How To Avoid Sunburn Naturally

How to avoid sunburn when you are on the beach or stuck in the traffic? Sunburn can happen in any season even in cloudy days. Sunburn is the skin's reaction to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. You can see sunlight and feel heat (infrared radiation), but you can't see or feel UV radiation. It can damage your skin even on cool, cloudy days.

Sunburn is a radiation burn to the skin. The signs of sunburn can start to appear in less than 15 minutes and skin can turn red within two to six hours of being burnt. It will continue to develop for the next 24 to 72 hours and, depending on the severity and can take days or weeks to heal. Sunburn will become worse with more exposure to UV rays. Mild sunburn can be treated at home, but severe and blistered sunburn requires prompt medical attention.

The long-term effects of repeated bouts of sunburn include premature wrinkling and an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma (the most dangerous type of skin cancer). Once DNA damage occurs, it is impossible to reverse. This is why prevention is much better than cure.

To prevent sunburn, use a combination of sun protection measures during the sun protection times each day (when the UV levels are forecast to reach higher levels). People who work outdoors for long periods of time may need sun protection all year, as they have an increased risk of skin cancer. 

What Are The Symptoms of Sunburn?

The symptoms of sunburn include:

• changes in skin colour, ranging from pink to red and even purple
• skin that feels hot to the touch
• pain and/or itching
• swelling
• fluid-filled blisters that may itch and eventually pop or break
• broken blisters that peel to reveal even more tender skin beneath.

Sunburnt skin will change colour within two to six hours of being burnt and the colour change will continue to develop for up to seventy-two hours.

What Is UV Radiation And Sunburn?

In addition to light and heat, the sun gives out invisible UV radiation. UV radiation can pass through light cloud. It can also be scattered in the air and reflected by surfaces such as buildings, concrete, sand and snow.

The three types of UV radiation (based on wavelength) are UVA, UVB and UVC. The earth's atmosphere absorbs nearly all of UVC radiation (the most dangerous type) before it reaches the ground. UVA and UVB radiation are both involved in sunburn, but skin reacts differently to each type of radiation:-

• UVA- ultraviolet A (UVA) ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 320 and 400 nm, comprising over 99 per cent of suchradiation that reaches the surface of the earth. It penetrates into the deeper skin layers and damages the sites where new skin cells are generated. Too much UVA radiation leads to roughening, dryness, blotchiness, wrinkling and sagging of the skin. High doses of UVA radiation can also cause sunburn, damage to genes in skin cells and skin cancer.
• UVB- ultraviolet B (UVB) ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 290 and 320 nm, comprising less than 1 per cent ofthe ultraviolet radiation that reaches the earth's surface. It is even more dangerous than UVA radiation, causing tanning, burning, ageing, skin damage and significantly promoting the development of skin cancer. It affects the surface skin layer. The skin responds by releasing chemicals that dilate blood vessels. This causes fluid leakage and inflammation – better known as sunburn.
• UVC - Ultraviolet C (UVC) is a type of ultraviolet energy in the 280 – 100 nanometer frequency.

How To Treat Sunburn?

There is no cure for the symptoms of sunburn except time and patience. Treatment aims to help manage the symptoms while the body heals.

Following tips or suggestions for sunburn treatment are:

• Drink plenty of water, because spending time in the sun can lead to dehydration as well as sunburn.

• Gently apply cool or cold compresses, or bathe the area in cool water.

• Avoid using soap as this may irritate your skin.

• Speak to a pharmacist about products that help soothe sunburn. Choose spray-on solutions rather than creams which require rubbing in by hand.

• Don't pop blisters. Consider covering itchy blisters with a wound dressing to reduce the risk of infection.

• If your skin is not too painful, apply moisturizer. This won't stop the burnt skin from peeling off, but it will help boost the moisture content of the skin beneath. Do not apply butter to sunburnt skin.

• Take over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, if necessary.

• Keep out of the sun until your skin has completely healed.

How To Reduce The Risk of Sunburn?

During the daily sun protection times, use a combination of five sun protection measures to reduce your risk of sunburn.

• Slip – on sun-protective clothing (make sure it covers as much skin as possible).

• Slop – on SPF (sun protection factor) 30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant                sunscreen. Apply 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours.

• Slap – on a broad-brimmed hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears.

• Seek – shade.

• Slide – good quality sunglasses

How To Avoid Getting Sunburnt?

• Don't assume that sun exposure is safe when you can't feel it sting your skin – that sting or bite is heat, not UV radiation. If you're not sure, don't chance it – check the sun protection times for your location.

• UV radiation levels aren't linked to temperature. Don't rely on the temperature to gauge when you need sun protection. Check the sun protection times each day and Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! and Slide!

• You can get sunburnt when you're relaxing and taking it easy, such as watching outdoor sports, picnicking at the park or while playing sports.

• Winter activities, such as snow skiing and snowboarding pose a high risk of sunburn because UV radiation is already higher in alpine regions than at sea level. Snow is also very efficient at reflecting UV radiation.

• What many people assume is 'windburn' is actually sunburn. While wind can dry the skin, it doesn't burn.

• A tan doesn't protect against skin and eye damage, or the risk of skin cancer.

• Babies under 12 months should not be exposed to direct UV and should be well protected from the sun. Always try to keep babies and children in the shade and use clothing to cover most of their body. Use small amounts of child-friendly sunscreen on uncovered areas such as the face and hands whenever children are exposed to the sun.

The sun's UV radiation is the major cause of skin cancer and the best natural source of vitamin D, which is needed for strong bones and overall health. But it is important to keep your skin healthy while taking vitamin D from Sun. 

Source: Internet.