LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

The First Steps to Take When You Get a Sunburn

Sunburns are the worst, not only because they hurt, but also because they severely damage our skin. Even if you wear sunscreen, there's a chance you may forget to reapply it (or maybe didn't apply enough to begin with) and end up with a sunburn. We're not going to lecture you on why sunburns are bad, so instead we're going to share a few tips of what to do when you get a sunburn and how to treat it.

Get Out of the Sun

The moment you notice a sunburn forming, take action. If your skin is red, get out of the sun. A sunburn can take four to six hours to develop so even if you only think your skin is red, it could turn into something worse a few hours later. Also, take ibuprofen, which can reduce swelling and redness.

Take a Cool Shower

Jump into the shower and turn the shower head to a mild cool temperature. Avoid overly perfumed soaps and delicately clean your skin with an unscented, plain soap.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

It's critical that you keep your skin moisturized. After a sunburn, your skin is incredibly thirsty. Moisturizing not only helps your burn heal faster, but it also lessens the severity of skin peeling. Use a moisturizer that has aloe vera in it.

Stay Hydrated

Not only is your skin thirsty, but your entire body is dehydrated after a sunburn. Drink a lot of fluids, especially water and sports drinks.

Heal Naturally

There are a number of natural options for healing a sunburn. For one, try witch hazel for anti-inflammatory relief. Moisten a cloth with it and drape the cloth over your burn for several minutes. Fat-free milk can also help soothe your burn. In the shower, instead of using soap, try vinegar, which is a great astringent.

Once your sunburn heals, don't be afraid to go out in the sun again. Just make sure you are thoroughly protected. If you have a bad habit of not remembering to reapply sunscreen, consider wearing UV wear, which is clothing with UPF in it. This is a great way to protect your skin all day long.

Author: Melissa Darcey

At Sundriven®, we are committed to helping women protect themselves against skin cancer. A lot of people assume their chances of getting skin cancer are rare, or that they can easily have the cancer removed. However, skin cancer is serious and affects millions of people every year.

Here, we share some important facts you should know about skin cancer.

• Every year, around 5 million people in the U.S. are treated for skin cancer.
• 1 in 5 people in the U.S. will get skin cancer during their lifetime.
• 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are a result of exposure to UV radiation from the sun.
• Skin cancer risk doubles once you experience more than five sunburns in a lifetime. Just one bad sunburn can double the risk of melanoma.
• Exposure to tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%.
• Skin cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all cancers combined.

Yes, this sounds scary, but we aren't here to make you afraid of leaving the house or ever spending time in the sun. Thanks to sunscreen and our line of UV wear, you can enjoy the sun and the outdoors without risking your skin's health. Here are a few simple tips on how to protect yourself:

• Wear a hat if you'll be out in the sun for an extended period of time. Many people forget that their scalp is just as vulnerable as the rest of their body.
• Don't forget your hands! The skin on your hands is much thinner than on your arms or legs. This means it's easier for your skin to be damaged by UV rays. Even when you are driving, the sun peaks through your windows and hits your hands, so consider wearing UV driving gloves while on the road.
• When using sunscreen, you must reapply every 80 minutes or so, even more if you are swimming or sweating. Don't apply a moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning and think you're set for the rest of the day. If you have trouble forgetting to reapply sunscreen, consider wearing UV wear to cover your arms, legs, hands, and chest. With sun protection within the fabric, you're always protected!

Author: Melissa Darcey

If you suffer from diabetes, you likely have a love-hate relationship with the sun. While we all enjoy the beauty of the outdoors (and the natural Vitamin D from the sun!), the harmful UV rays can cause serious damage to our skin, especially for those who are diabetic. Why is this?

First of all, a number of diabetes medications increase your sensitivity to the sun. Your skin will burn faster and more severely. Some medications can even act as photosensitizing agents, which can actually increase your chances of skin cancer.

Secondly, a common complication of diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, is the impaired ability to adjust to temperature increases. So when you are in the sun, it can be hard for your body to naturally cool down in the heat. You could become dehydrated and your body could overheat if you spend too much time exposed in the sun.

But this doesn’t have to put a damper on your summer or time spent outdoors. With Sundriven®, you no longer have to chase shadows and hide from the sun. Our products are made with PrioriTec™, which are botanical fibers. With zero chemical additives, there’s no risk of skin irritation—perfect for those with sensitive skin.

What really makes Sundriven® a unique and perfect for those suffering from diabetes is our fabric’s temperature controlling abilities. Depending on the climate, our products will either absorb or release moisture, helping the skin maintain a constant temperature. When it’s cool out, your skin will stay warm without feeling sweaty or clammy. When it's warm out, your skin stays cool.

We take care of your sun protection so you can focus on having fun without worrying about reapplying sunscreen or your body temperature rising. With products ranging from driving gloves and wraps to dresses and tops, we have your wardrobe essentials covered. Learn more about Sundriven and start shopping at www.sundriven.com.

Author: Melissa Darcey