Sunburn Peeling
Sunburn Peeling: Definition, Prevention and Treatment
The famous sunburn peeling is a natural defense mechanism of our skin. To prevent dangerous sun rays to enter the body, our body simply thickens the outer skin layer which consists primarily of dead cells. These cells then start to peel off gradually which is the sunburn peeling everybody dreads.
What many people don't know is that the thickening process commences even when no sunburn is present. The fact that the skin starts to peel off is a serious sign of damage - this article helps you to understand what exactly is going on and how bad sunburn peeling really is for your skin.
UV-Rays
We hear it on TV, we read it in magazines, and doctors keep telling us: Put sun protection on before you leave the house! But why is that necessary?
The rays that cause sunburns are called UV-rays. These rays come directly from the sun and they literally kill your skin cells. As a reaction to that, your body has to thicken up and constantly get rid of the massive amount of dead cells by peeling them away. The principle is exactly the same as a normal burn, for example when you touch a hot stove by accident. Your body is constantly trying to eliminate the dead skin cells because if it fails to do so, they may develop into a cancerous tumor.
Prevention
Especially when we go on vacation we tend to lie in the sun for hours to get nice and tanned. But there are certain rules that must be followed to ensure safety and avoid skin damage. Here are some of the best tips to avoid sunburn:
1 Don't start long tanning sessions in the first few days- rather have short sunbathing outings of no longer than 5-10minutes.
2 Especially at the beginning you must spend most of your day in the shade. You will still get a tan, but a much friendlier one.
3 Avoid the midday sun; it is the most dangerous time to tan. Between 11am and 3pm, even sitting in the shade is not enough protection. The rays are extremely strong at this time, killing a massive amount of your skin cells.
4 When you put on sun cream, do it while sitting in the shade and wait at least 30minutes before you move into the sun. Even if the sky is cloudy, put on sun cream!
5 Wear protective clothing and a hat when you walk around in the sun.
6 Sun cream is an additional, not a primary sun protector. Clothing and shade are much for effective to protect your skin.
7 When you buy sun cream, buy a high protection and ensure that it has sun blockers to fight UV rays. Children and people with fair skin need very high sun protection of at least 30.
8 Water bundles up rays and make them even more dangerous. When you swim or dive, it is absolutely vital that you have waterproof sun protection on which you must put on before and after being in the water.
9 If you need both sun protection and insect spray, put the sun cream on first and spray afterwards.
Sunburn Peeling: Treatment
If you experience sunburn peeling despite all efforts, you must stay in the shade at all times and avoid direct exposure to the sun altogether. After-sun lotions can help as immediate relief, but they are not suitable once the skin starts peeling. Yoghurt can cool the skin down, and you should avoid any oily creams or remedies. Use Aloe Vera products, and if the peeling is also accompanied by blisters or discharge, you must seek medical attention.
A chemist may be able to give you a cream that is both oil-free and cools down the burnt parts.
Remember that when your skin starts peeling, your tan will also be gone. So rather tan slowly and healthily, and don’t try a dangerous quick fix.