HealthRefinery 29 UKHow To Sleep If Your Sunburn Is Keeping You Awake
The other night, I found myself with a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad sunburn (as the fabled Alexander would put it). Now, a burn is painful enough on its own, but — as I learned — it’s especially bad at night. As I tucked myself into bed, sinking into what suddenly felt like sheets made of sandpaper, my skin screamed. That night, I woke up every hour or so in pain, continuously hosing myself down with aloe vera. It was especially annoying, because I’m usually a good sleeper. I sleep through thunder, knocking, sirens — but even my super-strength REM was no match for this burn. Sunburns disrupt sleep in a couple different ways, says Ted Lain, MD, a dermatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Sanova Dermatology. “There is inflammation in the skin that causes the heat, as well as the pain from nerve irritation,” he explains. “The skin feels tight and uncomfortable because it has lost its barrier function, or its ability to retain hydration and protect itself from the environment.” Even worse, you might feel extra-exhausted after being in the sun. That’s because the body is sending fluid to your burnt skin’s surface, dehydrating you, which can tire you out, says Marisa Garshick, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Plus, your body is working hard at regulating your core temp, draining your energy even more. And yet, you’re unable to nod off and stay asleep.Luckily, there are things you can do to rest a little easier, even when your skin feels like it’s smouldering. The doctors gave me their best tips in exchange for the promise that I’d reapply my SPF more frequently next time. Take an ibuprofen or paracetamolThese two meds will help with the symptoms of a sunburn, as they reduce swelling and inflammation, says Dr. Lain. He adds that ibuprofen has been shown to increase sun sensitivity, though. So if you’re planning on getting any more sun, you may want to stick with Tylenol so you don’t do more damage. Side note: Although there was a brief point in March when health authorities were warning against taking ibuprofen due to concerns regarding COVID-19, the research did not bear out, Dr. Garshick notes. The World Health Organization agreed in April. Use aloe My instinct was correct! “Aloe vera gel is cooling and helps temporarily with discomfort, as do numbing sprays and gels,” Dr. Lain says. “These may be most appropriate if the sunburn is causing nighttime awakenings. But just be careful to follow manufacturer’s directions on how and when to apply the numbing sprays, since overdoing it may lead to a dangerous absorption.” Moisturise This is an important one, says Dr. Garshick. Not only will it help the skin repair itself, it can help with hydration and overall comfort. She recommends a lighter-weight cream in the first 24 hours after a burn, then something heavier after a few days, when this skin is starting to peel. But she advises against exfoliating to accelerate the peeling, or picking at blisters. Pick the right PJsLight cotton PJs or silks are the best fabrics, since they’ll cause less friction against the skin, Dr. Lain says. “Certainly not wearing pyjamas is also an alternative,” he adds, which brings us to… And the right sheetsIf you’re going to sleep au naturale, go for cotton or silk bedsheets. Bamboo works too. Dr. Garshick recommends avoiding flannel, wool, and most synthetic fabrics, unless they’re moisture-wicking. Only sleep in the buff when the sheets are clean, she adds. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrateRemember when we mentioned burns are dehydrating? Dr. Garshick recommends keeping a glass of water by the bed, and drinking a little more than you usually would before you nod off. It can also help to take a cold shower right before you head to bed to cool down your body, as it can be hard to fall asleep when you’re too warm. When in doubt, go to the doctor If your burn is causing extreme blistering, or is accompanied by symptoms such as severe pain, a high fever, or nausea, it’s worth having a doctor or dermatologist take a look to rule out sun poisoning or heat stroke. “I usually will tell people to have a low threshold for going to the doctor,” Dr. Garshick says. “If you’re in enough pain it’s really noticeable, it’s reasonable to contact a dermatologist. Some people might be taking medicines that are making them more sensitive to the sun, and they might not be aware of it.” If a burn is really severe, your doc might prescribe a short course of steroids, a corticosteroid cream, or a prescription grade moisturizer. Dr. Garshick says she also might give patients a friendly reminder to keep slathering on the sunscreen. “People sometimes think, ‘okay, I’ve done my damage,’ after a burn,” she says. “But when the skin is somewhat injured, it’s more susceptible to further damage.” Lain adds: “Sunburns cause lasting damage to the DNA in the skin cells… This is why sunburns cause so much inflammation and discomfort — it’s the body’s mechanism to persuade you to avoid doing this again!” I certainly found my sleepless night convincing. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?How To Sleep When It's Sweltering OutsideWhen It's Not A Sunburn But A Sun AllergyWill Coconut Oil Really Cure A Sunburn?
- PoliticsRefinery 29 UK
Kamala Harris’ Nomination Is A Historic Moment — So Why Does It Feel So Compromised?
