Even today some people do not apply any type of filter to their skin or do so insufficiently (most people do not know exactly what type of protection their skin type needs). These oversights make it easier for the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to burn us off.

It is common for our skin to become red when we burn, or for spots and flakes to appear which may not only be unattractive but also painful (after all, they are the product of a burn), or which may even be the origin of the beginning of a melanoma.

In order to treat these excesses of melanin and help that part of the body to recover its normal appearance as soon as possible, throughout this article we will see several effective remedies to lighten sunburned skin once the redness has passed or when it is already passing.

Effective remedies for lightening sunburned skin

Sunburn can appear as spots in specific places where the radiation has concentrated on the skin that is not well protected, or it can appear in the form of large red areas of our skin, when the capacity of the epithelial cells to generate melanin is exceeded to prevent ultraviolet radiation from producing damage.

It is common for spots to appear on our burned skin when this happens. In order to treat these spots, next we will review different effective remedies to reduce the affectation and to return our skin to its natural color.

1. Avoid the Sun

It may seem obvious, but this element is essential to prevent the burn from becoming more serious. It is necessary to protect the burned area and avoid its direct exposure to solar radiation . Although it is not something that lightens the skin or heals directly, it does allow the body itself to regenerate itself and reduce or at least not worsen it.

2. Aloe Vera

One of the most widely accepted products in the treatment of sunburn, to the extent that many cosmetics, sunscreens and aftersun incorporate it, is aloe vera.

The use of this plant, either as a lotion or as an extract, contributes to the regeneration of the skin as well as lightening the spots that appear on it and reducing the swelling and irritation of the burned area. Its regular use is recommended, on a daily basis.

3. Recovery from eating: hydration and vitamin-rich products

An essential part of both improving the burn situation and lightening the burned skin is to help the body itself to repair the injured area . In this sense, it is essential to hydrate the person, both by drinking water and by consuming fruits such as watermelon or orange.

In addition, it is highly recommended the consumption of foods rich in vitamin C (useful in the production of collagen) and D (protects against external aggressions and dehydration of the skin), as well as A (which strengthens the defenses of the skin and facilitates healing) and E (a great antioxidant that hinders skin aging), all relevant vitamins in the regeneration of the skin. Among them are recommended products such as the aforementioned orange, kiwi, cucumber or grapes, avocado, fish or dairy products, eggs or wheat.

4. Oatmeal baths

Another remedy with proven efficacy to treat and clarify burned skin is to use oats in its cleaning. This is an anti-inflammatory substance that respects the skin and the natural fat of the body, not damaging the injured areas and producing improvement. It is recommended to incorporate it in warm or cold baths, and to keep it in such water for about twenty minutes once a week. It is one of the simplest and most natural remedies to lighten burned skin.

5. Very gentle exfoliation

Although in this case this remedy is controversial, since it can have the opposite effect to the one desired, another way of returning the burned skin to its usual tone is through exfoliation, that is, the removal of the remains of dead or injured skin in order to promote the oxygenation of the still healthy skin, accelerating the regeneration of the area .

The use of mild exfoliants (such as compounds with aloe vera or oats) is recommended, which allow the removal of the remains without tearing the skin alive in the process and without worsening the injury. On the contrary, the use of more powerful exfoliants can be harmful and make the situation worse, being contraindicated.

6. Cold water or milk compress

Cooling and keeping the burned area hydrated is another remedy that helps us control the burn and reduce redness and itching. In this sense, it is considered advisable to take cold showers or use compresses with cold water, for about a quarter of an hour.

Another remedy that is widely used is to use compresses soaked in milk. However, while this has the advantage that it can act as an anti-inflammatory, the lactic acid itself can end up irritating and damaging the tissue.

7. Lemon, chamomile, parsley, papaya, yogurt, cucumber or egg white

These foods are natural skin whiteners and can be helpful in reducing redness caused by sun spots, in their topical use. Infusions (for example with chamomile or parsley), creams or masks (such as papaya, or yogurt mixed with cucumber) can be used.

However, in products such as lemons, the acid they contain can be irritating, so it should be reduced with water.

Bibliographic references:

  • Balk SJ, Council on Environmental Health, Section on Dermatology (March 2011). “Ultraviolet radiation: a hazard to children and adolescents.” Pediatrics. 127 (3): e791–817.
  • Maenthaisong, R; Chaiyakunapruk, N; Niruntraporn, S; Kongkaew, C (September 2007). “The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review”. Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries. 33 (6): 713–8.