EXERCISE MYTHS

Muscle can turn to fat~ Muscle and fat are two different tissues and cannot convert into the other. Decreased physical activity reduces your muscle tissue and your metabolism.
You can spot reduce~ You can’t lose weight in any particular place before another. Your weight will first come off from the last place you put it on.

BEAUTY MYTHS

Beauty myths are more often than not old adages that were handed down to each generation. Some of these misconceptions are centuries old and just plain silly. While logic doesn’t seem to play a big factor in beauty myths, they’re still abundant. These are a few that deserve to take their place in the myth “HALL OF SHAME”
Soap is bad for your skin~ Older formulas contained animal fats and vegetable oils. Newer soaps are formulated to be milder and some contain moisturizers that don’t dry out your skin.
Shaving your legs will make your hair grow in thicker~ Your hair thickness is genetically determined. So when you shave it your hairs will be stubbier causing it to look thicker.
Drinking a lot of water leads to beautiful skin~ While drinking water is necessary for our bodies, too much will only lead to bloating and too many trips to the bathroom. However most of us do not drink the suggested 64 oz a day which would be sufficient to hydrate your body and skin.
Split ends can be repaired~ The ONLY way to rid split ends is to cut them off and prevent them in the future with good hair care and proper trimming.
You can wash away acne and pimples~ Scrubbing too vigorously can do just the opposite, it will increase oil production and aggravate the condition.
The sun clears up blemishes~ While the sun will temporarily dry out pimples, it interferes with healthy skin cells. This can cause a worse breakout a couple days after sun exposure.
Stick to one brand of products~ This beauty myth was probably put out there by manufacturers who want to keep customers loyal to their brand. However if you are using a acne skin care line you should stay in that line (so you aren’t mixing chemicals that don’t blend with each other)
You don’t need a sunscreen on a cloudy day~ The sun’s UV rays penetrate clouds and can still damage your skin.
Natural ingredients are non-allergenic~ Whether it’s natural or chemical ingredients, if you’re allergic, you’ll see a reaction. With the big hype about using more natural products we are seeing more and more people allergic to wheat products.
You can shrink the pores on your face~ Your pore size is another thing that is genetically determined. Pores may appear larger by bacteria and dead skin cells. Retin-A and alpha hydroxys are designed to break up these materials and bring the pores back to their original appearance.

FOUR COMMON SKIN TYPES

With the skin being one of the largest organs of the body, it’s no wonder how much emphasis is placed on caring for it. The skin is also the most visual of all the organs and good skin care means a more beautiful, healthy you. Our genetics, race, and age all play a factor in our skin type. How our skin reacts to our diet, hormones, the environment, and climate we live in can help us determine how to choose the best skin care products and the most effective way to treat our problem areas. I’ll outline four common skin types:
NORMAL
Normal skin feels comfortable and requires the least attention. Those lucky enough to have this skin type have a proper balance of moisture and oil production to have healthy, smooth skin with minimum breakouts. Cleansing with a mild soap everyday and using a light moisturizer is usually enough for this low maintenance skin type.
DRY SKIN
Dry skin can affect any age group but it’s more common as we get older. It’s uncomfortable and tight, often with dry patches that can get irritated and itchy. Because of the lack of oil, dry skin is prone to fine lines and wrinkles appearing. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer often, underneath makeup and before bed to increase the comfort level and reduce your chances of unwanted lines.
OILY SKIN
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands work overtime and provide too much oil, giving our skin a shiny and sometimes greasy appearance. Large pores often are a characteristic of those with oily skin and teenagers frequently experience pimples and acne, reducing their self esteem. Fortunately there are many products on the market today to keep the oil in check, thus reducing or eliminating any scarring that may occur. Use of makeup or powder helps to soak up excessive oil while minimizing shine.
COMBINATION SKIN
Combination skin is the trickiest to care for because some areas are dry, some are oily and some are perfectly balanced. Oily areas are usually in the T-zone and forehead while dry areas are common on the outer areas of the cheeks. Use of hair care products that come in contact with the skin around the hairline can cause an unwanted drying affect. There’s no one product that magically solves problems for each individual area so it’s best to take the time to treat combination skin types accordingly.
No matter your skin type or environment you need to cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize and protect. Always use sunscreen, your health and life depend on it!

