Sunburn MacGyr Mask

Summer is in Full swing and sunburns are easy to get and can ruin a vacation.  I travel a lot and don’t always have my ingredient apothecary near me, so I’m gonna let you in on my MacGyvr skin skills.  I have a secret remedy that I use when I get too much UV.  It speeds healing time and takes the pain down a few notches, as well as moisturizes the crispy skin.  There are a few common ingredients that you can obtain at most hotels to soothe a sunburn. 

Sunburn Soothing Ingredients (approximate measurements, doesn’t have to be exact):

• 1 tsp Honey

• 1-2 Chamomile Tea Bags

• 1-2 Green Tea Bags

• Small bucket of Ice

• 1/4 cup or 1 packet of Oatmeal

• 2 Egg Whites

• 3 Cups Water

• 2 tsps of Aloe, if you can get your hand on some.

• If you only have a couple of these items, that is ok, improvise, all ingredients are anti-inflammatory and will speed healing.

DIY Mask Instructions:

1.     Heat 2-3 cups of water in the microwave and add the oatmeal to it.  You’ll want way more water than it takes to make the oatmeal. Also add to the hot mixture, green and/or chamomile tea bags. Let this set for 5 minutes.

2.     After 5 minutes, remove the tea bags and sift out the solid oatmeal, leaving the oatmeal/tea water behind.  You can throw the solid oatmeal away.

3.     While its still warm, mix in 1 teaspoon of honey and put container on ice or in the freezer till cool (NOT ice cold).

4.     Remove from ice/freezer and mix in 2 egg whites. Add 2 teaspoons of aloe if you have it too.

5.     Apply mixture to face or any burned area 1-2 times per day for 15 minutes.  Shower it off gently with tepid water and pat dry.  Immediately, while still damp, apply a non-scented lotion and stay out of direct sunlight. 

I highly recommend investing in some SPF clothing so you don’t have to put chemical SPF on over the sunburn, where it can soak right in.  That said, if you don’t have these clothes, wear SPF to protect your skin further if you’ll be in the sun.  Reapply often.

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Sunny Day Skin Dismay

We are all enjoying our beautiful sunny summer day when BAM, our skin starts to do some funky stuff.  In this article, I’ll address some common skin issues in the summer and how to prevent or help soothe them.

Acne: When sweat mixes with bacteria and natural skin oils, it can clog your pores. If you have acne-prone skin, this often leads to acne. I recommend the following to help prevent a breakout:

• Blot sweat from your skin with a clean towel or cloth. Wiping sweat off can irritate your skin, which can lead to a breakout, make sure you're using a clean cloth or at the very least, the BACK of your hand (not your dirty fingers) to wipe sweat away. 

• Wash sweaty clothes, headbands, towels, pillow cases and hats before using them again.

• Use non-comedogenic (Won't clog pores) products on your face, neck, back, and chest. Stay away from coconut, olive and other oils!

• Keeping the dry skin from building up is also key, use a home exfoliating mask or schedule a facial to remove excess dead skin. 

Dry Skin: When outdoor air is hot and humid: sun exposure, pool time, and air-conditioning can cause dry skin.  Prevent and help the effects of dry skin with these tips:

• Shower immediately after getting out of the pool using a mild cleanser or body wash.  Bar soap tends to make dry skin worse. 

• Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF! SPF 30+ is best and don't forget to reapply.  This can go on after your normal moisturizing lotion.

• Take showers and baths in warm water, rather than hot water.

• Slather on a fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing. Moisturizer works by trapping water in your skin, so you’ll need to apply it within 5 minutes of drying off.

• Carry moisturizer with you, so you can apply it after washing your hands and when your skin feels dry.  I keep lotion in my purse, in my car, at my desk, in the bathroom, by my bed…everywhere!

Melasma: Being out in the sun can make melasma darker and more noticeable.

• Wear SPF, sunglasses, a hat and try to stay in the shade.

• Keeping the dry skin from building up is also key, use a home exfoliating mask or schedule a facial to remove excess dead skin. 

Sun Sensitivity: You can develop a rash or even hives when you’re in the sun if you take certain medications.  If you have an allergic reaction to the sun, you’ll see red, scaly, and extremely itchy bumps.  Some people also get blisters.

• Google your medications (or ask your pharmacist) to find out if it can cause sun sensitivity.

• Meds to look out for include: ketoprofen (some pain meds) and antibiotics: tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline.

• If your medicine can cause a reaction, take this seriously!  Stay out of the sun!

• If you have to be outdoors, protect your skin and seek out shade, wear sun-protective clothes, and apply SPF of 50+.

And of course, Sunburn: Sunburns can eventually cause skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Wear SPF 30+ (don't worry, you'll probably still get a tan), sun protective clothing, sun glasses and hats. 

If you do get a burn, there are a few ways to soothe your lobster skin. 

• Take a cool shower with mild soap or no soap, or a 15-20 minute oatmeal bath with tepid water.

• Pat dry sensitive skin after bathing, instead of wiping, then liberally apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer.

• In addition to, (NOT instead of) lotion, apply aloe to help soothe skin inflammation; try to avoid fragrance or added coloring though.

• Drink LOTS of water; sunburned skin lets out too much water through the impaired skin barrier (TEWL: trans-epidermal water loss). 

Note: African American skin already has naturally increased TEWL, so make sure you wear your SPF and moisturizer! All darker skin tones also have a higher rate of hyperpigmentation (age spots and scarring), so it's good practice to protect your skin from UV damage. WEAR YOUR SPF!