How to Treat Sunburn With Jojoba Oil and Aloe Vera
Sunburn occurs when ultraviolet rays (UV) rays from the sun damage cells in the skin layers (dermis) and cause redness, peeling and itching. White blood cells rush to the burned areas and attack the damaged skin, prompting it to slough and peel.Anyone can get a sunburn and increase their risk for skin cancer with even just one sunburn. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that sunburn is short-term skin damage but it can set the stage for melanoma which can be fatal if not treated at an early stage.If you have severe sunburn, characterized by skin that blisters and accompanied by a fever, headache or chills, get professional medical treatment immediately.If you have a minor sunburn, you can apply aloe vera juice from an aloe vera plant and jojoba oil to speed healing. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Jojoba Oil
- Aloe Vera Plant or Aloe Vera Gel
- (1 to 3) Capsules of 400 I.E. of Vitamin E or Higher
Instructions
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Begin by gently cleansing the burned skin with a mild, non-abrasive soap such as liquid castile soap. Do not use scented or very astringent soaps. Dry thoroughly.
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Take a large leaf from an aloe vera plant and with a knife, remove the sharp serrated edges of the leaf. Next, slice open the leaf and remove the thick aloe vera gel from it.
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Combing the aloe vera gel with several drops of jojoba oil and mix together in the palm of your hand. You could also add vitamin E from piercing open 2 to 3 capsules of vitamin E and adding it to your mixture. Vitamin E is often used to reduce scarring.
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Apply this mixture evenly to the sunburned area. This is appropriate even for delicate skin of the face. The jojoba oil acts to seal the aloe vera juice to the skin. Reapply as needed and cleanse the skin only as needed to not strip away too much moisture.
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Tips & Warnings
Jojoba oil is really a plant wax made from crushed beans from jojoba plants (Simmondsia chinesis) found in S. California, Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Similar to the skin’s own sebum, jojoba is found in many skincare and hair products. If you prefer to use a commercial product, look for aloe vera gel, jojoba and vitamin E.
Do not apply anything to skin that is blistering or is an open wound. If you have any doubt as to whether you have a more serious case of sunburn, consult your physician.
