A sunburn, also known as actinic keratosis, is a burn that is caused by the skin’s exposure to the sun or the lamps in tanning beds. People get the most sun exposure when they are children. Just one sunburn when you are young can increase the risk of skin damage and speed up the aging process (skin cancer, photoaging, etc.).
What are the symptoms of a sunburn?
Although people know that solar radiation can be harmful, they nevertheless voluntarily and regularly expose themselves to ultraviolet light—either by soaking up the sun’s rays or going to a tanning salon.
There are different levels of sunburns, starting from the most frequent to the most intense. The most frequent level of a sunburn is when the exposed skin becomes red and starts to burn. The sunburned skin can start itching and then peel after a few days. In the cases of intense sunburns, they can vary from first to fourth degree. Symptoms include: painful phlyctenae (blisters), skin ulcers (loss of skin tissue), etc.
Repeated exposure to the sun’s rays and repeated sunburns can significantly increase the risk of actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous patches on the skin) and skin tumours (basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma).
How can I treat a sunburn?
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada. Skin cancer is directly linked to the sun and all types of exposures to UV rays, including light tanning. There are different sunscreens available to prevent sunburns. The most widely used and known are mineral sunscreens (a pale cream that is applied onto the skin before exposure). Mineral sunscreens can cause allergic reactions. In order to minimize the white film that is left on the skin after application and increase effectiveness, several brands offer artificial nanoparticle sunscreens (ultra-fine sprays). Today, some scientists are calling into question artificial nanoparticle sunscreens as they may help to produce free radicals that can damage the skin’s cells. These free radicals develop due to substances that are present in our day-to-day lives, such pollutants, chemical products, combustion fumes, etc.
Emu oil: an additional barrier that helps to protect your skin from the sun
Pure emu oil is a 100% natural and highly moisturizing solution that can help to protect you against the sun’s rays. It is recommended that you apply emu oil just before applying your sunscreen; emu oil is quickly absorbed into the skin and can provide additional protection against the sun’s rays by increasing the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Pure emu oil is a non-photosensitizer. It is also effective for diminishing, soothing and helping to heal sunburns.
Sources, excluding the last paragraph:
Santé Canöe,
Santé Médecine,
Mon pharmacien,
Traitements.com
