The risks of sunburn - What’s the cost of tanning?

The Risks of Sunburn - What’s the Cost of Tanning?

The beautiful weather, radiant sunshine, pleasant long nights, and endless entertainment options make summer our favorite season. But the harmful factors that come with the heat take a toll on both skin and hair. UV radiation, the risks of sunburn, high humidity, seawater, chlorine, and frequent hair washing pose challenges in hair and skincare. What are the dangers of sunburn? How can we prevent them, and what should we do if the sun damage is already done? Read on to learn everything about the risks of sunburn and how to prevent it.

HOW DOES SUNBURN HAPPEN?

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays. These rays are a part of the light provided by the sun, but excessive exposure can damage the skin. In response to UV rays, the skin produces melanin pigment. Melanin darkens the skin to protect itself by blocking the rays from causing damage. This is why we tan under the sun. However, most people do not produce enough melanin to fully shield their skin from UV radiation, which is when the risks of sunburn arise.

In summer, sunlight hits at a steep angle, making it stronger and more focused. People with fair skin, blue eyes, and blonde or red hair tend to produce less melanin. They face a higher risk of sunburn because their skin doesn’t offer sufficient protection. Anyone who works or spends time outdoors on warm, sunny days, especially at high altitudes, is at particular risk. Tanning beds also emit UV rays that can cause sunburn. Additionally, UV rays can penetrate clouds, so it’s always important to ensure proper skin protection.

What’s the Cost of Tanning?

A small amount of UV radiation is good for us, as it helps produce vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption. The body needs calcium to build and maintain healthy bones. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), UV rays can also help treat certain health conditions. They have disinfectant and sterilizing effects.

However, too much sun exposure can be harmful. Some skin cells may cluster with melanin, leading to freckles and moles. Over time, these can develop into cancer. Prolonged time in the sun accelerates skin aging, leading to wrinkles, tightness, leathery skin texture, and dark spots. White blood cells work to protect the body, and when the skin is burned, they help create new cells.

This process, however, can compromise the immune system in other areas. UV rays can damage the tissues of the eyes, burning the outer layer called the cornea. They may also blur vision and, over time, cause cataracts, which can lead to blindness if untreated. While most skin cancers are not melanoma, melanoma is less common but far more severe. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Sunburn

Symptoms of sunburn usually begin a few hours after prolonged sun exposure. The skin becomes bright pink or red and feels warm to the touch. Sunburn is often painful, and the skin may appear swollen or develop small, fluid-filled blisters. As the damaged skin starts to peel, it may itch, and the new skin underneath may feel sensitive.

Severe sunburn can cause headaches, fever, and nausea. If you experience such symptoms, or if the burn doesn’t improve within a few days, consult a doctor immediately.

What Can You Do If the SUN Damage Is Already Done?

Cooling and Healing

Aloe vera, known for its medicinal properties, is an excellent remedy for minor burns, sunburn, insect bites, and wound healing. If you experience any of these issues, snap off a piece of the lower leaves and apply it to the affected area. The gel promotes collagen production necessary for connective tissue fibers and creates a protective layer on the skin. Aloe vera’s impressive cooling, healing, and disinfecting properties often outperform standard after-sun products.

It contains beta-carotene, vitamins C and E (antioxidants), as well as vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals. The enzyme bradykinase in aloe vera helps reduce excessive inflammation when applied topically. Aloe vera also increases collagen cross-linking, making it effective in wound contraction.

At Oxygeni Hair & Skin, we work exclusively with high-quality, natural active ingredients, including aloe vera, often referred to as a miracle plant. Its properties extend beyond treating skin injuries—it helps enhance the beauty of your face, scalp, and hair. Our Aloe Vera Gel is produced through cold pressing, preserving the plant’s natural beneficial properties. It works perfectly as a standalone solution for sunburn and performs exceptionally as a carrier product, enhancing the absorption of oils, serums, and creams into deeper layers of the skin.

Hydration

Most after-sun creams contain chemicals and/or fragrances that can irritate damaged skin. To restore your skin after sun exposure and its negative effects, it’s essential to choose an effective, chemical-free moisturizer that immediately soothes irritation and dryness. When selecting a moisturizer, it’s also worth considering whether it supports epithelialization—the formation of new skin tissue at the site of damaged skin, promoting cell regeneration. A hydrating and wound-healing moisturizer relieves discomfort and works throughout every stage of the healing process.

The Repair Cream, thanks to its special ingredients—macadamia oil, rice oil, and shea butter—deeply nourishes and regenerates damaged hair and skin. It contains essential vitamins A, E, and D, and also promotes epithelialization. This skincare cream is made from 100% natural ingredients that penetrate deeply into the fibers, nourishing the structure of hair and skin from within.

Best of all, it’s not just for treating sunburn. Unlike conventional moisturizers, the multifunctionality of Oxygeni Hair & Skin products allows you to use them on your face, body, hair, and scalp throughout any season to ensure optimal hydration and reduce inflammation.

Replenish Lost Antioxidants

Sun exposure not only damages the skin but also depletes its antioxidant reserves, leading to premature aging. To combat this, use serums and tonics rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, as well as hydrating serums to restore moisture. Additionally, opt for creams free from petroleum derivatives, specifically designed to address these issues, which can help slow the aging process.

Having a diet rich in natural antioxidants can also provide additional protection, allowing more time in the sun without burning. Carotenoid compounds found in colorful fruits protect against the cell-damaging effects of UV radiation.