Control Frizz

From the straightest of tresses to the curliest, most if not all of us have issues with FRIZZ! It’s an awful nuisance and some of us have a hard time trying to control it. Try these tips:
• Make sure you are using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. If you keep your locks moisturized it will help to tame the unruly frizz.
• Deep condition your hair once a week.
• Use a leave in conditioner or serum.
• Once a month apply a clear demi permanent hair color to coat the hair shaft and calm the frizz.
• Get regular trims.

Bad haircut help

The dreaded bad haircut goes beyond a bad hair day! It can change the way you feel about yourself and undermine your self esteem for months. It’s no secret women are picky about their hair. It’s hard enough to get a good style but with a bad cut it’s almost impossible.
Fist of all, don’t panic! If misery loves company, you’ve got plenty. The bad hair cut club is not exclusive anybody can get in; it may help to know that you are not alone. Here’s some advice to get you through it.
Contact your stylist
You need to tell your stylist that you are not satisfied with your cut. It’s possible you wont realize it’s bad until you are home. If that’s the case, give your stylist a call and tell him or her why your not satisfied. If there is some hair to work with, make an appointment to have it corrected. If it’s too short it is better to just let it grow you don’t need to make it any worse.
If this is a new stylist and you wont trust him or her again, get a referral, go back to a trusted one, or try a new one to get help for your bad cut. There’s no reason to have someone cutting your hair again if they’ve caused you so much grief to begin with.
If this was a trusted stylist who botched your hair, it’s better to forgive and allow them to make a mends. Nobody is perfect, and it may just have been a bad day for them or simple miscommunication. While this is little relief, they’re trying their best to make it right.
Some Consolation
Now for some bad haircut help. For your emotional stability, you need to remember that hair grows about ½” a month and it’s probably not going to take near as long as you think to grow it out to a stage where it’s acceptable. Trust me, this is the only time you will appreciate dark roots because it means your hair is growing!
Give it some time. If you’re one of the few lucky ones, you may decide the cut wasn’t that bad after all and you may even like it. If that’s not the case…
Growing out a bad haircut is awkward but there are ways to minimize your discomfort. If the hat fits wear it. Some people look great in hats and already have some. Ok so that may not be what you had in mind.
Add some style
Try adding some body to straight hair with Velcro rollers or a curling iron. Adding some waves and curls will help disguise any blunt cuts. If your hair is wavy or kinky, straighten it out to give it some length. Don’t be stuck in a rut. Now that you have a different haircut (like it or not) you need to do damage control with some new styles.
Use hair Accessories
A rotten haircut gives you a good excuse to try out some of the awesome new hair accessories. If your hair is long try pulling it back and leaving a few strands hanging out around the face to give the illusion of longer tresses. Try using some of the new headbands and clips that have come out recently with bows, feathers, flowers and rhinestones.
Add hair extensions
You can find clip on synthetic pony tails, braids and straight hair extensions almost anywhere these days. If you can match the color of your hair you’re in luck! You will have an instant feminine look. I personally do not suggest extensions that are glued or fused into the hair because in the long run they will create more damage giving you one more thing to have to work at growing out.

Whatever bad haircut fix you decide on, remember, it’s only a matter of time before you’re back to your normal fabulous self and this will be only a bad memory.

