Help! It’s the day before my wedding and I’m completely sunburnt; what do I do?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; one thing all brides-to-be should definitely avoid before their wedding is sunbathing. We definitely understand how hard it is to ignore the alluring Caribbean seas, powder white sand and endless dirty bananas, however you have to try! Sometimes a destination wedding bride can get caught up in pre-wedding day drinks and fun with her bridesmaids and forget just how long she’s been playing in the sun. I’ve also known a bride or two who thought she could beat the odds on touching up her tan by laying in the sun (with NO sunscreen) for a couple of hours. Ladies (and some Gents) as an island girl trust me, it’s a dangerous game and the sun always wins.

Luckily, we’ve scored some amazing tips from trained esthetician and Red Lane Spa skin expert, Paulette who shared with us how to beat the burn and save you from sunburn the day before wedding time, no matter the destination you’re in!

Tip 1: Aloe is your new B.F.F.

One of the best methods to relieve sun burn is fresh aloe. Fresh aloe plant, peeled and refrigerated to a nice chill is a great all natural remedy for cooling and soothing sunburned skin. Aloe will also naturally dehydrate skin. Once aloe has been applied to the face, a soothing, moisturising face cream must be used afterwards to ensure you skin does not lose any hydration.

Red Lane Spa Rescue Tip:  If you’re on resort and you don’t have fresh aloe plant, we have a powerhouse combo for any sunburn with the Red Lane Aloe Recovery Gel and Rosehip Aloe Lotion rescue plan!

First you would apply the Aloe Recovery Gel. This Aloe Recovery Gel is a 100% all-natural ‘ambulance in a bottle’ combination of Aloe Extract, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and Vitamin E that with help soothe the burn, prevent swelling or irritation and start the healing process. For an ultra-skin-soothing effect, we recommend keeping the Recovery Gel in your refrigerator.

Next, you should apply the rich Rosehip Aloe lotion which is made up of Rose Hips Oil, Squalling and Shea butter – this will provide an ultra-hydrating dose of moisture that will help you to achieve and maintain healthy soft skin.

Tip 2: Avocado is your saving grace.

Just like Aloe, Avocado is all natural and all amazing for sun burned skin. Avocado has the natural ability to protect the skin from solar radiation (sun rays) which means you really shouldn’t go on vacation without a good avocado face mask. It’s also hypo-allergenic and has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin quickly moisturising and softening it.

There are a ton of really quick and easy d-i-y, avocado face masks floating around but this is one we really like because it’s designed to strengthen the skin’s natural defences, heal dry and flaky skin (like from sunburn peeling) and it’s suitable for dehydrated skin (which happens when you’re sunburned).  We recommend making some pre-travel and bringing it with you with the rest of your cosmetics.

What You’ll Need

2 tbsp. mashed avocado

1tbsp. Alove Vera juice or Aloe Vera gel

½ tsp. brewer’s yeast

Clean Bowl

Spoon

Clean and dry towel

Instructions
Step 1: Mash the avocado pulp in a bowl and add the Aloe Vera juice or gel. Mix together until they form a smooth paste.

Step 2: Apply to face and neck, making sure to avoid the eye area and leave it on for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Rinse off the mask with lukewarm water. Use a clean towel to plot your face dry.

It’s recommended to use this mask once a week normally.

Red Lane Spa Rescue Tip 2: If it’s the day before you’re wedding on-resort, and you don’t have an avocado face mask ready, luckily for you, Red Lane Spa has crafted the ‘Sun Lover’ facial just for such a dilemma! This ultra-hydrating treatment offers serious relief for sensitive skin as it calms, soothes and replenishes the most aggravated, irritated, inflamed skin. By targeting the triggers behind redness, itching and stinging, this treatment will help recover your skin’s health and have you ready to walk down the aisle in no time!

Tip 3: A good scrub helps the peeling skin go away.

If you’ve already gone through the horrible sunburn and you’re beginning to experience the peeling stage, then this tip is for you.The dreaded skin peeling after being sun burned is definitely not a process you want to be going through ON the day of your wedding! Luckily you can safely speed up this process with a little natural oil and coarse, natural sugar. You can try this method the night before your wedding or the day before but try not to do it three times in a row or you’ll risk over ex-foliating your skin.

What You’ll Need

1 tbsp. castor oil

2 tbsp. Olive Oil (You can also use almond, avocado, or coconut oils if your prefer).

1 tbsp. of a light exfoliant like Bamboo Fiber Powder

A bowl

A clean and dry towel

Instructions

Mix the olive oil and castor oil together in a small container.

Spread it over you face as you would a cleanser making sure to avoid your eyes.

With the sugar in your hand, scrub your face over the oil mixture. Try not to be too rough, the sugar will do that for you.

Using a clean towel in water as warm as you can stand it, wipe the oil mixture off of your face. You may need to rinse the towel and wipe your face again to get all of the sugar and oil off. Once dry, your skin will feel soft to the touch and the peeling skin will have been sloughed off.

Red Lane Spa Rescue Tip 3: Do NOT use this process while you are sunburned or the day after being sunburned. Sunburned skin could not manage a large grain exfoliation like this due to the skin being highly irritated and sensitive. This would aggravate the sensitive and maybe make her even redder.  The only time you would use an exfoliation on a sunburn is when the burn has gone and you are experiencing peeling. When getting ready to do a scrub use a light exfoliant like Red Lane Spa’s Bamboo Fiber scrub which is light and better for the skin on your face.

What methods have you used to rid yourself of the dreaded sunburn in the past? Tell us below!