Sunburn? This Will Give You Immediate Relief

Gourmandize

It's easy to go overboard when soaking up all that hot summer sun. If you're not wearing proper sun protection, you can get a sunburn in as little as 15 minutes of sun exposure.

Sunburns aren't just red, irritated and painful, but they can cause long-term damage and make the skin age quicker.

Sunburns happen when the sun's ultraviolet rays penetrate your skin and damage the DNA of your skin cells; corrupted cells then kill themselves off so they don't turn into cancer. Your body senses this damage and sends in blood to help in the healing process, leading to red, sensitive, inflamed skin.

If you've recently been burned, it's a good idea to treat yourself as soon as possible. First off: get out of the sun! Don't subject your already injured skin to more harm. Then: get healing!

Most people turn to aloe vera after a sunburn, which is great for cooling down hot skin. But other than reducing surface temperature, it doesn't really do much to accelerate the healing process.

To get rid of your sunburn fast, avoid peeling, and even turn it into a tan, try coconut oil. It's a little unorthodox, but we've tried this and found it to be the most effective and efficient way of getting rid of a sunburn. But you have to do it right...

Here are the steps:

1. Clean your skin. Take a shower or use a wet cloth, just make sure the surface of the skin isn't covered in dirt, sweat or sunscreen.
2. Apply a generous amount of coconut oil, and massage it into the burn. If you're oily, you're doing it right. 
3. Rinse off — no soap! — in the shower. 
4. Pat — don't wipe! — dry. 
5. Repeat daily until the burn heals. 

Notes:

• Keep using sunscreen during the day for sun protection, especially if you're still burned. 
• Best apply coconut oil after sun exposure, for example in the evening. Don't apply coconut oil and then step out in the sun!

If you do this immediately after getting burned, you're going to see that painful burn turn into a lovely, healthy tan. Don't believe us? Try it!

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If you liked this article, you should check out these natural ways to lighten your teeth at home.

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