Liz Seal Holistic Massage
How lovely is it to see the sunshine?
The sky is blue and our mood is often lifted by the sight of the sun in the sky! However, too much time spent out in the sun can lead to the familiar reddening and tightening of exposed, unprotected skin. Sunburn…
The best way to treat sunburn is to avoid over-exposure, but we have all fallen foul to this condition from time to time. I remember on a holiday, religiously covering myself in sun cream, only to realise hours later that I’d missed my ears! Sleeping with sunburned ears was interesting to say the least!
Sunburn is characterised by reddened, itchy and tender areas of skin. In severe cases the area can become lobster red, with acute pain, blistering and peeling. Sunburn is actually a type of radiation burn and can be caused by over-exposure to direct UV light (eg from sunbeds) or reflected light (eg from mountain snow or water). Fair skinned people and children with more delicate skin are generally more susceptible to burning, so more precautions should be taken.
Treating Sunburn
Dehydration is another problem associated with over-exposure to the sun, so make sure you drink plenty of water when its hot and sunny. If you have a tendency to burning, increasing the levels of B vitamins, especially PABA (para amino benzoic acid) can increase your tolerance. This is a part of the folic acid family, and can be found naturally in whole grains, green leafy vegetables like spinach, and some meat, especially offal.
Effective sunscreen is always recommended, along with keeping covered in extreme sun conditions. However, if you are exposed to too much sun, and the skin is burned, there are soothing essential oils and nourishing carrier oils that can relieve the symptoms and promote healing. Essential oils rich in esters (the chemical component which is best for the skin). These include Chamomile, Lavender and Sandalwood. Adding the cooling and anaesthetic properties of Peppermint would soothe damaged skin. Many carrier oils are rich in vitamins, which help to repair and regenerate the skin. Macadamia carrier oil contains palmitoleic acid, which is a compound similar to sebum, while wheatgerm carrier oil is high in Vitamin E which helps to regenerate the skin. (Please note, any oil based product will amplify the effect of the sun, do not apply then go back into the sunshine!)
For more information on how aromatherapy can repair and restore the skin, please contact me.