With the Democratic National Convention less than a week away, Joe Biden finally announced that Sen. Kamala Harris will be his running mate. Harris is the choice that many predicted he would make, an accomplished Democrat, and an established household name who polls well with Biden supporters. She brings an impressive legislative record and killer charisma. In her short-lived presidential campaign, she was energetic and showed a penchant for zingers and quick comebacks, and picked up momentum when she challenged Biden during a debate on his busing record with a moving personal anecdote about her own history with segregated schools. Becoming not only the first woman vice president, but also the first Black and the first Asian vice president would undoubtedly be an historic achievement contributing to more equitable political representation. If she and Biden win, Harris will have overcome not only long-held skepticism of women in power but also the white supremacist structure that has shut out candidates like herself from major party positions. That deserves a moment of acknowledgement — even celebration — for Harris, her allies in Congress and on the campaign trail, and many Americans.“Vice President Biden is proud to announce Senator Harris as his running mate and believes she will be a great partner,” according to the campaign. “He knows what is needed to be a successful Vice President, and he picked the right person for the job. From getting to know her through his friendship with his son Beau to seeing her take on Trump on the campaign trail, Joe knows she is the kind of leader he wants by his side. The American people — and women across the country — agree she is the kind of leader our nation needs right now who will fight on their behalf and will be ready on day one.” However, it’s hard for some to celebrate this nomination in a full-throated way. For many people — including many Democrats — Biden’s candidacy is already compromised because of his record on issues like banking and crime and treatment of women. To some, Biden’s offering of what is arguably the second-highest position of power in the country feels like handing out crumbs, and the reasons for that are both straightforward and frustrating.The shadow of the 2016 election and the 2020 primary: Despite being leagues more qualified and capable than her counterpart, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lost the election while also facing a barrage of sexist attacks. The framing surrounding her historic run as the first woman candidate of a major political party was incredibly gendered, from Trump’s “nasty woman” comment, to the horrifying shirts worn at Trump rallies, to the outsized media focus on her perceived physical weaknesses. This VP pick is also haunted by the shameful process of the 2020 Democratic primary, during which voters were constantly told that, amid a slate of competent women candidates, it was Joe Biden who was the only electable pick. This reinforced the idea that women are not viable as presidential candidates, and are best used in supporting roles.The announcement: In March during a Democratic debate, Biden announced that his VP pick would be a woman so his administration will “look like the country.” Rather than the empowering olive branch he likely intended, his announcement was seen by many as a symbolic, but ultimately hollow move.The statements from Biden staff: Throughout the last few weeks of the “Veepstakes,” statements from within Biden’s campaign itself were made to indicate that this woman’s power will come with conditions. For example:– Sen. Chris Dodd, a member of Biden’s VP search committee, reportedly campaigned against Harris, saying “she had no remorse” when she attacked Biden at the debate. – Some of Biden’s advisers reportedly said they don’t want a running mate who is positioned to succeed him, or who would overshadow him. This is strange given that he’d be the oldest serving president in history if elected. Sexism from the media: While right-wing media is known for its sexist coverage, mainstream outlets also often portray women candidates as more emotional, more prone to lying, or as less capable of leadership. Women’s organisations recently wrote a letter to the media detailing advice on how to overcome these biases. Unfortunately, while these efforts are laudable (and a welcome correction to what happened in 2016), they will still be ignored by many. (See: L.A. Times’ cringe-worthy Bachelor headline.) One way in which this has played out is the recent framing of Harris as devious (again, “She had no remorse”) in her questioning of Biden on his busing record, when she was asking a legitimate question — and playing politics, as might be expected of a politician. In contrast, Rep. Karen Bass, who was recently rumoured to be a top VP option, has been framed as a non-threatening “worker bee” who wouldn’t cause trouble for Biden. These characterizations aren’t just untrue, they’re also damaging. Reportedly, the Biden campaign is trying to get ahead of the sexist coverage and “defend” the nominee, but it remains to be seen how this plays out. Additionally, the idea of having to “protect” a woman nominee takes on an unmistakably patriarchal tone.Biden’s baggage on women: Inevitably, Harris will spend significant energy answering for Biden’s record when it comes to women and Black Americans, including his treatment of Anita Hill during the 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas, Tara Reade’s allegations of sexual assault, and his flip-flopping on the Hyde Amendment. As a Black woman, she will also be asked to defend his record of working with segregationists — a point that Harris has brought up against Biden during debates. And as a former prosecutor, she will be pressured to appear focused on “law and order,” which will be complicated given that she’s already garnered criticism for her prosecutorial record from criminal justice advocates, and potentially alienate the left wing of the party. At the same time, Trump will inevitably go after Biden and Harris for being “soft on crime.” It will be uncomfortable, ugly, and ultimately unfair. And, of course, attacks from Trump. Can any woman in the spotlight who opposes him really avoid these? He has already wasted no time calling her “horrible,” “disrespectful,” and “extraordinarily nasty” in relation to her questioning of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his nomination hearings. In some ways, all of this is the perfect encapsulation of what it’s like to be a woman in 2020: Life is a Catch-22 for those who vie for power. If you want it, you’re not supposed to show it. And once you get it, you’ll be attacked for it. Congratulations Kamala, but also we’re so, so sorry.