Summer Beauty tips

As the weather changes, so should your beauty routine. When the temperatures start rising, your body and skin reacts differently than it does in colder climates. A change in your routine is in order for your skin, make-up and hair to keep it healthy and look fabulous. If you want to look great when the summer heat finally hits, take note of these basic summer beauty tips to adjust yourself to a different climate and keep your youthful glow.
Change your skin routine
Hot weather means more humidity and your skin will need less moisture than it does in the winter. Switch to a lighter moisturizer to keep your pores clear and you will be less likely to experience blemishes. Keep your feet in top notch shape by regularly exfoliating to slough off dry skin and calluses. Moisturize to the max and treat yourself to a pedicure so that you can show off your feet in a strappy pair of sandals.
Drink more water
Water is the trick to beautiful youthful skin. Your body needs more water in the summer to stay hydrated. Since you will sweat more in hot weather, it’s vital that you restore your fluids when exercising or simply being out and about in warmer temperatures. Always keep a bottle of water handy in your car so it’s ready to go where you are.
Keep your tan in check
A healthy tan is a myth! There is no such thing. Your goal should not be to suntan, but to protect your skin against the suns dangerous UV rays so you don’t prematurely age. Wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 on ALL exposed areas of your body when you are outside. (Please see my previous blog on choosing the right sun protection)
You can still get a healthy looking tan without damaging your skin if you use a sunless tanning lotion.
Exercise in Cooler Temperatures
If you have to do your walking or jogging outdoors, then doing it in the morning is more beneficial because the temperatures haven’t risen to day time highs yet. If this means getting up earlier, then give it a try. You may find that a little time alone is a good way to start your day. Another alternative is to work out in doors, where the temperature is controlled. Whether you do this at home or in a gym, use your own towel to keep your skin clean and dry.
Use insect Repellent
Bugs and mosquitoes are common pests in the summer, particularly in the evening and early morning hours. When outdoors, especially camping and hiking, use bug repellent to avoid any irritating bites and bumps that go along with it. Sometimes it’s not a pimple that sprouts on your face it’s an insect bite!

How to get the Best Haircut and Style

Have you ever come home from the salon upset because you thought your hair was ruined? And to top it off you paid for the catastrophe on your head! It’s probably happened to just about all of us at one time or another but you can prevent it from happening again. On your quest for the most fantastic hair cut and style here are some important steps to ensure you get just what you want.
Choose a Reputable stylist
Seek out others for referrals. Ask your friends with great looking hair which salon they go to and the name of the stylist. More important, ask those who have similar hair texture, thickness and styles that you prefer where they go. If you see stranger whose hair you adore, don’t be shy, flatter that person with compliments and get the information you need. Most people are happy to share their stylist and can often get a discount for giving referrals.
Take Pictures to your appointment
It’s not always easy to vocalize what haircut you want. Your description may bring up something completely different in the stylists mind, leading to a bad cut that can take months to recover from.
Salons are full of magazines and styling guides for a reason. If you bring a picture from home or select one from the salon’s magazines, you’re more likely to get just what you want, Be reasonable, not all cuts and styles will work on every hair texture and some can accentuate facial flaws. The best insurance is to bring along a few pictures and ask the professional’s advice.
Be Precise
If you want your long hair to stay long, say just that. If you want just a trim, tell the stylist how much you want cut and make sure you show them with your fingers. Don’t be afraid to interrupt while your hair is being cut. If you just sit there, knowing they are on the wrong track you will kick yourself later. A stylist who asks plenty of questions about how you want your hair to look is one that wants to make sure that you will walk out happy.
Watch Closely
Don’t get into heavy chatting and then discover that you have no idea how to achieve that fantastic look. A great hairstylist is one you’ll want to replicate over and over so it’s important to watch carefully and see how it’s done. Again, ask questions and you can pick up some good tips for manipulating your hair into the style that’s perfect for you.
Be Decisive
There are times when you’re just not happy with the cut. If you are aware of it before you leave the salon, make it known. If the salon is not busy, this may be able to be corrected then and there. If you feel rushed, tell the stylist and let him or her know that you may be in touch soon. If you discover that the haircut is not to your liking after you get home, make another appointment to follow up. After all, you wanted to look better, right? The best way to do this is to communicate with the professional.

