While many people try to be conscious of the damages caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays, the intensity of the summer's rays, coupled with longer days and outdoor activities, can cause anyone to get sunburned. Peeling skin is not only uncomfortable and unsightly, but a sign of skin damage. It is the sloughing of burned skin that is now dead to make way for new skin underneath.
Step 1
Pour a handful of colloidal oatmeal inside a handkerchief and secure with a rubber band.
Step 2
Take a cool shower and scrub your body with the handkerchief containing the oatmeal, which has been used for skin health and beauty since the days of ancient Egypt. It has many nutrients that help skin restore its normal pH and create a moisture barrier, points out the Active Naturals Institute.
Step 3
Apply a coating of aloe vera gel on your skin. If you can't break a leaf from an aloe vera plant, use a gel that does not contain any alcohol, perfumes or coloring. Aloe vera protects skin, controls inflammation and helps repair cells that have been damaged by radiation. Continue applying aloe vera throughout the day.
Step 4
Apply vitamin B12 cream at night. While few studies have been conducted, there some very promising clinical tests have shown regeneration of sunburned skin, according to Optima Cosmetic.
Step 5
Nourish your body to heal your skin. A diet high in protein and antioxidant fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, berries, watermelon, peppers and onions, will help your skin's repair process. So does eating foods rich in essential fatty acids such as flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, olives, olive oil, chicken, nuts, salmon, sardines and tuna.
Tips and Warnings
- Drink 12 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated and taut and to minimize peeling.
- See a health care professional if you develop blisters, fever, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or lightheadedness. These are symptoms of a more serious sunburn that needs medical attention.
Things You'll Need
- Colloidal Oatmeal
- Handkerchief
- Rubber band
- Aloe vera gel
- Vitamin B12 cream
