Vinegar For Sunburn: Myth Or Reality?

Overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can result in a painful sunburn.

Apple vinegar has been promoted as a home remedy for sunburns, but does it actif ually work?
Continue reading to find out.

What Causes Sunburn?

When you spend time in the sun, your body produces more melanin to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.
Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes color.
However, your skin will eventually reach a point where melanin production is slowed. This harms the genetic material in your skin.
To get rid of the damaged skin cells, healthy cells promote inflammation. This is referred to as the UV stress response. Skin cancer can develop when your body produces new replacement cells.
The speed with which you get a sunburn is determined by a number of factors, including your skin tone and the time of day. If you are very fair, you can get sunburned after only 15 minutes in the midday sun.
The blood vessels in your skin dilate three to four hours after sun exposure, causing the redness associated with sunburn.
The full extent of your sunburn may not be apparent for at least 24 hours. Sunburns usually reach their peak 24 to 36 hours after exposure and heal in three to five days.

You can use apple cider vinegar to treat a sunburn in a variety of ways. Although most methods advise diluting apple cider vinegar before applying it to the skin, no reliable sources provide a specific vinegar-to-water ratio.
Ensure that the vinegar is thoroughly diluted, as high concentrations can cause a burning sensation.

You can try the following methods:
Putting vinegar and water in a spray bottle to use on sunburned skin.
Using a washcloth, dip it in vinegar, wring it out, and gently pat it on the affected areas.
Bathing in a cool bath of diluted apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider has been promoted as a hair clarifyer, facial toner, wart remover, and acne treatment. It has antimicrobial properties.
However, undiluted apple cider vinegar has been known to cause burns, so make sure it's thoroughly diluted.
In 2012, an eight-year-old boy was reported to have suffered chemical burns after apple cider vinegar was applied to an infected area on his leg.

Apple cider vinegar is made from the juice left over after crushing apples.
The juice is fermented with yeast to produce ethanol.
Following that, it is fermented with bacteria to produce acetic acid and sharp, tangy vinegar.
Acetic acid levels in apple cider vinegar range from 1 to 11 percent.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommend soothing a hot sunburn with cool tap water, either through compresses or bathing.
They also advise the use of a moisturizer, aloe vera gel or liquid, or hydrocortisone cream.

A variety of factors may influence how long your sunburn symptoms last. Everyone does not react the same way to sun exposure.

The following factors, in general, make people more susceptible to severe sunburns that take longer to heal:

Remember that while sunburn symptoms are temporary, the damage to your skin and DNA is permanent.
Premature aging, wrinkles, sunspots, and skin cancer are all long-term effects. It only takes one bad sunburn to have an adverse effect.
When you go outside, apply sunscreen, wear hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing to protect your skin.

Many websites and proponents of natural healthcare claim that apple cider vinegar has exceptional health benefits, such as boosting energy and treating disease.
Unfortunately, there is little research to back up most of its health claims.
Nonetheless, some research suggests that it may have some advantages, such as killing bacteria, lowering blood sugar levels, and promoting weight loss.
As long as you don't consume excessive amounts of apple cider vinegar, it appears to be safe.
It can also be used for things other than health, such as a natural hair conditioner, skin care product, and cleaning agent.