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How to deal with bad hair color

We have all had it happen to us either the stylist messed up her formula or we bought the wrong box at the store, and when bad hair color happens it is awful. But what are we suppose to do about it?
• Do NOT try to color your hair again! Applying another color on top of the bad color will not fix it. If it went to dark and you put a lighter color on it you will end up like a cheetah, spotty and multiple colors taking the bad hair color to worse. If you went to light give it some time and then go to a stylist to have it covered, what you buy in the store may not be the right base color to give you the desired shade.
• Do NOT bleach it out! Going too dark is awful but bleaching the life out of it is not the solution. When you apply bleach to hair that has been colored dark you never know exactly what the outcome will be.
• Do not use a color remover. Store bought color removers are not as predictable as what the professionals use. Your end result will still be the wrong color and even more damaged to where it cannot even be repaired by a stylist.
• Try using hot water when you shampoo. Using hot water when you shampoo will open up the outer layer of the hair shaft to help release the pigment in the hair.
• Add some baking soda to your shampoo to strip some of the color out. In you hand sprinkle some baking soda into your shampoo work into hair and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Make sure you use a good conditioner after the baking soda treatment because it will dry out your hair.
• Try out new hair accessories! Using hair accessories will draw attention away from your hair color.
• Visit your stylist. If your stylist says they are unable to fix your color due to the condition of your tresses it maybe time for a new style.

Diet solutions for hair issues

Eat your way to beautiful, healthy hair. Just like your body, your hair also needs a balanced diet to stay healthy.

DRY BRITTLE HAIR:
If your hair is dry and breaks easily, it is probably lacking in essential fatty acids. By including plenty of good sources of essential fatty acids in your diet you can give your hair back its strength and luster. You can find these in fish like tuna, trout, salmon, herring and mackerel. Nuts, seeds, olives, avocados also contain the good fatty acids. Also make sure you drink plenty of water, six to eight 8 ounce glasses every day.
GREASY LANKY HAIR:
A lack of vitamin B in your diet can lead to oily, greasy hair. To fight off greasy hair, be sure to eat lots of whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy products, eggs, wheat germ, legumes and green leafy veggies. These are all a great source of vitamin B. You should also try to steer clear or greasy foods!
THINNING HAIR:
Some times our diet can be the cause of hair loss. Thinning hair can be a sign your body is lacking in essential vitamins and mineral. Be sure to eat plenty of iron rich foods such as red meat, eggs, legumes, whole grain cereals, dried fruits and green, leafy vegetables. Protein rich foods can help reinforce the hair follicles since hair is composed mostly of protein, your hair will most likely respond well to the addition of high protein foods. Try adding meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts for some extra protein. Vitamin E is also found in green, leafy veggies, nuts, and grains which will help those with a thyroid condition which can cause hair to thin. Having a diet rich in antioxidants will help to slow the aging process in general.
Food, vitamins and supplements to help hair growth:
Hair is mostly protein, so nutritionists advise those wanting healthy hair to eat a well balanced diet that include healthy proteins, along with foods high in Vitamin B, C, A, E, and K.
Vitamin B- Green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peas
Vitamin C- Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries
Vitamin A- Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, cantaloupe and apricots
Vitamin E-Avocados, rice bran, nuts, dark green veggies, legumes and whole grains
Vitamin K- Seafood, dairy, figs, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, dark green leafy veggies, oatmeal, soybeans, wheat, yogurt, egg yolks, and liver

What's the Best Sunscreen?

Wondering what to wear this summer? Get the latest facts before you buy your next sunscreen.

