A mother's Facebook post on using shaving cream as sunburn treatment has gone viral, raising questions on whether the suggested home remedy is indeed an effective cure for the painful condition.
It is highly recommended for people to properly apply sunscreen before going out in the sun. However, in cases where sunburn happens, a mother from Texas swears by the effectiveness of shaving foam as a cure for sunburn.
Shaving Cream: Apparently, A Cure For Sunburn
A Facebook post by Cindie Allen-Stewart shared what she described as a "miracle cure" for sunburn, and it can likely be found in most homes.
According to Allen-Stewart, she has not found an effective way to treat sunburns. She then used a method suggested by her mother-in-law, who has been using it for a decade.
Apparently, shaving cream works wonders as sunburn treatment, though it has to be of the menthol foam variant. The menthol foam shaving cream will have to be applied to the entire area of the sunburn but not rubbed in.
Allen-Stewart said that by letting the shaving cream sit on the skin, it will draw out all the heat. It may also lead to some itching, but she said that "itching means healing." After 30 minutes, the mother from Texas said that the shaving cream should have dissolved and feel dried out in some spots, with the sunburned areas becoming cold. The shaving cream should then be rinsed off with either cold or lukewarm water. The process should be repeated daily as necessary until the sunburn is completely gone.
Dermatologist Dr. Ross Radusky of SoHo Skin and Laser Dermatology in New York City said that there may be some science behind the home remedy. This is because shaving cream functions as a great moisturizer, with glycerin for healing the skin and menthol for cooling it.
Sunscreen Tips For Adults And Babies
While the jury is still out on whether shaving cream should be treated as a legitimate cure for sunburn, people should remember the saying that prevention is always better than cure.
People should always apply sunscreen before going out, especially in the summer, and should follow the proper sunscreen tips. Parents should also apply sunscreen for babies and toddlers, alongside other methods to protect them from the sun.
However, no matter what the circumstances, people should never believe that sunscreen capsules will protect the skin from sunburn. According to the Food and Drug Administration, sunscreen pills simply do not work as advertised and should never replace sunscreen.
