As soon as the sun comes out, it's tempting to bask your whole body in the sunshine  we have been longing for.  It feels so good, but it can lead to sunburn.  Even if you use sunscreen, you can miscalculate your exposure time and end up with a painful burn. 

 

Here are some tips for how to deal with it if it happens to you or your kids.

 Lavender Essential Oil

This is the best way to prevent a burn from blistering.  I’ve witnessed its effects many times, and the sooner you put it on the better.  It can really stop a blister in its tracks. Lavender is one of the only essential oils that is safe to apply directly to your skin without dilution. You can drip four or five drops directly onto the sunburned area.  I think it is the best treatment for burns – even better than aloe vera.  Not only does it prevent blistering, it takes away the sting and smells great. I swear by this. 

You can buy lavender essential oil at most health food stores.  I recommend the Aura Cacia brand, but other brands can be suitable as well.  It will cost you around $10 for a bottle of lavender essential oil and it will last you for a couple of years.  It is also really good for soothing insect bites and rashes.  I think Lavender essential oil should be in every first aid kit. 

 

Peeling Skin

If your skin starts to peel, you have a new set of challenges.  Keeping the skin moist through generous application of lotions will help avoid looking like a leper as it peels.  It will also allow the skin to come off in larger sections, which is preferable to small flakey pieces.

Exfoliation is really important when you are peeling.  You can make an easy exfoliation mask from fresh summer fruit.  Here is a recipe for a papaya mask that will gently dissolve dead skin away from your face and leave it smooth and fresh.

Take 2 Tablespoon scoops of fresh papaya. It should be ripe and slightly soft.  The ripest part of the fruit is next to the seeds.  You can use the rest of the papaya for snacking or fruit salad. 

Put the papaya in a zip-lock baggie and smash it with the side of a glass used like a rolling pin.  It won’t take long to smash it fairly smooth.  Squish it with your fingers to get the final bits.

Pure papaya can be kind of runny, so you might want to consider adding ingredients that will thicken it up and improve its quality.

• Adding a Tablespoon of honey will help soften your skin and help the mask stick to your face.

• If you have some instant mashed potatoes, you can add about 2 teaspoons of potato flakes and knead them into the papaya pulp. This will thicken it up a lot and potato is good for soothing inflammation.

• If you have an herb grinder, you can grind up about 2 teaspoons of oatmeal until it is a powder and add that to the papaya.  Oatmeal is very soothing and softening for the skin.

Put the mixture in the microwave for 10 seconds to take the chill off it.  It feels delicious to have the warm fruit spread across your face.

Apply the fruit mask to your face with a massaging motion.  Start with the area that needs exfoliation most.  For best results, keep applying and massaging for 10 to 15 minutes.  I like to do it while I am watching TV. 

Wash off with a warm washcloth, then gently brush your skin with a dry washcloth. This removes the last traces of dead skin flakes. Follow with a good moisturizer and your skin will feel great.

How Often to Get a Facial?

At the very least, I recommend you get a facial during each season of the year.  The summer season is finally upon us, and you should plan a facial during this season to take care of the unique needs of your skin in hot weather.

If you have the motivation, you can give yourself a facial at home as often as you want. 

Or you can come in to see me and I’ll give you a papaya facial in a way you could never do yourself.  I’ll massage your muscles into soft butter and make you feel drunk with relaxation. It's one of those indulgences that is totally worth the money.

60 minute papaya facial with relaxing massage ~ $60

 

Judy Zifka, Esthetician

50th Avenue Salon

541-420-0615 (cell)

503-235-6484 (salon)

(appointment required)