By R. Morgan Griffin
WebMD Feature

Choosing a sunscreen isn't as simple as it used to be.
The next generation of sunscreens is just hitting the market -- including L'Oreal's Anthelios SX and products containing Helioplex -- designed to offer fuller protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Given all the new options, how do you know which is the best sunscreen for you?
"For most people, trying to compare one sunscreen to another can be complicated," says David J. Leffell, MD, professor of dermatology and surgery at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.
While choosing the best sunscreen is important, perhaps even more crucial is using it correctly -- something a lot of us don't do, says Henry W. Lim, MD, chair of the department of dermatology at the Henry Ford Medical Center in Detroit. So before you plop down on the lawn chair -- or take the kids to the beach -- here are the sunscreen facts.

Finding the Best Sunscreen

Sunscreens help shield you from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays in two ways. Some work by scattering the light, reflecting it away from your body. Others absorb the UV rays before they reach your skin.
A few years ago, choosing a good sunscreen meant you just looked for a high sun protection factor (SPF) -- which rates how well the sunscreen protects against one type of cancer-causing UV ray, ultraviolet B (UVB.) "SPF refers to blockage of UVB rays only," says Leffell.
Research soon showed that ultraviolet A rays (UVA) also increase skin cancer risk. While UVA rays don't cause sunburn, they penetrate deeply into skin and cause wrinkles. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that up to 90% of skin changes associated with aging are really caused by a lifetime's exposure to UVA rays.

The New Broad-Spectrum Sunscreens

So which is the best sunscreen for you? Clearly, you'll want a sunscreen with broad-spectrum or multi-spectrum protection for both UVB and UVA. Ingredients with broad-spectrum protection include benzophenones (oxybenzone), cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), sulisobenzone, salicylates, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and ecamsule (Mexoryl SX).

• SPF 15 or higher for UVB protection. The SPF factor rates how effective the sunscreen is in preventing sunburn caused by UVB rays.  If you'd normally burn in 10 minutes, SPF 15 multiplies that by a factor of 15, meaning you could go 150 minutes before burning.
  
  For the vast majority of people, SPF 15 is fine, Leffell tells WebMD. But people who have very fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, or conditions like lupus that increase sensitivity to sunlight should consider SPF 30 or higher.
  Keep in mind that the higher the SPF, the smaller the increased benefit: contrary to what you might think, SPF 30 isn't twice as strong as SPF 15. While SPF 15 filters out 93% of UVB, SPF 30 filters out 97%, only a slight improvement.
  
• UVA protection. There is no rating to tell you how good a sunscreen is at blocking UVA rays, says Leffell. So when it comes to UVA protection, you need to pay attention to the ingredients.
  
  Look for a sunscreen that contains at least one of the following, Leffell says: ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, sulisobenzone, or zinc oxide.  Any of those should do the trick.
  
• Ecamsule. One newly approved ingredient that blocks UVA is ecamsule.  It's been available in Europe and Canada, as Mexoryl SX, since 1993. In the U.S., ecamsule is now sold in L'Oreal's Anthelios SX products. It isn't cheap. A 3.4 ounce tube -- barely enough for 4 full-body applications -- can run $30.
  
• Avobenzone. Neutrogena's Helioplex isn't really a new ingredient; it's a "stabilized" version of a common UVA-blocker called avobenzone (or Parsol 1789). Unless it's stabilized, avobenzone breaks down when exposed to sunlight -- exactly what you don't want in a sunscreen. You'll find stabilized avobenzone in other sunscreens, too, like Active Photo Barrier Complex and Dermaplex.
  
  Some of the excitement about these new products is advertising hype, says Leffell. For instance, any brand-name sunscreen that has avobenzone is stabilized. If you want to spend $30 on a bottle of sunscreen, go ahead. But you can get equally good protection for a lot less.
  
• Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Less expensive options for UVA protection have been available for a long time, the experts tell WebMD. Old sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide used to make people look pale and ghostly, says Fairbrother. But newer manufacturing techniques have resolved the problem, she says.
  
• Water and sweat resistance. If you're going to be exercising or in the water, it's worth getting a sunscreen resistant to water and sweat.
  
