Dermatologist urges Brits to avoid sunburn 'hack' that makes pain a lot worse
The sun is still shining for many parts of the UK this weekend, and while most of us know the importance of slathering on the suncream to make sure our skin is protected, some of us will still come home with bright red skin after a day at the beach.
Sunburn is most commonly treated with an aftersun product, but if you don't have any to hand, there are also several home remedies that people swear by to help alleviate the pain and the itchy sensation associated with the burns.
However, according to dermatology experts, there's one hack you should never try when it comes to treating sunburn, as it could make your skin even hotter and even more itchy - and can make the pain way worse.
You should never put Vaseline on a sunburn (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The British Skin Foundation says you should absolutely never put Vaseline on your sunburn, because although you might think that the product will help moisturise your skin, it actually creates a barrier between the skin and the air, stopping you from releasing heat and being able to sweat.
Ultimately, this means your skin will become hotter and itchier - so it isn't advised as a sunburn cure.
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'
Vaseline is a common skincare product and is hailed by many for its ability to help relieve dry skin - especially on the eyelids and lips - and to prevent chafing, but it should never be used on sunburnt skin.
The British Skin Foundation said: "Be wary of using creams or lotions that contain petroleum, benzocaine, or lidocaine. These can either trap heat in the skin or cause local skin irritation."
However, if you do want to alleviate your burning skin with a home remedy, Dr Nisith Sheth from the British Skin Foundation claimed that oats and oatmeal are great at reducing inflammation.
You can add a cup of oats to your bath water to make a soothing oat bath to help relieve your sunburnt skin, although you should make sure the water is lukewarm or cool before you get in.
Dr Sheth said: "Oats - and oatmeal - have been well known to reduce inflammation, and they're in some commercial brands to treat things like eczema, because of its anti-inflammatory effects."
And we previously reported there are a whole host of natural remedies you can try to help cure your sunburn, many of which can be found in your own fridge.
Pharmacist Parvinder Sagoo said foods such as cucumber, carrot, and Greek yoghurt can either be eaten or applied to the skin to help combat your tomato-red glow.
Although at-home remedies for sunburn can be helpful, it's important to do what you can to avoid getting burnt in the first place - as sun damage can have long-lasting effects on your skin.
According to the NHS, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours while enjoying the weather outside, as the sun can dry the cream off of your skin.
If you take a dip in a pool or in the sea, you will need to reapply your sunscreen as soon as you get out of the water, and it's good to get into the habit of doing so even if you're wearing sunscreen that says it's water resistant.
Beauty fans 'love' £11 serum that gets rid of skin blemishes and acne overnight
You should also try to remain in the shade when the sun is at its strongest, which is between 11 am and 3 pm from March to October in the UK, and it is also advised that you cover up with a t-shirt, hat, and sunglasses.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
