Table of contents:
- The difference in sunburn (sunburn) and black skin burnt from sun exposure
- Why does the skin get darker when exposed to sunlight?
- Overcoming black skin and spots due to the sun
- 1. Cucumber and lemon mask
- 2. Aloe vera mask
- 3. Mask milk and oatmeal
Living in a tropical country where the sun shines all year round makes you vulnerable to direct sunlight. Skin that initially is olive or light brown can become dark or burnt as a result of daily heating. Almost everyone has experienced it, especially if you often move outside the room. Then, what actually causes skin burns if you are often exposed to sunlight? If it's already burnt, can the black skin due to the sun's rays return to its original color? Find the answer below.
The difference in sunburn (sunburn) and black skin burnt from sun exposure
Being in direct sunlight can have various effects on the body, especially the skin, which is the first layer of your body's protection. Too long to be in the sun has the risk of causing sunburn. Sunburned skin will turn red. This is usually accompanied by itching, burning, or burning on the surface of the skin. Some people will even have blisters on their skin. If the sunburn is very strong, you can feel dizzy, have headaches, trembling, and even have a fever.
In contrast to sunburned skin, burnt skin is a black skin condition that usually occurs gradually. For example, every day you go to campus or work on foot or ride a motorbike. Even if you are only in the sun for a few minutes and the sting is not very strong, the exposed skin will still react. Burnt skin is usually not accompanied by other disorders of the body or skin. However, burnt skin will usually appear drier and duller than other parts of the skin that are less exposed to sunburn.
Why does the skin get darker when exposed to sunlight?
Sunlight consists of three types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, namely UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC radiation cannot penetrate the Earth's atmosphere, while UVA and UVB can penetrate human skin and hair. Both of these radiations have a negative impact on the skin and hair because they can cause DNA mutations, spread free radicals, and even trigger skin cancer.
To protect the body from harmful UVA and UVB, a pigment called melanin will be produced to repair and protect cells that are disturbed by radiation, especially from UVA. The melanin pigment that is produced will turn your skin tone darker and look like a burnt. This is because the pigment has a basic color, namely blackish brown. So, it's not really the sun that makes your skin burn, it's your body.
The more often you are exposed to sunlight, the more skin cells are affected. This further triggers the production of melanin which will counteract the effects of UVA radiation. This process took a long time. This is why it can take several days, weeks, or months to show the skin when it is scorched or patched.
Overcoming black skin and spots due to the sun
Because usually your skin that is exposed to sunburn is not evenly distributed across the skin of your body, you will also appear mottled. For some people, appearing in striped skin can affect self-confidence. In fact, to brighten the skin back to its original color is not an easy thing. Treatments that can lighten skin tone are usually inexpensive and take a long time. However, you can treat and lighten the burnt skin with treatment naturally at home. Because it comes from natural ingredients, the effect is faster and the price is also more affordable than buying various beauty products. Here are some tricks to lighten sunburned skin again.
1. Cucumber and lemon mask
Mash a cucumber until smooth in a blender and mix with about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. After that, add a pinch of grated turmeric to the mixture and stir until blended. Apply it on the area of the skin that is burnt or that is often exposed to the sun. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water afterward. Cucumber is efficacious to provide a cool effect and fight free radicals that harm skin cells. Meanwhile, lemon contains citric acid which acts as a natural bleach to treat burnt skin. Turmeric helps to remove dead skin cells that cause dull skin so that your skin will look brighter and shine.
2. Aloe vera mask
Aloe vera offers a myriad of properties for the skin, especially for dealing with skin problems affected by sunburn. You can buy aloe vera gel at a pharmacy or beauty store, but it's best if for faster and maximum results use real aloe vera sap or liquid. For brighter and moisturized skin, apply the aloe vera sap on your burnt skin and let it sit overnight. Rinse clean in the morning.
3. Mask milk and oatmeal
Mix the powder oatmeal and fresh milk to taste until the texture of the dough is soft but quite dense. Apply it to sun-exposed skin and let it sit for about an hour before rinsing it off. Oatmeal able to nourish and even out the skin tone while the milk will help maintain the skin's natural moisture and whiten the burnt skin.
