Sunburnification

[MissInformation]

I can burn in 15 minutes, but it's been over 10 years since I've gotten a sunburn. I once had a sunburn so bad that I couldn't wear clothing for 2 days (yes, I had to stay in bed with just a sheet to cover me, the blisters were that bad). And ever since that sunburn, I've developed an allergy to sunlight and my arms and hands break out in an itchy rash if exposed to too much sunlight (an hour or more) even if I'm wearing sunblock, no matter how high the SPF is or how often I apply it. At least that was true until last year when I discovered Coppertone's Spectra3 (50 SPF for me). I used it all last summer and it seems to block whatever causes me to react to sunlight like that.

Not to lecture any of you but please don't dismiss the damage the sun can do. I take after my father, he burns just as easily. And after battling skin cancer once, he still doesn't use sunblock. And if any of you don't want to think of the health issues, think of the vanity issues: premature aging. Yes, a tan may look nice now, but it is taking a toll on your skin, and an occasional use of moisturizer is not going to reverse that damage.

But should you find yourself with a sunburn, Aloe is one of the best for keeping your skin from drying out. Noxema is also good, plus it feels soooooo good on a burn (that would be the camphor and eucalyptus oil). It's got a strong smell that some people don't like, but to me it always smells like comfort.

Heidi