Natural Remedy for Sunburn Prevention: Sunscreen Move Over!

My skin is fair and I have a tendency to burn. Over the years, I've looked for a natural remedy to cure sunburn. Imagine my surprise when I accidentally discovered how to prevent sunburn. Does this sound too good to be true? I don't think it is. My discovery has worked for me for almost 10 years. It has worked for my friends and clients as well.

Natural Remedy for Sunburn Prevention: A Wonderful Discovery

I discovered this wonderful natural remedy accidentally. About 10 years ago, I took high amounts of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables in capsule form. The product is known as a 'whole food' supplement. After I took the product for about six months, I noticed my hands looked orange. I was shocked until I remembered I took at least 5 recommended servings of fruits and vegetables per day for the past several months.

I decided to cut back from my high intake of the capsules since orange hands look peculiar. This incident took place in the spring and later that summer, I noticed I wasn't getting sunburned. This is unusual for me since I usually get a sunburn every year even though I use sunscreen. I didn't think anything about it at the time but I did wonder if I was imagining this or what.

Some of my friends also took higher doses of the same capsules. At a mid-summer gathering we attended, the subject of sunburn came up. It came up because all of us had noticed we weren't experiencing sunburn as usual. After talking about it for a while, we decided it had to be the tomatoes in the capsules that kept us from getting the sunburns. Since tomatoes need a lot of sun and do well growing in the sun, why wouldn't we have the same result?

We knew the capsules contain at least 17 fruits and vegetables. This was the minimum amount we consumed daily even though some of us took more than the recommended amount. Although we aren't aware of the total amount of tomatoes in the capsules, we figured tomatoes are a natural remedy for sunburn prevention.

During the next few years, all of us continued to take the capsules with the same results as before. None of us got sunburns as long as we took the capsules. I don't have any scientific evidence to back this claim. All I can share is my experience and I think it makes common sense. If tomatoes do well in the sun, then why wouldn't I when I consume them?

Natural Remedy for Sunburn Prevention: Whole Food Supplements

I didn't worry about taking an overdose since the capsules contain whole foods. Whole food is the way nature intends us to consume food. And the body recognizes whole food so it absorbs nutrients better than with processed nutrients. I recommend whole food supplements when you can find them.

If you plan to try whole food supplements, check for tomatoes in the ingredients. I can't recommend a dosage amount because this is based on trial and error. I will say this though. I have often tried things before scientific studies are available only to have it confirmed later. My hope is that the information here will interest someone in studying lycopene for sunburn. I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

Take the supplements according to directions at least two months before sun exposure. You want a build-up of nutrients in the skin. Continue taking the supplements throughout the summer until fall. If you choose to continue to take the supplements year round, that is okay too. It's just food.

Natural Remedy for Sunburn Prevention: Lycopene

Lycopene is what gives tomatoes their red color. You have probably heard of it for prevention of prostate cancer and macular disease. Lycopene is an antioxidant and according to the book: Unlock the Power of Lycopene, the body deposits lycopene in the skin. It is easy to assume that the skin becomes as protected from the sun as tomatoes do. It is well-known that tomatoes require a lot of sun to grow well.

If you purchase lycopene, follow the directions on your product. This is because lycopene is extracted from tomatoes so it is in a different form than a whole food. Start taking your product about a month or even two before you get in the sun. This gives your body a chance to store the lycopene in the skin tissues. Continue taking it throughout the summer for sunburn prevention. You can cut back whenever fall approaches but start the cycle over again the following spring. There are plenty of other benefits science has discovered that you can expect from taking lycopene too. You may choose to continue taking it throughout the year.

I find that both lycopene and tomato whole food supplements result in a natural remedy for sunburn prevention for me. I take one or the other every spring and throughout the summer. I also wonder if I protect myself from skin cancer using these products. I have no scientific evidence for this yet. It's just an assumption on my part. I still use sunscreen but it has never kept me from getting sunburns in the past.

I am glad to share my natural remedy for sunburn prevention. If you try these suggestions, you will have to do so at your own risk. Just be sure to follow the package directions on whatever product you purchase. I hope this makes your summers much more enjoyable and worry free. Look for my upcoming article on natural treatment for sunburn. I hope you won't need it but it's good to have the information.

Sources:
Author's Own Experience
http://www.lycopene.org/

This article is for information purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical assistance. Author is not held responsible or liable for the use of this information. Use at your own risk.