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SUNBURNS A sunburn is a radiation burn to the skin, produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, commonly from the sun’s rays. There are numerous topical skin products that can relieve the pain of a sunburn and speed up the healing process. Allantoin, panthenol, allicin and the thick mucilaginous gel of the Aloe vera plant or aloe-based products are popular treatments that help resolve the burn and relieve pain. HEALING POWER OF VITAMIN E Called a miraculous antioxidant by some, vitamin E has been shown to be particularly beneficial for problem skin. Vitamin E has been used in clinical dermatology as a treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including superficial burns, eczema, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous ulcers and other inflammatory skin diseases (Panin, Strumia and Ursini, 2004). It is also known to aid in the resolution of scarring, and help prevent and reduce the look of stretch marks.
In skin treated with vitamin E, the cellular markers of free radical damage were significantly decreased, suggesting that vitamin E effectively protects the skin from UV-induced oxidative damage (Saral et al, 2002). Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that the body cannot produce. Raw vegetable oils, nuts, nut butters, rice bran oil and barley are all good sources of vitamin E. Dietary supplementation and topical application increase the concentration of vitamin E in the skin, although topical application delivers this important vitamin directly to the skin, increasing the levels of vitamin E faster and more effectively than dietary supplementation (Packer and Colman, 2003). Topically applied vitamin E is an excellent and intense moisturizer to promote soft, smooth and healthy skin, and protect it from free radical damage.
As a topical treatment, vitamin E helps moisturize the skin and optimize skin health. One function of the epidermis is called the barrier function. Our skin has a natural barrier, a waterproof seal that keeps moisture in the skin and prevents evaporation and moisture loss. Both the natural aging process and environmental influences cause the barrier to break down, allowing skin to lose moisture and become dry and susceptible to skin damage. Vitamin E helps to restore and maintain the barrier function, locking moisture into the skin and preventing dehydration (Panin, Strumia and Ursini, 2004). As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps protect the skin from free radical damage. Multiple studies document the protective effect of vitamin E against UV-induced skin damage. In one study, researchers topically applied vitamin E to the skin daily for three weeks, and then exposed the skin to UVB irradiation.
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