Considering the considerable information we know about the dangers of sunbathing, you’d think sunburns would be obsolete.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Thousands of Memorial Day bathing beauties will return to their office cubicles on Tuesday sporting crispy, lobster-hued skin.
Allure magazine’s editor in chief Linda Wells feels their pain — and even has some suggestions to remedy painful sunburns.
First of all, Wells suggests zapping pain and swelling from the inside out by popping two aspirins or Ibuprofen.
Then, apply cool compresses of used tea bags or wash cloths soaked in milk to the inflamed area. For treating hard-to-reach burns, Wells advises soaking in an oatmeal bath, using any of the non-prescription bath products such as Aveeno.
When swelling subsides, slather on a rich moisturizer that doesn’t contain alpha hydroxy acid. “That will irritate an already irritated area,” Wells warns. Oil of Olay Complete Moisturizer and Shiseido Benefiance are her post-
sun lotions of choice.
Wells also recommends using a self-tanner for those who want to hide splotchy burns, resulting from having applied sunscreen unevenly.
“If you miss a spot on your arm or leg, self-tanner will help mute the burn or even it out,” she says, adding that Clarins Self-Tanning Milk and Biotherm Self-Tanning Lotion work particularly well.
But Wells stresses that while self-tanners are fine, never try to even out a tan by spending more time on the beach towel. “Going back in the sun will destroy your skin,” she says.
Though it probably won’t cause permanent damage, Wells feels burn victims should resist the urge to pick at the dry skin around the wound.
“Peeling is part of the healing process and your skin does it for a reason,” she explains. “Picking at it might make the process take longer.”
Though it’s best to relax the first two or three days it takes to recuperate from a burn, you don’t have to become a hermit. And Wells has several tips for dressing up a sunburnt face.
If you want to cover blotches with foundation, make sure it’s one with yellow undertones instead of pink ones which will draw attention to the skin’s already pinkish tint.
Also, stay away from oil-free foundations which can dry the skin. Rather, choose creamy bases such as Bobby Brown’s Creme Glow Foundation. Additionally, it’s best to avoid powdered products, which will sit conspicuously on top of the burn.
When it comes to your eyes, cheeks and lips, “this is not the moment to try some trendy new makeup color,” insists Wells. “Stick to neutrals.” (She likes the colors in Revlon’s Sand collection, and suggests using a clear lip shiner such as Elizabeth Arden Eight-hour Cream or Vaseline.)
Apply the same burn-friendly color rules to your clothing.
The trendy pink and red togs that made your complexion glow last winter will only work to accentuate a summer sunburn. Neutrals like beige and olive are a better bet.