Burn, Baby, Burn!

Ahhh....a day at the beach...Doesn't that phrase provoke many wonderful memories to flood your mind? Perhaps your ideal day at the beach involved strolling on the sand with someone you love, scooping up eclectic seashells, and smells of the salty seawater? Whatever maritime memories came rushing back to you, I am sure a few were spoiled by a wicked case of sunburn that left you looking like a giant molting lobster for a week! Besides the fact the red crustacean look not being featured on the cover of "Elle", severe sunburn can be more than a fashion faux pas. Severe sunburn can lead to blisters, scars, itching, rashes, fever, fatigue, and sun poisoning. In addition to all the temporary tyrants, extended sun exposure can lead to premature aging, skin discoloration, and even skin cancer. With all the knowledge we possess in regards to the harmful effects of those radiant rays, sunburn still happens! As summer is now in full swing, I wanted to share with you all a few homeopathic sun therapies that will help ease the pain.

*Tea Bags- Soak these tea-riffic little packages in ice water and press them against your skin for relief. Teas such as chamomile, lavender, and bergamot, are all known for their cooling capabilities.

*Cucumber Slices- Lay these cool cukes over your eyes and on your skin for a very veggie sensation.

*Frozen Aloe Vera Gel- Nicey and Icey! A great way to heal the hurt!

*Water- Keep your fluids up; water is a necessity! Gatorade, Powerade, and Pedialyte are great re-hydrators as well!

*Milk of Magnesia- Apply a thin layer with a cotton ball directly to your skin for a cooling effect.

*Noxema- Not just for faces anymore! Rub a layer of Noxema to the sun-soaked areas for temporary relief. Warning- this treatment is quite messy!

*Baking Soda- Dissolve some baking soda in water and make a compress using a clean cloth. Baking soda is cooling, calming, and will help your skin retain moisture.

*Potatoes- Grate a potato and apply it to the burned area. The starch will cool and soothe the burn. Thank goodness for taters!

*Aspirin- Aspirin kills the pain and reduces inflammation and redness of sunburn but it must be taken within 24 hours of the burn to receive the full healing qualities.

So Divas, if you are going to sun worship this summer please allow your Cabana Boy to slather you down with some sunscreen before baking. You can thank me later...