Sometimes a sunburn can cause light or dark spots to form on the skin. They can be isolated and small in size or conglobate, forming large patches that are slightly pigmented or darker than their natural tone. Consulting a dermatologist would be the first thing to do, but if you can't afford it or can't make an appointment in the near future, there are remedies to treat and prevent the problem on your own.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating Stains
Step 1. Use Vitamin E Oil
Make sure you are using real tocopherol oil, not a cream. Apply it to the skin morning and evening.
- Since vitamin E oil is easily absorbed by the skin, it is effective in treating any damage caused by UV rays.
- Do this treatment constantly in early summer, when you start to expose yourself to the sun. It will heal any residual spots (under the skin) that you have not seen and will protect you in the future.
Step 2. Use creams containing sulfur or selenium, ingredients that can help treat a skin infection called tinea versicolor, which often causes white sunspots
- Tinea versicolor is caused by fungi that actually act as a sunscreen. Prolonged exposure to the sun can make them visible. However, there is no reason to be alarmed: everyone has skin fungi that occur naturally, so it is a very common phenomenon.
- Selenium is found in many anti-dandruff shampoos, while sulfur creams are available in pharmacies at a low cost. Apply one of these products to your skin, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse.
Step 3. Try an antifungal cream
Since the spots are mostly caused by fungus, a simple antifungal cream (such as those used for athlete's foot or inguinal mycosis) sometimes helps fight them and counteract the white patches.
You can also try adding a hydrocortisone cream (1%) to the antifungal. Some have found this combination to be more effective than antifungal cream alone
Step 4. Apply self-tanner to white spots
Since they are not pigmented, artificially coloring them can make them uniform with the rest of the skin.
For greater accuracy, try applying it with a cotton swab to the spots
Step 5. See a dermatologist
A procedure called intense pulsed light can be used to not only treat white spots, but also the entire sun-damaged area of the skin, resulting in a smoother result.
If you don't have a trusted dermatologist, talk to your GP for one in the area
Part 2 of 3: Coping with Burns and Photodermatitis
Step 1. Hydrate
In the event of a burn, it is always essential to maintain good hydration. Drink water and / or sports drinks to replenish electrolytes.
Xerostomia, sleepiness, dizziness, poor urination, and headache are all symptoms of dehydration. Children tend to suffer from it more easily than adults, so see your pediatrician if your child has these symptoms
Step 2. Contact your doctor
The white spots that appear after a sunburn are sometimes related to guttate hypomelanosis, an absolutely harmless skin color change that is apparently caused by the sun. Your doctor may prescribe topical steroids to improve the situation.
Step 3. Use home remedies
You will be surprised to find that many commonly used products are effective for soothing a bad burn. Cooked (chilled) oatmeal, yogurt and tea bags left to infuse in cold water can be applied to the affected area for some relief.
Applying coconut oil directly to the sunburn can soothe it and promote healing
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Stains
Step 1. Avoid the sun
This can also help you treat any spots that have already formed. Symptoms of photodermatitis usually subside on their own within 7-10 days, but it's always best to prevent sunburn and protect yourself from the sun's rays.
UV rays are particularly intense between 10 am and 4 pm, so avoiding them at this time is very important
Step 2. Use the sunscreen every day, possibly choose a broad spectrum one with an SPF of at least 30
Broad spectrum sunscreens block UVA and UVB rays. Apply it at least 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun.
- You can get burned even after being exposed to the sun for only 15 minutes, so applying the cream before going out is especially important to protect yourself.
- It is not possible to completely cure white sunspots because these areas of the skin no longer have pigmentation. The best thing to do is to keep them from stretching, so protect your skin before going out in the sun.
Step 3. Protect yourself with clothing and accessories, including hats and sunglasses
By covering your skin, you will be less exposed to sunlight and the resulting damage.
You may not know it, but the sun can be very harmful to the eyes. About 20% of all cataract cases can be directly associated with UV exposure and related damage. The sun can also cause macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the United States
Step 4. Read the package leaflets of any medications you take
Some medications are known to increase sensitivity to UVA / UVB rays: if you don't protect your skin, they can cause you to be more susceptible to photodermatitis.
- Such medications include antidepressants, some antibiotics, acne medications, and diuretics. These are just examples, so make sure you are well informed about the medicines you use.
- If you no longer have the package leaflet of a medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Advice
- Taking multivitamins can also help keep skin healthy.
- Make sure you use a broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection. When sunbathing, repeat the application often.
- Ask your pharmacist which oils or multivitamins can help you improve the condition of the skin.