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Joe Biden Picks Kamala Harris To Run As His VPKamala Harris & Meghan McCain Discuss Police PlansKamala Harris Changed The Game For Immigrant Women
EntertainmentRefinery 29 UKCardi B Is Tired Of Being Cancelled
Being a celebrity comes with all kinds of perks and benefits, but life in the limelight is also saddled with the burden of being subject to the ever changing public opinion. No matter how much money and clout you acquire as an A-lister, fame can’t protect you from falling victim to cancel culture — just ask Cardi B.The world was first introduced to Cardi B on the now-defunct app Vine (“A hoe never gets cold!”) but got to know her better on the sixth season of VH1’s Love and Hip Hop, where we watched the aspiring rapper chase her ultimate dream of being a rapper. After years of producing low-key mixtapes that only banged in her local Bronx neighbourhood, Cardi’s viral single “Bodak Yellow” rocketed her into the mainstream. The song was everywhere, and so was she, creating opportunities for the former dancer to become a household name. Cardi continued making music, featuring on notable rap records like “MotorSport” and “No Limit” before dropping her debut studio album. Invasion of Privacy only solidified Cardi’s star power; the record-breaking project went triple platinum and even won a Grammy. Life is good for Cardi, but trolls are determined to take her down a peg or two. It seems like calls for Cardi’s cancelation happen every. People criticised her because of her complicated marriage to Migos rapper Offset and for her beef with Nicki Minaj (even though feuds are a staple of rap culture that men are never called out for). Her very valid political commentary and possible political aspirations were laughed off by people who don’t take her seriously. And don’t even get the masses started on Cardi’s ownership of her sexuality. Cancelled, cancelled, cancelled. Now that she’s been famous for some time, Cardi reveals that cancel culture has been taking a toll on her as of late. She feels that no matter what she does, people will always have something negative to say about her even when she’s taken a step back from her normal shenanigans.“It’s like I have a target on my back, but it’s not because of my music,” the rapper told ELLE in a new interview. “I haven’t done music for eight months, and people still try to attack me.”“I feel like people are attacking me because they want me to feel the pressure of bullying,” Cardi continued. “They want me to give up and say ‘Oh, I quit music’ or ‘I’ll delete my Instagram, delete my Twitter.'”To be fair, not all of the critical commentary about her is unwarranted; Cardi has made some significant missteps, like her use of anti-Asian slurs and her involvement in an alleged planned attack on two strip club employees. However, the rapper has, for the most part, owned her mistakes and learned from them, educating herself so that she can do things the right way. Lucky for Cardi fans, the trolls will never get what they want — she isn’t going anywhere any time soon. If anything, she’s planning on going ten times harder, and that resolve will be evident in her upcoming second album. Tentatively called Tiger Woods, the project will do what she hopes all of the music in her discography does: inspire genuine confidence in women.“My music is always going to make a woman feel like a bad bitch,” Cardi explained to ELLE. “When you make a woman feel like she’s the baddest bitch in the room, to me, that’s female empowerment.”“Ain’t no way that I’m going to quit,” Cardi asserted. “I don’t give a fuck if the whole world picks on me. I don’t give a fuck if people make up lies about me every single day. I want to make it really clear that nobody can ever make me quit.”Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Cardi B Defends Kylie Jenner In "WAP" Music VideoCardi B Gets 3 Piercings In One NightCardi B & Meg Thee Stallion's New Song Is Freaky
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EntertainmentThe GuardianHottest front-room seats: the best theatre and dance to watch online
Hottest front-room seats: the best theatre and dance to watch onlineFrom live-streams of new plays to classics from the archive, here are some of the top shows online now or coming soon
TechnologyRefinery 29 UKTwitter Will Now Let You Choose Who Can Reply To Your Tweets
