What started as a day in the park or fun at the beach has landed you with a red, burning, peeling, itchy battle wound that makes you wonder if humans were actually meant to live on Earth at all.
Sunburns are a major cause of skin cancer and premature aging. According to some studies, five or more sunburns more than double your chances of developing deadly melanoma, and the chances of a burn increase the higher the UV index that day — a constant concern given Japan’s extended and amplified summer heat.
Whether you’re someone with deep or olive-toned skin or a pasty vampire like me, all sun exposure causes damage. Even tanned skin indicates harm to the epidermis, dermis, and, most importantly, your skin’s DNA.
The silver lining to the inevitability of getting a sunburn in Japan means there are numerous products out there to help you recover as quickly as possible.
Aloe, aloe and more aloe
In addition to hydrating (burnt, inflamed skin will draw fluid away from the rest of your body, potentially exacerbating dehydration symptoms from a full day in the sun) and the occasional painkiller for particularly nasty sunburns, this is sunburn 101 advice for most people. The aloe vera succulent plant is one small shred of evidence that perhaps the universe does love us. The pulp from the leaves of aloe vera contain the gel acemannan, which has been used for centuries to relieve topical conditions such as burns, frostbite, rashes, psoriasis, dry skin and, of course, sunburns.
Many people champion the pure gel of the aloe vera plant if you happen to have a potted aloe plant on hand. For most, however, the more accessible and effective products are Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel or Aloe Skin Gel 99, both available in Japan online and in most drug stores like Welcia and Tomod’s. In a pinch, aloe facial masks can also be helpful.
A final hack is to chill the aloe gel in the refrigerator before application for optimal relief.
Face lotions and aftershave balms
Besides drinking water, your skin can also be rehydrated with lotions and toners. The best products for sunburns are made from bases other than alcohol (as these strip your skin of its moisture) and petroleum jelly or oil (as these can block pores so that sweat cannot escape).
Facial masks like Cica and the Hatomugi toner are excellent products that soothe and cool skin. Muji’s skin lotion is another clear, non-alcohol-based moisturizer that can help prevent peeling. And everyone’s favorite Cerave moisturizing lotion is an excellent substitute for pure aloe vera.
A final tip for beard-growing friends: Shaving a burned and peeling face is a terrible experience, or so I hear. Switching to safety razors, as cartridge razors will irritate a sunburn, and apply aftershave balm followed by a moisturizer like Cerave can make shaving less painful (if not painless).
Protect yourself
It’s the last thing to hear when your skin is beet red and radiating heat, but the aforementioned products can only do so much to help you after your skin has soaked up too many UV rays. The best cure is prevention.
The first and most popular means of sunburn prevention is sunscreen, particularly types that can withstand pools, beaches and sweaty outdoor activities (with generous reapplication and enough time — about 15 to 20 minutes — for your skin to absorb the sunscreen before you start to perspire, of course). I’m a Neutrogena Sport Face supremacist, but cheaper, local brands such as Japan’s Skin Aqua are also highly reviewed.
For day-to-day activities, I usually rely on SPF makeup base and BB creams or foundations. Since most people use much lighter amounts of these products than they would real sunscreen, it’s better to rely on UV-blocking makeup only for light outdoor use.
A good sunscreen should always be broad spectrum, offering protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. Most sunscreens in Asia use the PA+ rating system, where the more pluses indicate the higher amount of UVA protection.
When all else fails, just put something between you and the sun. Broad-brimmed hats, UV-reflecting parasols and the combo of masks and translucent visors favored by many a middle-aged woman cycling Japan’s countryside are all amazingly effective ways to protect yourself, as are light summer windbreakers, arm covers, leggings and tights with SPF fabric.
It’s not a particularly flattering option to cover yourself like a beekeeper during a sunny day at the beach, but after you get burned a few times, you just might not care.
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