5 Tips To Prevent The Sun From Burning And Staining Your Skin
If we take any type of medication it is important that we protect ourselves from sunburn, since certain medications can make us more sensitive to the sun and cause irritations, spots or itching
According to the American Cancer Association, sunburn occurs, among other causes, from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays, an invisible form of radiation. Most of us worry about the health and beauty of our skin, because we know that any carelessness can cause different alterations that are not aesthetic.
Day by day, our skin is exposed to different factors that weaken it, dry it out and cause various damages that can be seen in burns and blemishes. But with the proper precautions, we can prevent these sunburns and blemishes that can alter the skin.
Today there are many products to care for the skin and prevent damage caused by the sun. In addition, there are a series of measures that can also help you improve the health of your skin and protect it from sun exposure.
Do you know what types of medications you take?
Many of us do not know it, but drugs such as antidepressants, contraceptives, anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids, among others, are “photosensitizing”. What does this term mean? That increase the risk of sunburn and that spots, itching and even irritations appear when you are exposed to ultraviolet rays.
In case of consuming these medications it is very important to use a good sunscreen to reduce these effects, as recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation:
Waxing 24 hours before sun exposure
Whichever way you shave, they all coincide in leaving the skin healthy, clean and hygienic. However, regardless of the method used, the skin must be protected from the sun for at least 24 hours after waxing. After this time, it is recommended to hydrate the skin very well and use sunscreen.
Increase the consumption of antioxidant and omega-3 foods
Food plays a very important role in the health of the skin and in the impact that the sun can have on it. Increasing the consumption of antioxidant foods helps reduce free radicals, which are responsible for weakening collagen and elastin.
Among the best known and healthiest antioxidants we find beta-carotenes and vitamins A, C and E. These antioxidants can be consumed through foods such as carrots, tomatoes, apricots, spinach, plums or blueberries, among others.
Another essential nutrient for skin health is Omega 3. Supplementation with this type of healthy fat has a photoprotective effect on the skin, as indicated by this research from the Baylor College of Medicine in this regard. You can increase the consumption of this nutrient through oily fish and nuts.
Regularly check moles
The sun is one of the factors that most influences the transformation of moles into melanoma or skin cancer. For this reason, it is important to review them and see if they are evolving. In a place where you can observe every detail, check whether the moles have uneven edges, strange colors, oozing or bleeding.
Of course, it is always necessary to see a doctor if you notice any abnormalities.
Homemade masks to take care of the skin after sun exposure
Masks are a quick and easy way to penetrate the dermis and lower layers. Its utilities range from cleansing to exfoliation, also including hydration after sun exposure.
These masks are a complementary resource and should not replace in any case the protective creams that should be used while we are exposed to the sun.
Yogurt and oatmeal mask
This homemade mask will help you hydrate the skin on your face while removing dead cells. It is important that you apply it at night so that it works long enough to obtain good results.
As this study from the Skin Science Laboratory (Korea) indicates, yogurt can help maintain skin elasticity and retain its natural moisture.
For its part, this research by Dr. Reynerston confirms that oats can help improve dryness, flaking or roughness of the skin.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of plain yogurt (125 g)
- 3 tablespoons of lemon juice (45 ml)
- 1 tablespoon of oatmeal (10 ml)
- 2 strawberries, crushed
How to prepare it?
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and apply the mask on your clean face. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then remove it with cold water.
Oatmeal, honey and banana mask
Another good option to take care of the skin of your face is combining the properties of banana, with oats and honey. These three ingredients nourish and hydrate the skin.
The antiseptic benefits of honey (according to this study from the KPC Medical College and Hospital of India) together with the essential amino acids contained in oats and the carotenes of banana eliminate the dead cells accumulated in the skin.
Ingredients
- 1 small ripe banana
- 5 tablespoons of oats (125 g)
- 1 tablespoon of honey (25 g)
How to prepare it?
Puree the ripe banana and mix it with the oats and honey. Once you form a creamy paste, apply it on your skin and leave it to act for 15 minutes. After the recommended time, remove it with cold water. Repeat this treatment three times a week for good results.
