8 Facts About Sunburn and Skin Sunspots
Understanding sunburn and skin sunspots can help you take better care of your skin. Here are some important facts to keep in mind.
Damage Occurs From UVA and UVB
Ultraviolet radiation comes in two types that affect your skin: UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B). When choosing a sunscreen, ensure it offers protection from both types. Look for labels indicating “broad-spectrum protection,” which means it defends against both UVA and UVB rays.
UVB Rays May Be Good For You
While UVB rays are known as the ‘tanning’ rays, they can be beneficial. They penetrate the epidermis, the top layer of skin, to help produce vitamin D and melanin, the pigment that tans and protects your skin.
Excessive Ray Exposure Leads to Damage
Too much UVB exposure results in sunburn. Repeated sunburns do more than just cause blisters and peeling; they can lead to squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, two of the most common forms of skin cancer.
UVA Rays Are the Most Damaging
UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, the lower layer of skin. Overexposure to UVA is linked to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Know SPF Language
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, tells you how much longer your skin will take to burn with the sunscreen applied. For instance, an SPF 20 sunscreen means your skin takes 20 times longer to redden compared to unprotected skin.
Be Discriminatory Toward Certain Sunscreens
Avoid sunscreens with harmful chemicals like avobenzone, fragrance, oxybenzone, parabens, or vitamin A in the form of retinyl palmitate. These substances can release skin-damaging free radicals when exposed to UV rays.
Look for Sunspots
Sunspots tend to appear on skin regularly exposed to the sun and can be darker or lighter than your normal skin tone. They can be flat or raised, sometimes causing a slight itching or a scaly appearance.
Be Aware of Blisters
Blisters indicate severe skin damage. While you can carefully drain them, avoid peeling the skin to prevent infections and additional discomfort.
Natural Sunburn Relief and Remedies
Here are some natural home remedies to soothe sunburned skin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is excellent for calming burns and soothing the skin. You can purchase fresh aloe vera gel or use it directly from an aloe vera plant. Apply the gel to your skin before and after peeling to promote faster healing and stimulate cell regeneration for sunspot recovery.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that moisturize your skin. It also contains vitamin E, which helps repair and nourish your skin.
Milk
Just like coconut oil, milk contains fatty acids that moisturize the skin. It also soothes sunburn and lightens sunspots. Soak a gauze pad in milk and dab it directly onto your burnt skin or over sunspots for relief.
Sandalwood and Turmeric Paste
This Ayurvedic remedy combines sandalwood and turmeric to treat burns and inflamed skin. Mix equal amounts of these herbs with a bit of water to form a paste. Apply it to your sunburn for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with cool water.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel acts as an astringent, providing relief from inflammation. Apply it frequently by dipping gauze or cotton balls into the liquid and wiping it over the affected areas.
Soothe Your Skin with Ozonated Olive Oil
For faster healing of sunburns, ozonated olive oil is a fantastic remedy. It speeds up burn healing and helps keep wounds clean. This oil delivers both olive oil and oxygen to the skin, soothing nerves and reducing swelling and redness while promoting skin cell growth.
Here’s what some of my customers say:
“I use it as a night cream daily; for quicker healing of wounds due to improved circulation, on sunspots and sun-damaged skin.” – Hilda
“After nearly a month of daily usage, her skin lightened, evened out, and the sun damage spotting on her upper cheeks has faded.” – Tasia
Have you ever used ozonated olive oil or other natural remedies for sunspots or sunburns? Share your thoughts with the community below.