The Power of the Sun and Sunscreen

Sun burns and blisters

     There are a few things more painful than a bad burn but not many.  A sunburn can make a person miserable for a very long time not to mention the fact the sun can cause cancer. I recently heard "One bad sunburn before the age of 18 doubles your chance at melanoma."  I’ve seen the effects of sun and skin cancer and yet I love to spend time in the sun. 
     When I was young I didn’t know about skin cancer and sunscreen.  I loved to lay out in the sun soaked in baby oil all day long.  When I learned about the effects of the sun I tried to not spend quite as much time in the sun.  Lathered in sunscreen I figured I could be out in the sun longer and be ok.  I even convinced myself this was almost ok for the kids too.  But after the kids were seriously burned while wearing sunscreen  and after viewing this alarming video I’m more concerned than ever.  Reading articles like the following don’t help alleviate my fears or concerns regarding time in the sun and sunscreen.
     With many sunny summer days ahead it’s time for a reminder.  Stay out of the direct sunlight from 10am-2pm, wear a wide brimmed hat, wear sunglasses that protect against damaging sun rays, wear protective clothing and wear safe and effective suncreen if you must be out in the sun. Find out more information about the sun and sunscreens online at this informative website.
     If you do happen to get a sunburn try this remedy from DIY.
The Problem: Sunburn
No matter how hard we try to slather on the sunscreen, it’s almost inevitable that someone in the family will get too much sun this summer.
Store-bought soothers can cost big bucks, and the back of the bottle often reads like a science experiment. But you can easily whip up an all-natural salve of your own that will provide just as much relief on the cheap.
DIY Fix: Cucumber, Aloe and Honey Salve
Price: $5 or less
What you’ll need: half a cucumber, aloe vera gel and honey
How to make it
1. Peel the cucumber with a vegetable peeler, and mash it up with a fork in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Add four tablespoons of aloe vera gel. If you have an aloe plant around the house, you can squeeze the gel right out of a fresh leaf, or you can buy a small bottle of pure aloe vera gel from your local health food store.
3. Next, add about three tablespoons of honey and stir well with a spoon. Depending on the juiciness of your cucumber, you may need to add a little extra honey. The mixture should be firm enough to stay on the affected area without dripping off.
4. Clean the burn well with cool water and a gentle soap before applying the mixture. Leave it on for about 20 minutes, and wash with cool water when finished.
The cucumber, aloe and honey all have soothing, cooling properties. All would work on a burn or sunburn on their own, but when used together, the mixture quickly relieves pain and promotes faster healing.