Summer is here, and that means it’s time to shed those winter layers and soak up that vitamin D. That said, whether you’re out for lunch, relaxing at the beach, or just gardening in the backyard, all that sun can leave you feeling tight and sore at the end of the day.
Forget your sunscreen and spend a little too much time in the sun? Forget the aloe – maybe CBD for sunburn is the answer.
Let’s dive in.
The Endocannabinoid System and Your Skin
The Endocannabinoid System is found throughout all your body’s major organs. And that includes the skin – it’s your body’s largest organ after all.
It’s main job is to bring about homeostasis, or balance. When something is off kilter in your body, the Endocannabinoid System responds. It signals the affected systems to work to bring it back in line.
When you get a sunburn, there are a few different levels of intensity:
- If the heat source only damages the outer layer of the skin, this is a first-degree burn. The skin will be red and painful, but otherwise intact. These usually fade away after a few days.
- A sunburn that also damages the under-layer of skin is a second-degree burn. These usually are more painful and can cause the skin to turn blistered and blotchy. Second-degree burns also eventually heal on their own, but there’s a higher risk of further damage and scarring.
With each one of these, your Endocannabinoid System sits up and takes notice, getting to work. It signals the immune system which reacts to the trauma by sending warning signals that it’s damaged (that causes the pain) and extra blood to the area (thus the heat and redness).
So what will CBD do when added to the mix?
CBD for Sunburn
As mentioned, when the sun’s rays burn your skin, your body responds with inflammation which makes skin pressure painful. Studies show that CBD has potent anti-inflammatory properties. These actively suppresses the body’s inflammatory response to reduce pain and redness. of sunburn and promotes healing. When you use CBD for sunburn, it helps regulate the body’s inflammatory response by binding to the receptors in the ES.
When this happens, it helps to reduce inflammation and redness, creating an overall sense of calm for your skin.
How to use CBD for Sunburn
Typically when we think of a sunburn, we think of tight, inflamed skin that might be painful to the touch. Obviously, this would mean we’d look for a topical CBD salve to soothe than pain and reduce inflammation. So, that’s one way to use CBD for sunburn – gently apply a topical salve or lotion to the area that was hit hard by those UV rays.
But it isn’t the only way.
Obviously, the aches and pains are not a welcome result of a sunburn. Since CBD has been shown to help reduce pain, this makes it a definite go-to. Plus, when you get a sunburn, you might also notice a few other symptoms that leave you feeling, well, less than sunny. A fever, chills, nausea, or headache are probably not going to have you turning to a salve, so in this case a tincture would be the way to go.
Together, this combo will tackle both the internal and external affects of too much sun, getting you back to enjoying the summer much faster!
And next time, don’t forget that sunscreen!