5 Sunburn Soothers

Warmer weather is just around the corner, or for some of us lucky saps, here right now (Seattle has one or two days here and there, just enough to get us excited and then crush our dreams). With the dawning of summer, our pale skin that has been covered up all year, really takes a beating those first couple of outings. Even with the most careful of sunscreen application, sunburns happen. If you, or someone in your family, finds yourself a little red around the edges, here are a few things you can do.

1. Aloe Vera hands down is my number one pick: either directly from the plant or a 100% bottle of gel found at the store. It immediately starts the cooling and helps you feel much better.

2. Ibuprofen. A sunburn is an inflammation, so if you can take some ibuprofen right away, it helps keep the swelling down and thus the pain.

3. Milk bath. Cleopatra had something right with this one! Milk baths are great for you skin and will sooth the summer sizzle. Just take about 1 cup of powdered milk and dump it into the cool running water to dissolve, then just climb in and let it work its wonders.

4. A cool compress. As long as your skin is hot it will continue to burn and get worse. Cool that baby down as quickly as possible with a cool compress.

5. White vinegar. Okay, admittedly I have never tried this one, but I have heard many places that it really works. If you get desperate, give it a try. Mix 1/2 half water with 1/2 white vinegar, then either soak a washcloth in it and put the compress right on the burn or put mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on.

Have a great summer! 

picture taken by kirinqueen