  But understand what this really means. The FDA defines water resistant sunscreen as meaning that the SPF level stays effective after 40 minutes in the water. Very water resistant means it holds after 80 minutes of swimming. These sunscreens are in no way water-proof, so you'll need to reapply them regularly if you're taking a dip.
  
• A brand you like. Even if a brand is recommended by all the experts, if you don't like it, you're not going to use it, says Karrie Fairbrother, RN, president-elect of the Dermatology Nurses Association. Personal preference is really important.
  
• Kid-friendly sunscreen. The sensitive skin of babies and children is easily irritated by chemicals in adult sunscreens, so avoid sunscreens with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and benzephenones like dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone. Children's sunscreens use ingredients less likely to irritate the skin, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Unlike chemical ingredients, these protect babies' skin without being absorbed, Fairbrother says.
  
  For kids 6 months or older, look for a sunscreen designed for children with an SPF of 15 or higher. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies under 6 months be kept out of the sun altogether.
  
• Sunscreen for skin problems or allergies. People who have sensitive skin or skin conditions like rosacea may also benefit from using sunscreens designed for children. Go for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead of chemicals like para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone. If you have skin irritation or allergies, avoid sunscreens with alcohol, fragrances, or preservatives.

Other sunscreens include moisturizers or other ingredients for people with dry or oily skin. As long as they meet the UVA and UVB requirements above, you can give them a try and see what works best.

How to Wear Sunscreen

While choosing the right sunscreen is important, it won't help much if you don't use it daily and correctly. Use these tips from the experts.

• Apply the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. For woman, sunscreen can be applied under makeup. Use about 1 ounce (or 2 tablespoons) to cover your whole body. Don't skimp. A number of studies show that people simply don't use enough -- and only get 10% to 25% of the benefit. 
• Don't forget the easy-to-miss spots, like the tips of your ears, your feet, the back of your legs, and, if you have one, your bald spot. Since your lips can also get sunburned, use a UV-protective lip balm and reapply it regularly, Fairbrother says.
• No matter how long-lasting it's supposed to be, reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, and more often if you're sweating or getting wet.
• Pay attention to the expiration date on the bottle. Sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time.
• Wear sunscreen whenever you're out during the day -- and not only when it's hot and sunny. On a grey, overcast day, up to 80% of the dangerous UV rays still make it through the clouds. And during the winter, exposure to the sun's rays still can have damaging effects on your skin.

Sunscreen Isn't Enough

Some people have the impression that wearing sunscreen makes them fully protected against the sun's rays, Lim tells WebMD. But that's not the case. No sunscreen can do that.
No matter how high the SPF, no matter how thickly you slather it on, sunscreen will never fully protect you, experts say. This misunderstanding can be dangerous: people who think they're safe wind up spending too much time in the sun and raise their risk of skin cancer and other problems.
Even your clothes may not protect you. The average cotton T-shirt only has a pitiful SPF of 4, says Leffell.
So in addition to wearing good sunscreen, you still need to take other precautions:

• Stay in the shade when possible.
• Wear sunglasses.
• Stay inside when UV radiation levels are highest, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the U.S.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat.
• Wear sun-protective clothing, preferably with a UVP (ultraviolet protection rating) on the label. At least wear clothes that are dark and tightly woven, which offer a bit more protection.

Sunscreen works, says Leffell. But protecting yourself against ultraviolet rays requires a lot more than sunscreen alone. And remember that with sunscreen, you need to defend yourself against the sun's rays with both UVA and UVB protection.

SUNBURNS

This home remedy is also suggested for other types of burns as well. Repeat this scenario every two to three hours for as long as the pain of your sunburn persists.

How to Relieve Sunburn with Vegetables

Although not the best home remedy to relieve sunburn pain, placing a bag of frozen vegetables inside a clean towel and placing it gently upon the sunburned area can offer some minor and temporary relief. This home remedy helps to cool down the sunburn.

