Aloe vera is known for its healing properties. For thousands of years, its clear gel has been used to treat minor skin conditions, including burns and rashes. Today, people continue to use it to heal sunburn. How aloe vera helps sunburn?
Keep reading to know more.
How Aloe Vera Helps Sunburn?
With its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe has become a gold standard for treating sunburns at home.
Sunburn is painful. You will wind up having tight, red painful skin. If you continue the practice of sun poisoning, you’re increasing your risk of skin cancer. Plus, it can lead to premature aging.
Here’s how aloe vera works to treat your sunburn.
- Alleviate inflammation. This succulent plant can reduce swelling, pain, and redness because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway to create an anti-inflammatory effect. When applied topically, the brady kinase in the plant also reduces inflammation.
- Encourage collagen production. It improves the appearance of sunburn by activating collagen production. It also improves dryness and elasticity.
- Retain Moisture. Aloe’s mucopolysaccharides can help in retaining moisture in the skin. The amino acid content in this plant helps in softening hardened skin cells.
- Ease pain. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can alleviate pain while preventing infection from arising.
- Neutralize free radicals. This happens because of the numerous vitamins and minerals in the plant. It has antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals. As a result, it decreases sun damage.
Read: How Aloe Vera Works on Skin?
How Often Should You Apply Aloe Vera When Sunburnt?
Aloe vera causes blood vessels to contract. Thus, the gel of the plant gets rid of the redness and sting of the sunburn.
You may have to apply this gel up to six times a day for a few days. It eases the pain while it moisturizes the skin. It also minimizes peeling.
However, you must stay well hydrated. This will ensure a faster recovery. Keep in mind that when you have sunburn, it hastens moisture loss. Thus, you need to drink plenty of water.
Read: How to Use It to the Hair?
Can Aloe Heal Sunburn Overnight?
Unfortunately, aloe vera can’t heal sunburn overnight. It takes time for your skin to heal. However, it slowly takes away the pain.
To facilitate healing, you may also cool your skin down with a cold shower. Take a cold shower when your skin feels hot. Or take cool baths to help with sunburn.
Trap the water on your skin by applying a moisturizer with aloe vera after your cool bath. Some dermatologists also recommend soaking a compress in ice cubes or water and applying it to the affected area.
Or you may apply lotion with aloe vera gel. This product will also soothe the skin. Some topical lotion with aloe vera can provide your skin with a cooling or soothing effect. A lotion with aloe vera can give you that cool feeling that you need after burning your skin from the heat of the sun.
On the other hand, if the sunburn is too painful, you may want to remedy it by taking an anti-inflammatory pill. You may take ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and alleviate associated with this condition.
Read: Benefits of Drinking Aloe Vera
Stay Away from the Sun
As your skin is healing from sunburn, make sure that you stay away from the sun. Even if you have already topically applied aloe vera. As mentioned, you need to stay hydrated as you deal with a sunburn.
Remember that the burn draws fluid to the skin surface. To offset the loss, you must drink plenty of water.
If you need to go out, slather extra sunscreen. And always stay in the shade.
How Does Aloe Vera Remove Sunburn?
The clear gel has a healing property that can be useful in treating sunburn. Some studies showed that this gel can heal first to second-degree burns. Thus, it can effetely treat mild to moderate sunburns.
The plant has aloin, which is said to be responsible for aloe’s anti-inflammatory properties.
To get the full benefits of aloe vera in treating sunburn, you need to apply a generous amount of pure gel to the burnt skin.
It’s difficult to find 100% aloe vera gel. That’s why if you have the chance to grow this plant at home, then make sure to consider it.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a garden or you don’t want to take care of an aloe plant, you can purchase aloe vera extracts or buy them online.
It’s best to keep the gel cool. In that way, if it’s time for you to apply it to your skin, you get that cool feeling.
As mentioned, you can apply it a few times a day to the affected area.
However, if your burn is severe, make sure that you talk to your doctor or head to the emergency room. Aloe vera can’t help you in this situation. Remember that it can only heal first to second-degree burns.
Does Aloe Vera Actually Help Sunburn?
Yes, it does help sunburn. But it doesn’t treat burnt skin overnight. It can take days before your skin gets complete healing.
When you have sunburn, the affected skin cells are killed by the harmful sun’s rays. This is one reason aloe vera can’t cure sunburn.
Thankfully, the skin can regrow and renew itself. With the help of aloe vera, it cools and soothes the skin to make you feel better.
You may extract the gel from the plant to get 100% aloe. However, if it’s not possible for you, you may choose to buy an aloe vera product that you can use as a moisturizing lotion.
As you moisturize your skin, you’re also helping it heal. But when you choose an aloe vera product, avoid using a product with alcohol. The reason for this is that it can only dry your sin.
You should also apply a cold compress to the skin to relieve the heat and pain.
Summary
How aloe vera helps sunburn? It has anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate swelling and pain. But it doesn’t cure the burnt skin. Rather, it encourages the skin to regrow.
If you wish to drink aloe vera, though, please visit here.
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