A deep nourishing regimen for your sun-scorched skin instead of relying on over-the-counter products requires a series of non-fussy treatments at home.
Sunburn peels are the body’s reaction to prolonged exposure to toxic UV rays. With second-degree sunburn, the blistering effect causes the skin to turn red and peel off. Peeling often implies damage to the dermis—an aftermath of sun exposure which takes a long time to heal. What does the peeling mean? Well, it is your body’s sign of getting rid of the damaged cells. Peeling is the final stage of sunburn and could be pretty persistent if left unattended. While the pain can be reduced with cold showers and hydration, tender care in the days following the burn is mandatory. Soothing and nursing the peeling skin should never be taken for granted.
Thankfully, the peeling stops once the recovery is complete and your skin has somewhat bounced back to health. The entire process could take weeks. Usually, the recovery time is dependent on the severity of the burn and how long you took to care for it.
Here are a few remedies to deal with sunburnt and peeling skin:
Trust the old method to relieve your skin of the day’s toll. A cold shower will not magically cure the peeling but can nonetheless help it to subside over time. If the skin feels hot, swollen, and agonising to touch, cold baths are a must-have. Cold compress is another remedial procedure to resort to especially when you cannot possibly take a shower every now and then. Wrap some ice cubes in a thick cloth bag and apply to the affected areas. It is important to never put ice directly on the burnt areas as it will aggravate the issue by manifold.
Aloe vera gel is renowned for soothing the skin. For burnt and peeling skin, it speeds up the recuperating process by calming and hydrating the region. Aloe vera gel can be applied directly. It is advised to use the natural juice extracted from aloe vera leaves instead of relying on store-bought products which might contain chemical preservatives and consequently flare up the irritation.
Colloidal oatmeal bath requires you to grind oats and sprinkle into a tub of lukewarm water. This ritualistic bath will relieve irritation and dryness and enhance the skin’s ability to retain moisture. This is a giant leap towards your healing process. Oatmeal has Vitamin B3 – essential to add hydration and minerals to the skin. Also, the detoxifying agents render the skin feeling clean and refreshed.
Tight clothes could worsen the peeling and make you feel uncomfortable. To let your skin breathe, wear soft and cotton clothes. Make sure to avoid friction with the cloth. It is also essential not to peel your skin, unintentionally or so. Peeling increases the risks of skin infection and it makes the skin cells vulnerable. This might lead to long-term scarring.
Often, one is tempted to exfoliate the peels to remove the dead skin. Any forced shredding of the peels is bad. The skin should be left to heal on its own following which the peels will shed off naturally. Post-sustaining a sunburn to this extent, your skin is more suspectable to the negative elements of UV rays. This explains why you must exercise extra caution in saving your skin from sun, UV damage, and recurring bouts of peeling. Covering up with skin, using high-SPF sunscreen, staying indoors, and drinking plenty of fluids are the bare minimum skincare regimen to follow.