Thinly slice a raw cucumber, potato, or apple. Gently place the pieces on your sunburn. Not only is the coolness of the vegetables soothing to your skin, but also, it is possible that they will help reduce any inflammation occurring from your sunburn.

Another one of the remedies for sunburn involving vegetables involves lettuce. Wash some lettuce leaves and place them in a pot of water. Bring the water to boiling for several minutes and then allow the liquid to cool. Strain the liquid and discard the residue. Place the liquid into the refrigerator and allow it to cool for several more hours. Use large cotton balls to apply the cool liquid to the affected areas of your skin. The coolness is soothing to your skin and it should help to relieve any inflammation.

How to Relieve Sunburn with Vitamin E

Relieve sunburn pain with vitamin E. Eating foods that are rich in vitamin E can help to reduce the inflammation caused by sunburn. 

Foods rich in vitamin E include but are not limited to: products made with whole grains, vegetable oils and nuts. Vitamin E supplements can also be taken. However, whenever you use a vitamin E supplement, it is best to ingest the natural form only. As with any supplement usage, consult your physician first.

How to Relieve Sunburn with Tea

Another one of the suggested home remedy cures for sunburn is to use tea compresses. Boil a pot of strong tea and allow the tea to cool in the refrigerator for a few hours. If you need to cool the tea more quickly, keep the tea bags in the pot of water as you cool it with ice cubes. Use cotton gauze or a clean cotton towel or cloth to make a tea compress. Since whatever you use to apply the tea is going to become permanently stained, use something that is dark in coloring or that you simply do not care about.

Gently place the tea compress on the sunburn to draw the heat out, relieve inflammation and to set the burn to a tan. Typically, the sunburn will still result in peeling of the skin. The tea compresses should remain on for at least half an hour. Repeat this procedure as desired every two hours or so. Additionally, one can place some of the cold tea in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the affected areas of the skin. The tannic acid in the tea is the essential ingredient for this cure. If desired, the teabags can be placed on closed eyelids to relieve the discomfort of sunburn in that area.

 

How to Relieve Sunburn with Baking Soda or Oatmeal

Sunburn relief might be attained with cold compresses made with baking soda or oatmeal that have been dissolved in cool water. Additionally, you can take a bath in a tub full of cold water to which one pound of baking soda or oatmeal has been added. The mixture will cling to the sting that the sun has left behind.

How to Relieve Sunburn with Aloe Vera

The leaves of the Aloe Vera plant contain a thick, sticky substance that can provide relief from sunburn discomfort. Gently remove one of the thickest leaves from the plant. Split the leaf open and gently place the inner substance on your sunburn. It should provide a coolness to your sunburn that is soothing and offers you some relief from the pain.

Preventing Sunburn

Avoid exposure to the sun during the peak hours that tend to burn us more quickly than any other times of the day. 

The hours between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm are notorious for providing the strongest and most harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays of the sun. If you stay indoors or limit your exposure to the sun during those hours, you will reduce your risk of getting a sunburn. Rather than worrying about trying to find cures for sunburn, the best thing is to simply try and avoid it in the first place.

If you must be outdoors during the peak hours of daylight but cannot wear sunscreen, you will have to rely on natural cover to protect your skin from sun damage and sunburn. The obvious first step is to choose protective clothing with long sleeves and either a long skirt, or long pants. The goal is to cover as much skin as possible while remaining cool in hot weather. Choose light colors of fabric, such as white, tan, cream, or beige. Avoid dark colors, which tend to attract the sun’s rays and hold heat close to your body. Even flowery prints or colorful plaids can draw heat, which is the last thing you want on a hot summer day.

In addition to selecting clothing in light or neutral colors, make sure the fabric’s texture is tightly woven so it can help to prevent the sun’s rays from piercing through lightweight fabric and reaching the skin beneath. The clothing need not be heavy or thick, but it should not be a light weave that allows light to readily pass through. You might even wear a tank top or tube top under a lightweight shirt for added protection against the aggressive sunlight. 

 

 

 

 

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