of the body to regain its usual appearance as soon as possible, this article will look at several ways of treating them. effective remedies for lightening sunburned skin once the redness has passed or when it is already passing.

Effective remedies to lighten sunburned skin.

Sunburn can appear in the form of spots in specific places where 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 in order to prevent ultraviolet radiation to prevent ultraviolet radiation from causing damage.

It is common for spots to appear on our burned skin when this occurs. In order to treat these spots, we will now review different effective remedies to diminish the affectation and return our skin to its natural color.

1. Avoid the sun

It may seem obvious, but this element is essential to prevent the burn from becoming more severe. It is necessary to protect the burned area and avoid direct exposure to solar radiation.. While it is not something that clears the skin or heals directly, it does allow the body itself to regenerate itself and reduce or at least not worsen.

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 incorporate it, is aloe vera.

The use of this plant, whether in lotion or extract, helps to regenerate the skin, as well as lightening the spots on it. in addition to lighten the spots that appear on it and reduce swelling and irritation of the burned area. Its regular use is recommended on a daily basis.

3. Recovery from food: moisturizing and vitamin-rich products

An essential part of both improving the burn situation and clearing up the burned skin involves helping the body itself to repair the injured area.. In this sense, it is essential to hydrate the person, both by drinking water and consuming fruits such as watermelon or orange.

In addition, it is highly recommended the 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 facilitates healing) and E (a great antioxidant that hinders skin aging), all relevant vitamins in the regeneration of the skin. Among them are recommended products such as orange, kiwi, cucumber or grapes, avocado, fish or dairy products, eggs or wheat.

4. Oatmeal baths

Another remedy with proven efficacy to treat and lighten burned skin is to use oatmeal in its cleansing. It is an Anti-Inflammatory an anti-inflammatory substance that respects the skin and the natural fat of the body, not damaging the injured areas and producing improvement. It is recommended to incorporate it in warm or cold baths, and to stay in such water for about 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, since it can have the opposite effect to the desired one, another way to restore its usual tone to burned skin goes through exfoliation, i.e. the removal of the remains of dead or injured skin in order to favor the oxygenation of the still healthy skin, accelerating the regeneration of the area..

The use of mild exfoliants (such as those composed with aloe vera or oatmeal) is recommended, allowing the removal of debris without tearing off the living skin in the process and without worsening the lesion. 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

Refreshing and keeping the burned area hydrated is another remedy that helps us to control the burn. helps us to control the burn and reduce the redness and itching. In this sense, it is considered advisable to take cold showers or use compresses with cold water for about a quarter of an hour.

Another widespread remedy is to use compresses soaked in milk. However, 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 to reduce redness caused by sunspots when used topically. Infusions (for example with chamomile or parsley), creams or masks (such as papaya, or yogurt mixed with cucumber) can be used.

It should be noted, however, that in products such as lemon, the acid it contains can become irritating, so if used, it should be reduced with water.

Bibliographical references:

• Balk SJ, Council on Environmental Health, Section on Dermatology (March 2011). "Ultraviolet radiation: a hazard to children and adolescents". Pediatrics. 127 (3): e791-817.
• Maenthaisong, R; Chaiyakunapruk, N; Niruntraporn, S; Kongkaew, C (September 2007). "The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review". Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries. 33 (6): 713–8.