For Safe Summer Fun, Protect Your Skin!

We just had a scorcher of a weekend!  Sunday, the sun was so hot and reached a high of 32 degrees celcius.  It’s going to be a hot summer and it’s very important we protect and prevent against harmful sun and heat.  For safe Summer fun, protect your skin!

I think it’s safe to say that nobody appreciates a sunburn.  Excessive sun is a bad idea, unquestionably.  Sunburns look bad, hurt and inflicts wrinkle inducing damage – and, it increases the risk of melanoma.  It’s very easy to prevent sunburns and here is Saffire Blue’s tips on how to keep your skin safe and enjoy summer to the fullest.

1. It can take 4 – 6 hours for symptoms to develop.  Just because you can’t feel the burn right away doesn’t mean you won’t feel the burn (or worse) much later.  A little notice of red developing is a serious clue as to what’s to come in the following hours.
2. Sunscreen should be applied every 30 minutes (or more depending on whether you have been excessively persperating or swimming.)  Keep yourself lotioned up!
3. Stay hydrated.  It’s very important to drink extra water.  If not, heat stroke can potentially sneak up and leave you feeling nauseaus.  Drink, drink, drink!
4. Sun is at it’s strongest between 10am-2pm.
5. Light skinned/fair haired people are at a greater risk of sunburn.
6. Wear a hat, sunglasses and a t-shirt.

Common symptoms of sunburns:

• Chills
•  Fever
• Nausea/vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms
• Water-filled blistering
• Redness
• Tender to the touch skin
• Peeling of skin.

What is Sun rash?

Sun rash is sometimes referred to as sun poisoning.  It feels as awful as the term sounds.  If someone has sun rash it is easily detected through small bumps that form all over the body.  These bumps are predominantly in areas that have been exposed to by the sun.  As sun rash progresses the bumps become more dense and are noticeable in clumps of bumps.  These clusters of bumps are similar to hives and are typically found on areas such as arms, lower legs and chest.

Medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are recommended to decrease pain and inflammation in affected areas.  The earlier these medications are taken the better they work.   Cool compresses (with equal parts water and milk) is also a suitable resource for pain and discomfort relief.

It is valuable and worthwhile to keep Aloe Vera Gel or Aloe Vera Juice on hand during the summer season.  The gel from the Aloe Vera plant is rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals.  Since the plant provides an abundance of natural qualities it has been used for centuries to treat sunburn and alleviate potential sun damage.  The gel will help regenerate the tissue and also provide anti-inflammatory relief.    Applying the gel can treat possible sun damage from a day spent with too much sun exposure.  Aloe Vera regenerates and hydrates skin – most definitely a summer time essential!

Minerals & Powders That Provide Sunscreen for the Face and Body:

1. Micronized Titanium Dioxide:  Shields against harmful UVA/UVB rays to help prevent premature skin aging and sun damage.  It is much lighter in texture than Titanium Dioxide.
2. Zinc Oxide
3. Aloe Vera Extract: Infuse products with Aloe Vera Extract and antioxidants to nourish and soothe the sun exposed skin.

Home Remedies for Sunburn Provide Cooling Relief with Essential Oils:

1. Lavender Essential Oil:  Has been known to regenerate damaged tissue and provides numerous healing properties that quickly relieve sunburn.  Lavender Essential Oil has been recommended to reduce scarring and minimizing pain.
2. Helichrysum Essential Oil
3. Balsam Fir Essential Oil
4. Rose Essential Oil
5. Tea Tree Essential Oil
6. Aloe Vera Gel / Aloe Vera Juice

Natural Oils That Contain SPF:

1. Carrot Seed Oil:  Contains a variety of antioxidants, antiseptics and very high in Vitamin A.
2. Wheatgerm Oil:  A great source of Vitamin E and a good source of Vitamin K and Vitamin B.  Wheatgerm helps to moisturize tissues and acts as an antioxidant to prevent radical skin damage.
3. Soybean Oil:  Rich in fatty acids, protein, lecithin, iron and calcium.  It is very cost effective.
4. Macadamia Oil: Natural source of magnesium, iron, potassium and Vitamin E.
5. Jojoba Oil:  Effective moisturizer for people with dry skin.  Contains a natural plant chemical called myristic acid which provides some limited sun protection.
6. Seabuckthorn, Sesame Seed, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil and Hempseed Oil all provide different levels of natural SPF.

 

 

Recipe:  Natural Sunburn Spritzer

Ingredients

1 oz Purified Water

2-4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

1 drop of Helichrysum Essential Oil

½ tsp of Aloe Vera Gel

Directions

Combine ingredients in a glass measuring cup and stir well to evenly distribute all the ingredients used.  Pour the contents into a glass (dark) bottle that can be accompanied by a fingertip sprayer.  Keep refrigerated for best results.

Recipe:  Natural Sesame Sunscreen

Ingredients

2 tbsp Coconut Oil

1 tbsp Shea Butter

½ tsp Sesame Seed Oil

½ tsp Aloe Vera Gel (Thickened)

2 tsp Zinc Oxide (or Micronized Titanium Dioxide)

1x Dark Cosmetic Jar

Directions

Gently heat Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sesame Seed Oil and Aloe Vera Gel (Thickened) in a double boiler until all contents become liquefied.  Add Zinc Oxide and mix thoroughly.  Pour contents into your Dark Cosmetic Jar.  Since Coconut Oil is Liquid at room temperature it will liquefy if left out.  If you wish to keep it in a “butter” form make sure you keep it refrigerated.