I was so thirsty! A couple of years ago I traveled to a sunny state for business training. Since the water at the hotel was not drinkable, I needed to purchase water to drink to avoid dehydration. Being without a car, I set out on foot to the nearest place that sold water.
Well, I intended to go to the nearest place to avoid dehydration. Since I was tired after a long flight, I took my time getting ready to go. Being somewhat dehydrated did not help the rate at which I moved.
After not finding the store going one direction, I wandered another direction. Finally, with the help of maps on my phone, the store was found, and I had my prized water to drag back to the hotel.
From start to finish, my journey took over an hour in the heat of the day, and to say that I was sunburned was an understatement.
Not having packed my after sun (or sunscreen, for that matter), I resorted to my toothpaste. After applying it a few times, my skin looked so much better. Before you think I’m crazy, my toothpaste has aloe and bee propolis in it, remember? No, I would not use any old toothpaste on my face. 🙂
If you think that getting sunburned is not such a big deal, consider these consequences:
- Peeling
- Blistering of the skin (and possible infection when the blisters pop)
- Wrinkles
- Dehydration of the skin
- Sun spots
- Skin cancer
When you are going outside for a long period of time or traveling to a destination that is sunnier than what is normal for you, here are some tips to avoid permanent sun damage. I’m always a huge advocate of avoiding the problem rather than spending time, energy, and money correcting it.
1. Always plan ahead.
When you need to be out in the sun, plan your activities so that you are not out between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Use that time to be indoors or in the shade as much as possible.
2. Wear long sleeves.
If you do need to be outside for an extended period of time between 10 am and 2 pm, consider wearing long sleeves. Although you may be slightly warmer, your arms will be protected from the sun.
3. Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
A hat will keep you cooler and will shade your skin from the sun. Be sure to get a hat that covers your neck since that is easily sunburned.
4. Use high quality sunscreen.
Most people know that sunscreen is valuable to use in avoiding sunburn, but the sunscreen could be doing nothing for you or, even worse, giving you skin cancer. According to EWG, the worst sunscreens for children are as follows:
- Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
- Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Kids, SPF 70
- Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Sticks, SPF 55.
5. Use a moisturizer with SPF in it.
While you may not remember your sunscreen every day, you do moisturize your face every day. If you spend a good amount of time outside anyway, it would be wise to consider a high quality moisturizer with SPF in it so that at least your face will be protected. You want a moisturizer with aloe, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.
6. After sun exposure, relieve your skin.
Again, you will want aloe to help in this process, and bee propolis, which can help avoid any infections from sunburn. Depending on how damaged your skin is (red or peeling), you will need to re-apply every few hours.
7. Soothe your skin with real aloe vera gel.
You want only the inner leaf of the aloe. As I mentioned in a previous article, there are many “aloe products” in store such as CVS, Walmart, and Target. Even if they have a pretty aloe plant on the bottle, have no aloe content at all, according to a third-party source.
In addition, there are hundreds of species of aloe. You want to use the most medicinal one, Aloe Barbadensis Miller, to soothe your skin as effectively as possible. In addition, go here to read 7 benefits of aloe for you.
Aloe is effective on skin because of its many moisturizers and its natural healing properties. In addition, the skin can easily absorb it. Aloe also penetrates all three layers of your skin for the most optimal results.
Again, depending on your level of sunburn, apply it as often as 3 times a day or more.
If you have blisters or severe damage that is not healing, you will need to see a doctor. That is why avoiding sunburn is the best way to treat it!
If you want to take better care of your skin, especially during the sunny months, I’d love to learn what your challenges are and give you options for solutions. Contact me here right away, and I will get back to you within 24 hours to schedule a private call.
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PS If you have enjoyed reading my articles this year, my friend Wendy of Wendy the Pooh Communications helped me assemble an editorial calendar for a plan of what to write every week. She is an expert communicator and marketer. You can contact her on her website for help with your marketing and social media needs.
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