Homemade ingredients to heal a nasty sunburn

While the sun has many beneficial qualities, its damaging effects are well-documented. If you've been out too long unprotected, here are some ways to heal your sunburn.

The ozone layer, which protects us from excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, isn't as thick as it used to be. The reasons why are another story, but today's reality is that more of the sun's UV radiation reaches the earth's surface. And these rays cause a variety of health problems, including skin cancer, so here are steps to protect yourself.

Since sunburn is a first-degree burn, anything that cools your skin will help relieve the pain — from a wet T-shirt to a cold linen cloth soaked in saline solution and placed over the burn. To make the solution, mix five millilitres (one teaspoon) salt to two litres (eight cups) of distilled water.

A bath with cleaver soothes the burning and tightness of stressed skin.

What you'll need:

• 100 g (3 1/2 oz) cleaver
• 2 L (8 c) waterBoil the water and cleaver for five minutes, then strain and squeeze out the cleaver. Add the broth to a lukewarm bath and soak for 20 minutes.

‣ 0–2 (Low) UV Index: minimal protection required. Wear sunglasses and apply a sunscreen with a SPF factor of 15+. Cover up if outside for more than an hour.

‣ 3–5 (Moderate) UV Index: wear a hat, sunglasses, and a sunscreen with a SPF factor of 30+. Cover up if you'll be outside for 30 minutes or more. Reduce time in the sun between 11 A.M. and 4 P.M.

‣ 6–7 (High) UV Index: protection is a must! Wear a hat, sunglasses and apply a sunscreen with a SPF factor of 45. Try to avoid direct sunlight between 11 A.M. and 4 P.M.

‣ 8–10 (Very High) UV Index: extra precautions required — unprotected skin burns quickly and can suffer long-term damage. Avoid going outside between 11 A.M. and 4 P.M., but if you must, stay in the shade and cover up. Wear a hat, sunglasses and apply a sunscreen with a SPF factor of 45+.

‣ 11+ (Extreme) UV Index: take exceptional precautions. Stay inside, but if you must go out, stay in the shade. Cover up — wear a hat, sunglasses and apply a sunscreen with a SPF factor of 60.