SUNLIGHT, SUNLIGHT, BURNING BRIGHT

FROM ISSUE # 148 (April 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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The rays are out, so pay more attention to your skin and show it some mercy. Many of us may not be aware of it, but under direct sunlight, 15 minutes is all that's required to get a sunburn. When your skin feels hot to the touch, changes in colour, peels or develops blisters in major cases, you know it's time to get guarded against overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and let your skin drink up.

WEATHER CHECK
Most intense between 10AM and 3PM, the sun is best avoided then, so limit your exposure during these hours. Don't assume that sunshine is 'safe' when it doesn't sting your skin, the sting or 'bite' you feel is actually infrared radiation and not UV radiation. As clouds don't block UV radiation, it's important to wear sunscreen to avoid getting burned on overcast days. Sunburn is also more likely to occur on seemingly milder days when the temperature ranges from 18° to 27° Celsius.

PREVENTION RATHER THAN CURE
Long term effects of having repeated sunburns include premature wrinkling and increased risk of skin cancer. Once skin damage occurs, it is an irreversible process. This is why prevention is always better than cure. Apply sun screen of at least SPF30+ to unprotected skin and use lip balm with sunscreen to protect lips from burning or peeling. Do it in style by accessorising with hats and sunglasses, this little effort will go a long way in protecting you from the harsh rays especially during the middle of the day.

THE HEALING TOUCH
The battle's not over if your skin has just fought off the rays and lost. It's time to recuperate from the spoils of war:

•  Easily attainable from stores, aloe vera products such as gels are a popular and often effective way to remedy mild to medium sunburnt skin. A native plant in Africa, its leaves contain aloe gel that is believed to have anti-inflammatory effects, used topically to soothe burned skin and to heal wounds. However, avoid using aloe for severely burnt or wounded skin.

• The key thing is to also hydrate, hydrate and hydrate. Take cool baths or showers to relieve heated skin, or place wet, cool towels on affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. Avoid using soap as this may irritate your skin. And drink lots of water to heal the body internally and prevent headaches or fatigues.

• In more major cases, keep out from scratching or popping blisters. Consider covering blisters with a wound dressing to reduce the risk of infections; otherwise you can also use calamine lotion on sunburnt areas that are particularly itchy. Don't stop moisturising the skin, it won't prevent burnt skin from peeling off, but will help boost the moisture content of the skin beneath.

• If you have peeling skin, there's no cream or lotion that could have prevented it. It's really part of the natural healing process. Resist the temptation and don't pick at it. Allow the dead skin sheets to detach themselves, and if possible, apply antiseptic cream to newly revealed skin to reduce risks of infection.