Six Natural Ways to Heal from a Sunburn for Men

Being in the sun during the peak of summer is quite exhilarating and liberating. However, it’s important to note that too much exposure to sunlight can do more harm than good. Whether you’re a frequent or occasional visitor to the pool, you will most likely get sunburnt at some point. Whether it's intentional for a photo shoot or unintentional as a result of careless tanning habits, getting burned from prolonged UV exposure can be painful and uncomfortable. Moreover, excessive UV exposure may also leave your skin prone to various long-term effects such as accelerated aging and skin cancer. Read on to find out how you can heal faster and avoid this uncomfortable situation in the future - with these 6 natural tips! 

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial when healing from a sunburn as it helps your body restore its natural hydration levels and flush out toxins. Because of the increased exposure to sunlight, your body will have to work harder to regulate your internal temperature, which can increase your water loss. This is why you must ensure you stay hydrated with plenty of water or other hydrating liquids such as coconut water, fresh fruit juices (especially watermelons), and other electrolyte-rich beverages like Gatorade.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a popular remedy for sunburns as it contains potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe burnt and damaged skin. Aloe vera is also effective in healing sunburns because it contains salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and natural anti-inflammatory agent that is often used as an active ingredient in over-the-counter acne treatments. If you’re suffering from a sunburn, apply aloe vera to areas of your skin that are affected. You can also try consuming aloe vera juice or tea to help ease the redness and pain of your sunburn.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help calm sunburned skin. Cucumbers contain a high level of silica, which is an anti-inflammatory mineral that inhibits your body’s natural inflammatory response and can help reduce the redness of your sunburn. Silica is also beneficial for the treatment of wrinkles and reducing the appearance of aging. Cucumbers can be applied in different ways depending on your level of discomfort and convenience. You can either mash up the cucumber and apply it as a face mask, or slice it up and soak it in water as a soothing and hydrating compress.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile has been used for centuries for its numerous benefits and medicinal properties. It’s a great remedy for sunburns as it contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that aid in healing damaged skin and reducing the appearance of redness and inflammation. Chamomile also has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties that help combat bacterial infections and prevent infections from forming. Choosing to drink chamomile tea to soothe sunburn is a great alternative to topical application as it can be consumed without any hassle and mess. Alternatively, you can also choose to apply chamomile tea compresses to areas of your skin affected by your sunburn.

Dark green veggies

Eating plenty of dark green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and kale can help ease the symptoms of your sunburn and expedite the healing process. While these vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals beneficial for your skin and overall health, they are also high in iron. Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, the substance found in red blood cells that carries oxygen to various parts of the body. Since your skin is one of the major organs that require oxygen, eating a diet rich in iron can help reduce the redness and inflammation of your sunburn by increasing the flow of blood to your skin.

Use a Sunburn Relief Spray

Using a sunburn relief spray can be a great alternative to topical treatments as it is easy to apply and convenient. Sunburn relief sprays are formulated with cooling and soothing ingredients that relieve the symptoms of your sunburn. These include aloe vera, calamine, menthol, and Vitamin E. Sprays can be applied directly to sunburned skin and are best used for areas that are hard to reach like your back or legs.

Cool Showers

Cool showers are a natural and inexpensive way to soothe your sunburn and help it heal faster. Cool water contains lower levels of solubility and can help calm sunburned skin by reducing redness and swelling. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and swelling. Cool showers can be applied as a part of your daily skincare routine. You can also try alternating hot and cold showers to maximize their soothing effects.

Eat food rich in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps combat UV-induced skin damage and may even reduce the risk of skin cancer. You can consume more foods rich in Vitamin C to help heal your sunburn more quickly. Some examples of rich sources include kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries. You can also try making a healthy smoothie with plenty of these fruits to get your daily dose of Vitamin C and speed up your sunburn’s healing time.

Don't forget your Sunscreen

Even if you’re not planning on stepping out into the sun, you should still apply sunscreen wherever you go outside to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Using sunscreen is especially important for people with fair and sensitive skin who are more susceptible to sunburns. If you’ve already been sunburnt, remember to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher as it can help prevent further sun damage and reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation.

Keep the cap on!

Finally, we've saved the best for last! Never forget to apply sunscreen on areas of your body that are not easily reachable like the back of your neck, the tops of your ears, and the soles of your feet. Keep the cap on when you're applying sunscreen to these areas, and don't forget to apply sunscreen on your scalp too! Now that you know how to heal from a sunburn, make sure that you don’t forget these tips and always wear sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside. These six natural tips can help you heal faster and prevent further damage to your skin.