Aloe Vera for Sunburns
What Is Sunburn?
Sunburn is caused by an overexposure to ultraviolet light, either from too much sun or from lying in a tanning bed too long. For some people, sunburn can occur within minutes of being in direct sunlight. Usually, the sunburn is not noticed until a few hours after exposure; when the skin becomes red, slightly swollen and mostly always accompanied by pain. After a week or two, the skin will eventually flake or peel off, and form new skin.
Severe sunburns are common, accompanied with extreme pain and swelling, possibly fever and fatigue, as well as, blisters that can appear several days after sun exposure. Blisters can be extremely dangerous, are considered a second-degree burn, and may become infected if not taken care of quickly and properly.
The capillaries that supply the blood to the skin become clogged and swollen when the skin is sunburned, causing the redness of sunburns. Severe sunburn damages the blood vessels and mutilates the elastic fibers in the skin. Excessive sun exposure can cause aging and wrinkling of the skin, and lead to skin cancer; the most common type of cancer.
You must remember though, that sunlight is mandatory for good skin health and your overall wellbeing. The sun is actually not harmful to your skin but the sunburn is. Sunlight must be taken in moderately and regularly. The main reason our bodies need the sun, is that it helps our skin produce vitamin D, which part of our essential health. Going on a daily walk outside is recommended to help treat some skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. Just be sure to avoid the most intense times of the day, usually between 10am to 2pm, and to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
How to Treat Sunburn with Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is often referred to as “the burn plant” and works miracles on all types of burns, especially sunburns. Aloe Vera not only cools and sooths the skin, but it also offers the best natural relief from the pain and swelling, and promotes faster healing. Aloe Vera contains Lignins, a chemical compound that is an intrinsic part of the skin’s cell walls, that helps the skin heal much faster.
Aloe Vera is an effective pain reliever, because it contains salicylic acid, the pain killer agent found in aspirin. Aloe Vera also contains gibberellins and glycans, which are anti-inflammatory agents, which in turn helps promote healing. Aloe Vera comes to the rescue on those severe burns, showing its healing powers by preventing blistering and scarring.
There are a vast variety of Aloe Vera products you can find to help with your sunburns. It is recommended to find an Aloe Vera gel that is 100% natural, with no additives or chemicals, if the Aloe Vera is clear (no coloring), then you probably have a natural product.
If you have an Aloe Vera plant, take as many leaves as necessary and refrigerate them; adding an extra cooling effect when applied to the burned skin. You simply spit the leaves and apply the gel to the cleansed, affected area liberally until condition has been corrected. Whether you use an Aloe plant or an Aloe gel, you may apply the Aloe Vera as often as you like.
