Sunburn on your unbelizeable Vacation?

​Sunburn. It’s the worst. I know it. It puts a dampener on vacations faster than you can say “burn.”

​When planning a beach vacation, everyone thinks about packing swimsuits, hats, towels,

and other essentials. But the most important thing to pack, and one that should never be forgotten, is sunscreen, says Dr. María Eugenia Solloa, dermatologist at the ABC Medical Center.

​Some of us remember the days when we had no idea how much the sun can damage our skin. Baby oil and iodine “sunbaking” were all the rage. We thought, “the more sun, the better.”

Now it’s damage-control time!

• ​Ibuprofen-Take this as soon as you realize you’re pink. And remember not all pain killers are the same. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, meaning, in addition to helping you move your arms without screaming, it calms the inflamed skin. And always check with your doctor before taking any painkiller.​

• Hydrate - Your burned skin needs hydration to heal. And if you’re taking Ibuprofen around the clock, you’ll need extra fluids. Try to skip the alcohol, too. You need fluids that hydrate. That doesn't mean you have to give up the Instagram-worthy frozen cocktails. Just order a virgin!

• Aloe Vera - Aloe is soothing and healing, but many commercial aloe gels contain alcohol and chemicals that can dry your skin. Read labels to ensure you’re buying real aloe. For extra coolness, pop your moisturizer in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.

• Cool bath - Take a bath in cool water to soothe irritated skin. Adding apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can enhance the soothing effect.

• Cold compress - Use cold towels, ice packs or even packets of frozen peas to provide relief to the burnt areas.
  

Is it too much of a hassle?!

Don’t worry Spaabulous is one call away, delivering a refreshing body wrap to cool sun-damaged skin and hydrate dryness. 

​​After Sun Treatment

After a tiring day under the tropical sun, immerse yourself in this revitalizing and hydrating ritual to nourish your skin. Crafted to soothe and mend sunburnt skin, It commences with a refreshing Aloe Vera mask cocooned to preserve its icy embrace, accompanied by a tranquil scalp massage. The finale unveils a quenching moisturizer, granting you a blissful sense of renewal.

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​How do sunburns stay cool - They chill with aloe!

Sunscreen Must-know

Everyone needs sunscreen. Let’s say it louder for the people in the back… ev-ery-one! No matter your age, gender, if you are a unicorn, a mermaid or skin color, sunscreen is a must. Sun damage happens to all of us — every single day.

What Kind of Sunscreen Should I Be Using?

The type of sunscreen you choose will really depend on your situation. For your everyday wear, mineral sunscreen is great protection against the most harmful rays.

However, the physical sunscreen that will protect you is not waterproof. If you want to spend the day at the pool or hit the beach, you may want chemical sunscreen — unless you are going to reapply each time the water washes off the product. 

​Mineral Sunscreens

Mineral sunscreens, containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are safer for sensitive skin by creating a physical barrier against UV rays. These ingredients provide immediate protection and are considered ( GRASE) Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective by the FDA.

​Chemical Sunscreens

Chemical sunscreens use synthetic filters like Oxybenzone and Octinoxate to absorb the sun's rays, taking about 30 minutes to become effective. Despite being widely available, concerns about the safety and toxicity of these ingredients led the FDA to propose removing 12 chemical sunscreen ingredients in 2019.

​​What Is SPF?

The SPF number on sunscreen indicates how long it takes for UVB rays to redden skin compared to unprotected skin. For example, SPF 50 means it takes 50 times longer to burn. Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, with UVA protection increasing as SPF number rises.

For you technical folks, the rating system for UVA rays is called the “protection of UVA” or PA grading system. It measures how much skin will tan while using a sunscreen product. The higher the PA rating, the better protected your skin will be from the UVA damage that leads to wrinkles, age spots, leathery skin, and skin cancer. More pluses, equal more protection.​

PA+, some UVA protection

PA++, moderate UVA protection

PA+++, high UVA protection

PA++++, extremely high UVA protection

When Do You Apply Sunscreen?

Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen daily when outside, not just in summer. Apply it at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. Many people, especially women, prefer using a moisturizer with SPF or applying sunscreen after moisturizing in the morning.

Remember to slather sunscreen not just on the main parts of your face and body but also on often overlooked areas: tops of the ears, lips, back of the neck, and hands. Men with little to no hair should always be diligent in applying sunscreen to the entire head!

Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after exposure to sweat or water. It's essential even on cloudy days as up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate through the clouds.

​ Rule of thumb: Cover two or three fingers ( depending on the formula) with SPF to adequately cover your face, ears, and neck with sunscreen.

​Always remember to be good to your skin. After all, you will wear it every day for the rest of your life!