This post may be coming a bit late to many of you but life has been busy so I’m just getting myself together enough to get this post to you now.
As you all know by now (and even if you are new here you probably know this) I am a ginger. A red headed being with pail freckle filled skin that turns a horrible angry red when exposed to the sun. I also have been known to get heat frustration and swell up like a balloon, so I think I am a pretty good source for sun burn relief. I’m pretty sure I have tried nearly everything at least once.
First and foremost try to not get sun burnt. It is about the most unpleasant experience you can imagine, but as life goes, things happen and if you ever find yourself in this kind of bind here are a few things to try.
- Drink A LOT of water. For some reason this remedy is always skipped over but it is so very important. Your body is losing water at a high rate while it tries to heal and repair. Keep yourself hydrated and you will heal so much faster.
- Get out of the sun and into a cool shower or bath. It will cool down your skin and add a bit of hydration.
- Another thing you can add to your bath to help repair burnt skin is apple cider vinegar. It’s great for skin and healing. You can also try drinking it.
- Freshly brewed tea that has been cooled down is supposed to draw heat from the skin while restoring the PH balance, which will help you heal faster.
- Lemon Juice. As if you don’t already have enough stuff going on in your bath already try adding some lemon juice. I also like to put it on the affected area with a cloth. This is my favorite remedy, and I honestly feel like I see the most results from it.
- Aloe is the age old classic, However I have found that the store bought bottle pales in comparison to the stuff straight from the plant. Get yourself a plant and let it grow big and strong, it will freshen the air in your house and be there when you need it.
- Cool Milk Compress made with a clean cloth can help create a protein barrier for your skin so it heals faster, and hurts less.
- Baking soda is another method that I haven’t personally tried but I know people who swear by it. Just combine baking soda and water to make a water paste and apply to the skin with a cloth. Let it set for as long as possible before gently rinsing.
- Avoid soap that can potentially dry your skin out as it dries. And once your blisters have gone away begin to use moisturizer to help along the final stages of healing.
- Ibuprofen – this won’t help your skin heal, but it can reduce the pain that you feel and the swelling from a sun burn, so keep some nearby and rest up.
There you have it straight from a real life ginger. I really hope none of you have to use these remedies any time so, but if you do, know that they are here.