Skinburns, skin tan, no more

Stuck in a two kilometre-long traffic jam on the Ring Road, in the sultry heat, one can either curse one’s luck, the notorious city traffic or make use of the time observing the sights and sounds, people and road etiquette! Just when the signal went green, Metrolife came across a striking number of college girls, all covered and secured with scarves and gloves covering the arms.

In the blistering heat with the temperature hitting 42 degrees, the sight of these youngsters wrapped up like Egyptian Mummies, boggles the mind. But there is a method to this ‘madness’, as Metrolife soon learnt. A curious passerby asked one of the girls riding a scooty, “Why do you cover yourself like that.”

“To protect our skin from getting tanned and sunburnt. It’s not rocket science!” was the young lady’s feisty reply.

True. This is a problem that most of us face during summers. So, while some consciously make an effort to protect themselves from the harmful UV rays, others prefer to visit the friendly neighbourhood beauty parlour for a quick-fix treatment of the tan. Metrolife spoke to Sarita Mehra, co-owner of Daffodils Beauty and Hair Designs who suggested some convenient and easy home remedies to lighten the skin and protect it from sunburn and tan.

“Hardly do summers arrive, and I have all my clients worrying about the tan that their skins will suffer from, if they are out in the sun for too long,” says Mehra. “Even though I tell them about the variety of facials, scrubs and bleaches that are readily available at the parlour, skin-friendly home remedies and use of natural products is always my first suggestion to them.”

Enlightening Metrolife with some of her personal beauty secrets, she says, “For starters, one can rub a slice of tomato over the tanned parts of the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Also, mashed papaya can be applied in the same way. If repeated daily, one can feel the results in less than a week’s time.”

“Lal masoor dal is readily available in every household. Small of amounts of the dal can be soaked and ground into a paste. By adding a few drops of lemon and chandan (sandalwood) powder you have a soothing face pack ready to be applied. Keep it on your face for 10 minutes and then gently scrub in circular motions and rinse it off. Rub a cube of ice to restore the glow and feel fresh,” adds Penny D’souza another beautician.

The good thing is that our kitchen provides for everything and we really do not have to go that extra length to buy stuff. For instance one can beat the heat and work on the tan at the same time, if certain homemade cooling agents are used. “Mix a pinch of haldi (turmeric) and shehed (honey) in a bowlful of chilled curd and apply it on the affected area. This will help treat the sunburn and dark tan patches on the skin” says Mehra, addressing those who find it difficult to tackle the summer skin problems. A lot of people, including men, use excessive amounts of Sun Protection Formulas (SPF) to protect themselves from the scorching summer sun.

Mehra explains, “For someone who doesn’t have to be out in the sun for a long duration, SPF 30 is more than enough. If used in excessive amounts, SPFs can adversely affect the skin and cause burns.”

“For those who are into tiring ‘field work’, an SPF of 50 strength must be applied after every three to four hours,” she adds.

Well, these quick, user-friendly remedies are surely a welcome option as compared to those expensive skin treatments that involve the use of harmful chemicals, and take away the natural charm and softness of the skin. Try a few of these remedies and feel
the difference!