How to lighten sunburned skin: 7 effective remedies

Even today some people do not apply any type of filter on their skin or they do it in a insufficient (most people do not know exactly what type of protection their skin type needs). These oversights make it easy for the sun's ultraviolet radiation to burn us excessively.

It is common that when we get burned our skin becomes red or spots and flaking appear that can not only be unsightly but also painful (after all they are the product of a burn), or that could even become the origin of the beginning of a melanoma.

In order to treat these excesses of melanin and help that part of the body recover its usual appearance as soon as possible, throughout this article we will see several effective remedies to lighten sunburned skin once the redness has passed or when it is already passing.

• Related article: "The 4 types of skin (and how to care for them)"

Effective remedies to lighten sunburned skin

Sunburn can appear in the form of spots in specific places where the sun has been concentrated. radiation on poorly protected skin or appear in the form of large reddened areas of our skin,

when the ability of epithelial cells to generate melanin is exceeded to prevent UV radiation from causing damage.

It is common that when this happens, spots appear on our burned skin. In order to treat these spots, below we will review different effective remedies to reduce the affectation and return our skin to its natural color.

1. Avoid the sun

It may seem obvious, but this element is essential to prevent the burn from becoming more serious. It is necessary to protect the burned area and avoid direct exposure to solar radiation. While it is not something that lightens the skin or heals directly, it does allow the body itself to regenerate itself and shrink or at least not get worse.

2. Aloe vera

One of the most widely accepted products in the treatment of sunburn, to the point that many cosmetics, sun creams and aftersun incorporate it, is aloe vera.

The use of this plant, either in lotion or in extract, helps to regenerate the skin in addition to lightening the spots that appear on it and reducing the swelling and irritation of the burned area. Its regular use is recommended, on a daily basis.

3. Recovery from food: hydration and products rich in vitamins

An essential part both to improve the situation of the burn and to lighten the scorched skin goes through help your body repair the injured area. In this sense, hydration of the person is essential, both by drinking water and consuming fruits such as watermelon or orange.

Also, it is highly recommended eating foods rich in vitamin C (useful in the production of collagen) and D (protects against external aggressions and dehydration of the skin), as well as A (which strengthens the skin's defenses and facilitates healing) and E (a great antioxidant that hinders skin aging), all of them relevant vitamins in the regeneration of the skin. Among them, products such as the aforementioned orange, kiwi, cucumber or grapes, avocado, fish or dairy, eggs or wheat are recommended.

4. Baths with oatmeal

Another remedy with proven efficacy to treat and lighten burned skin is to use oatmeal to clean it. Is about an anti-inflammatory substance that respects the skin and natural fat of the body, not damaging the injured areas and producing improvement. It is recommended to incorporate it in warm or cold baths, and stay in said water for about twenty minutes once a week. It is one of the simplest and most natural remedies to lighten burned skin.

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5. Very gentle exfoliation

Although in this case this remedy is controversial, since it can have the opposite effect to the desired one, another way to return your habitual tone to burned skin goes through exfoliation, that is, the removal of the remains of dead or injured skin in order from promote oxygenation of the skin that is still healthy, accelerating the regeneration of the area.

The use of gentle exfoliants (such as compounds with aloe vera or oatmeal) is recommended, which allow removing the remains without tearing the living skin in the process and without worsening the injury. On the contrary, the use of more powerful exfoliants can be harmful and worsen the situation, being contraindicated.

6. Cold water or milk compress

Refreshing and keeping the burned area hydrated is another remedy that helps us control the burn and reduce redness and stinging. In this sense, it is considered advisable to take cold showers or use cold water compresses for about a quarter of an hour.

Another remedy that is very widespread is to use compresses soaked with milk. Now, although this has the advantage that it can act as an anti-inflammatory, the lactic acid itself can end up irritating and damaging the tissue.

7. Lemon, chamomile, parsley, papaya, yogurt, cucumber, or egg white

These foods are natural skin bleaches and can be helpful in reducing redness caused by sun spots, when used topically. Infusions (for example with chamomile or parsley), creams or masks (such as papaya, or yogurt mixed with cucumber) can be used.

However, it should be noted that in products such as lemon, the acid it contains can become irritating, so if it is used it must be reduced with water.

Bibliographic references:

• Balk SJ, Council on Environmental Health, Section on Dermatology (March 2011). "Ultraviolet radiation: a hazard to children and adolescents". Pediatrics. 127 (3): e791–817.
• Maenthaisong, R; Chaiyakunapruk, N; Niruntraporn, S; Kongkaew, C (September 2007). "The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review". Burns: Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries. 33 (6): 713–8.