How to Naturally Treat Sun Damaged Skin

Skin can become damaged easily from exposure to sunlight. The ultraviolet light waves will literally cook the skin, which can appear on the skin as a "tanning" and darkening of the surface layers. When sun exposure is extreme, the skin can blister and become red, indicating severe sun damage. Treating sun damaged skin helps sooth and alleviate pain or discomfort that the sun damage has caused.

Instructions

1

Aloe vera gel comes from the Aloe vera plant, a succulent plant native to desert climates. The gel inside the plant soothes burns, skin irritations and rashes, and has a cooling effect on the skin. Applying aloe vera gel to sunburned skin can relieve the burning sensation on the skin, and can temporarily relieve the pain associated with the burning. You can apply the gel directly from an aloe vera plant by breaking off one of its stalks, squeezing out the gel from the inside of the stalk, and applying it to the burned areas. You can also purchase aloe vera gel from a supermarket or natural foods store.

2

Sunburns and sun damage can be painful. The burning and aching sensations you feel can interfere with sleep, and disrupt your daily tasks. According to the Stony Brook University Medical Center, the pain and burning usually lasts around two days, and you can alleviate it by taking an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen. Sun damage and sunburns can also cause a low grade fever, which can be treated using an anti-inflammatory medication as well. Take the ibuprofen as directed on the bottle, and always check with your doctor before taking any new anti-inflammatory medications.

3

When sun damage is severe, blistering of the skin occurs. The blisters usually form in areas that are the most burned or exposed, and can become torn and weep or drain out onto clothing. Once the blisters are open, they can easily become infected. Stony Brook University Medical Center recommends wrapping severely burned areas of the skin that are blistering in gauze bandages to absorb the fluids and to protect the skin from becoming infected or irritated. If the blisters become sore or start to develop pus, seek medical attention right away. This is a sign of infection and should be treated by a medical professional to prevent the infection from spreading.