Peeling of the skin is one of the common effects of sunburn. You may enjoy relaxing under the sun or sunbathing, but at the end this may cause severe sunburns resulting in peeling of the skin, blemishes or painful blisters. The harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun directly attack the delicate cutaneous layer of the body causing the skin to peel. Peeling mars the natural beauty of the skin imparting an unpleasant appearance. Even 10- 15 minutes of exposure to broad daylight can result in peeling of the skin. Peeling of the skin is observed after few hours of the sun exposure as the topmost layer of the skin gets dehydrated and breaks off as loose flakes. Severe sunburn destroys the first line of defense paving way to a number of skin problems and skin cancer. Sunburns and peeling of the skin can be treated easily by self care at home. Never hesitate to seek professional consultation in case the home remedies do not produce desired results.
Cold treatment
Take cool showers several times a day to reduce the peeling of your sunburned skin. Constant cooling and hydration is essential to treat this condition. You can dip a soft towel in a bottle of chilled water and apply gently on the damaged skin. The cooling effect of chilled water reduces pain and irritation of the peeled skin immediately. Application of ice packs is also beneficial. Wrap few ice cubes around a soft towel and apply on the affected skin. Alternatively, you can remain immersed in a cold water bath for 30 minutes to treat your sunburned skin. Dip a cloth in cold skimmed milk and apply on your skin. The hydrating and moisturizing effect of the milk alleviates the discomforts of your peeled and sunburned skin quickly.
Apply moisturizer
Moisturizers trap the moisture content of the skin preventing it from peeling. Apply moisturizer all over your body in generous amounts several times a day depending upon the severity of the condition. Select non-greasy water based moisturizers or body lotions that will keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or oil based moisturizers as these may leave your skin dry and parched aggravating the condition. Aloe Vera lotions are best to treat peeling of the skin. Make sure that your moisturizer is rich in Vitamin B12, E, A and C, which are essential for the overall health of the skin. Hydrocortisone lotions are also effective for treating this condition as these hasten the healing process. Avoid lotions containing benzocaine, petroleum or lidocaine as these often trigger skin allergies. Always carry your moisturizer while you are traveling.
Treatment with Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a magic herb with notable skin healing properties. The watery gel obtained from the succulent leaves of this common kitchen garden plant produces wondrous results while treating peeled and sunburned skin. Enriched with a number of essential amino acids, this herb acts as an effective healing agent. The astringent property of Aloe Vera has a soothing effect on the skin that provides quick relief from the pains and irritation of the peeled and sunburned skin. Slit the Aloe Vera leaves and extract the gel, and apply directly on the affected parts of the body. You can refrigerate few Aloe Vera leaves, and apply the chilled gel for better effect.
Apply honey and yogurt
Try a mixture of yogurt and honey to treat peeling of your skin. This is the simplest of the home remedies for treating this skin disorder. Yogurt contains alpha hydroxy acids that removes the dead cell layers fast and enhances skin elasticity. Honey, enriched with nutrients and antioxidants, is termed as the liquid gold due to its multiple health benefits. Honey can create wonders to your skin as its moisturizing effect makes your skin supple. Mix one tablespoon each of honey and yogurt and apply on the peeled areas of your body. The creamy texture of the mixture may give you a sticky feeling. Keep it for 10-15 minutes and finally rinse with cold water. Repeat the treatment 2-3 times a day depending upon the condition.
Apply grated cucumber
Take out a chilled cucumber from the refrigerator and grate it well. Apply enough quantity of grated cucumber on the peeled areas of the body and keep it for half an hour. The high water content of cucumber hydrates and soothes your sunburned skin. Vitamin E and Potassium present in cucumber helps in restoring the normal texture of the skin. Cucumber also reduces sun tans, inflammation and redness of the skin and alleviates pain caused due to peeling. Chilled cucumber juice is more effective in reducing the pain. This is another effective home remedy to treat sunburned skin. You can mix oatmeal, yogurt, honey or milk with grated cucumber for better results.
Drink plenty of water
Water is known as the best friend of your skin. You should drink at least 7-8 glasses of water daily to treat peeling of the sunburned skin. Dehydration of your body aggravates peeling of the skin. Water is the best temperature regulator that keeps your body cool and maintains the health of your skin. Enough amount of water is essential to retain the moisture content of your skin, which ultimately reduces the skin peeling. The outer layer of the skin requires constant hydration as this is the most vulnerable part. You can drink chilled fruit juices, butter milk and milk shakes to increase your fluid intake.
Apply Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E works miraculously in treating a number of skin ailments. The natural antioxidant, tocopherol, present in this vitamin repairs the damaged skin and aids in healing of the peeled skin. Vitamin E capsules available in drug stores contain a jelly like substance which should be applied generously on the peeled skin. You can apply this gel on different parts of the body including your face. It is better to use Vitamin E based creams in case the peeling is observed in larger areas of the body. Apply Vitamin E oil regularly after getting indoors from sun to prevent peeling of the skin and other sunburn effects.
Treatment with watermelon
You can treat your sunburned and peeled skin with this delicious summer cool fruit. Have enough watermelon to keep your body hydrated. Mash a handful of chilled watermelon chunks and apply on the peeled areas of your body. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash your skin gently under running water. The hydrating effect of the chilled watermelon juice aids in treating your sunburned skin. Drink 1 or 2 glasses of chilled watermelon juice everyday. Malic acid (an alpha hydroxyl acid), present in watermelon facilitates quick healing of the sunburned and peeled skin. Moreover, the antioxidants present in watermelon takes good care of your skin.
Treatment with essential oils
Apply essential oils from lavender, chamomile, mint and eucalyptus to treat peeling of your skin. Never apply these oils directly on the affected skin but dilute them in a carrier oil like olive oil. Strictly follow the dilution of the essential oils before application. You can mix few drops of chamomile oil and lavender oil in one ounce of yoghurt and apply on the peeled skin. The potent ingredients of the essential oils have a soothing effect on your skin, which aids in reducing skin peeling. Add ten drops each of lavender and chamomile oil in your bathing water and immerse yourself in it. Relax in the bath tub for half an hour. Your peeling of the skin will reduce within few days.