Use Chemical-Free Products

It’s essential to prioritize chemical-free products for both hair and skincare. Aim to replace products containing silicones, parabens, or other harmful chemicals with safer alternatives. Burned skin is damaged and far more sensitive, and harsh chemicals in standard products can worsen the situation.

Oxygeni Hair & Skin products are made from 100% natural ingredients and are packed with vitamins and beneficial active agents to strengthen and protect hair and skin from negative environmental factors.

treat the harmful effects of Summer with the following products

The Aloe Vera Gel and Repair Cream provide the perfect solution for treating sunburn, insect bites, wounds, and scars.

Repair Cream

Thanks to its rich composition of rice, macadamia, grape seed, and flaxseed oils, this product is a nourishing miracle not only for the skin but also for the hair. It hydrates the skin and replenishes it with essential nutrients. It can be used as a body lotion, face cream, and treatment for various skin conditions such as rosacea, seborrhea, eczema, and dry, dehydrated, rash-prone skin. It adds shine to the hair, softens even the most stubborn split ends, and its effects are noticeable for days.

Usage:

For skin care, pump 1–5 pumps of Aloe Vera Gel into your hand (depending on the size of the area) and gently apply it to your face or affected skin. Once the gel is nearly absorbed, apply an appropriate amount of Repair Cream to the same area. These products are highly effective for treating sunburned skin, wound care, tattoo regeneration, and insect bites.

For hair care, mix 10 pumps of Aloe Vera Gel with 2 pumps of Repair Cream in a spray bottle (for long hair), or 5 pumps of gel with 1 pump of cream (for short hair). Spray the mixture evenly onto your hair and scalp. If your hair tends to feel heavy, adjust the mix to 5–6 pumps of gel with half a pump of cream. This treatment can be used as a primer for protection or as aftercare to ensure deep hydration and nourishment.

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THE BEST TREATMENT IS PREVENTION!

A good start is wearing a hat to protect your scalp, face, and lips. Use sunglasses with UV-blocking lenses to protect your eyes. Dark, tightly woven clothing blocks more UV rays than light-colored, loose fabrics. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, look for clothing with UPF (UV Protection Factor).

A good sunscreen should have an SPF factor of 30+ and be applied 15–30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply it every 40–80 minutes. Avoid using expired sunscreen, especially if it’s been more than three years. Old sunscreen deteriorates and doesn’t offer effective protection.

While most of us are aware of the importance of sunscreen and wouldn’t step outside without proper protection, many forget that our hair also needs this kind of defense. The combination of Repair Cream and Aloe Vera Gel can be used not only as after-sun but also as prptection for hair ends, skin, or the scalp.

If you are taking antihistamines, antibiotics, antidepressants, ibuprofen, antipsychotics, or cholesterol-lowering medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist to find out how these medications may affect you in the sun.

SUN-DAMAGED HAIR

Is your hair dry, brittle, hard to comb, lighter in color, and frizzy? We’ve all experienced similar effects after a vacation, especially when we expose our hair to the harmful effects of summer. Prevention is better than cure, so if you’re planning a trip and want to minimize sun damage, be sure to protect and precondition your hair. Wearing a straw hat or a lightweight scarf is not only fashionable but also provides excellent protection from UV radiation. However, without proper care, the state of your hair will only worsen during the summer months.

Dry hair absorbs excess moisture from the environment, causing the strands to swell and creating cuticle cracks. That’s why it’s essential not to forget about preconditioning your hair when heading to the beach. Before jumping into the water, treat your hair to a special conditioning cream to make it more resistant to external factors. Just like our skin, our hair acts as a sponge, and applying a protective cream before it encounters seawater or chlorine can provide extra defense against damaging factors, as important as UV protection.

A truly great product is multifunctional, which means you can use it for your hair, skin, and entire body, saving you time, money, energy, and space in your bag.

SCALP SUNBURN

The scalp is probably one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to sun protection. While our hair may protect most of our scalp from harmful UV rays, some parts remain unprotected, such as the area around the parting. Those with thinning hair or bald spots are especially vulnerable to scalp sunburn. Did you know that the scalp ages much faster than the skin on your face?

It’s important to pay extra attention to protecting your scalp. The best method is to cover your scalp, either with a UV-protective hat, scarf, or sunscreen, just as you would for the rest of your body. It’s easy to tell if your scalp is sunburned. Just like sunburned skin on other areas of the body, sunburned scalp symptoms include warmth, itching, redness, sensitivity, dry, peeling skin, and blisters.

Aloe vera and proper moisturizers can help soothe sunburned scalps. Hydrating products prevent peeling, and because sunburned skin is inflamed and sensitive, it’s important to use fragrance-free, chemical-free skincare products regularly. These help nourish and hydrate the scalp while restoring its protective function.

EXTRA HELP WITH OXYGEN THERAPY

Oxygen therapy is based on strengthening the immune system, making it an effective treatment for any scalp or skin problem, offering visible results. During the treatment, a complex of valuable vitamins and minerals is delivered to the deepest layers of the skin, where cell metabolism occurs.

Antioxidants are delivered to the skin using pressurized oxygen, following a micro-camera diagnosis and skin exfoliation. The treatment contains only natural active ingredients, making it risk-free. Experts carry out the procedure, creating an individualized treatment plan for each specific problem.

Instead of superficial and often unhealthy solutions, Oxygeni Hair products contain chemical-free and natural active ingredients. As a result, they deeply nourish the scalp, reduce irritation, and also alleviate inflammation. Choose Oxygeni Cosmetics for a natural solution!