Only on Twitter can you Tweet about your weekend baking project and spiral into a debate with an unusually aggressive bot. Even its wittiest, most-entertaining users call it a “hell-hole” every once in a while. It’s a give-and-take with Twitter. But it’s so good when it’s just you and your Twitter friends, engaging in discourse and whatnot.Starting today, users will be able to adjust the settings in their Tweets to limit who can reply. This feature has been in testing since late May. New York Times contributor and author of Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay was among those to have an early preview. Gay has been public about the online harassment she is often subjected to as a fat Black woman and tweeted that being able to control her replies made the app a safer space for her. Twitter also teased the upcoming feature around the end of May.> reply if you want to be verified!> > — Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) May 20, 2020With every tweet you share, you will now be able to choose from three reply settings. Letting anyone reply is the default setting, but you can also limit replies to only people you follow. If you want to have a public conversation with no interruptions, you can set it so that only the people mentioned can reply. Twitter, like most major social platforms, is finally dealing with the forces of harassment and disinformation that run rampant online. It has taken serious measures to curb QAnon-related activity, which often involves “swarming” an individual’s replies and harassing them. In its announcement of the new feature, Twitter noted that above all else, the ability to moderate replies made people feel safer on the platform.However, it seems like it’s not a tool you can easily resort to if the goal is to shut down the conversation entirely. People will still be able to like, share, retweet, and retweet with comments.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?How Does Instagram's Reels Compare To TikTok?A24 Shares First Look At Twitter-Inspired "Zola"We Need To Talk About Black Joy On Social Media
PoliticsRefinery 29 UKJoe Biden Picks Kamala Harris To Run As His VP
Allow us to gloat for a minute. Because a couple of weeks ago, we spotted that Politico posted a story reporting Joe Biden had selected Sen. Kamala Harris as his VP pick, and then quickly took it down. Well, the leak was real!Today, less than a week before the Democratic National Convention, Biden has announced his running mate. As an Indian-American and Black American, Harris will be the first Black and the first Asian woman nominated for vice president by a major party. If Biden wins in November, she will become the first woman vice president in U.S. history.“I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked Kamala Harris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” Biden said in a statement. He wrote that back when Harris was Attorney General of California, she worked with his son Beau Biden, who died from brain cancer in 2015, who was then the Attorney General of Delaware. “I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse. I was proud then, and I’m proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign.”While choosing a running mate, Biden met with multiple focus groups and advocacy organisations, strategists, and experts. He reportedly met in person with some of the candidates and virtually with others, due to the pandemic, examining their rapport with him, their likelihood of helping him win, and their governing ability. Many organisations advocating for Black women have lobbied for him to choose a Black woman, considering their central role in the Democratic Party and the important racial justice moment we are living in now.“Today is a spark of hope and a watershed moment for Black women and women of colour,” Aimee Allison, founder of She the People, said in a statement provided to Refinery29. “In the past months, Senator Harris has taken a stand against police brutality in the streets and in the Senate. Her work to understand the struggles of the women of colour leading the movement on the ground is what sets her apart in this critical moment. The data has shown that when women of colour are inspired to get out to vote in higher numbers, Democrats win. This November, we will do it again.”Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Kamala Harris & Meghan McCain Discuss Police PlansKamala Harris Changed The Game For Immigrant WomenPolitical Leaders Demand Justice For Ahmaud Arbery
CelebrityCosmoThe Kissing Booth's Joey King on having to kiss ex-boyfriend Jacob Elordi during filming
Eek, sounds awkward
StyleRefinery 29 UK8 Of The Best New Lightweight Moisturisers To Try This Summer
If the thick, luxurious moisturiser you relied on to keep dry skin at bay in the colder months is suddenly breaking you out or making you look more sweaty than dewy, it's time to switch things up. Whatever your skin type, summer often calls for silky, featherlight textures that quench skin but won't block pores or contribute to excess oiliness. Thanks to brands such as Elemis and Starface, the new season moisturisers do exactly that, and much more. From aloe vera to soothe redness and reduce scarring over time to magnesium and zinc, which prevent shine and clogged skin, each ingredient in this summer's latest launches is tailored to protecting and improving skin in the warmer weather. Of course, if you're venturing outside or working by a window, it pays to invest in a separate sunscreen to shield against UVA and UVB rays, especially as recent studies have concluded that moisturiser which contains a little sunscreen is much less effective than a targeted sunscreen. Ahead, discover eight game-changing new lightweight moisturisers that'll transform your skin this summer.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?My Skincare Routine Costs £30 & My Skin Is GlowingWean Yourself Off Foundation (A Non-Scary Guide)How To Humidity-Proof Your Skincare Routine
LifestyleRefinery 29 UKMoney Diary: A Student & Support Worker In Aberdeen On £10.30/h
Welcome to Money Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking a cross-section of women how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period – and we're tracking every last penny. This week: "I am a 23-year-old university student living in Aberdeen. I’m about to enter my fourth and final year, which I’m both excited and nervous for, especially as the current pandemic has thrown everything out of whack and I have no idea what to expect come September. I was shielding from March until June, however as I don’t receive a student loan over the summer and my family aren’t in a position to help out, I’ve had to make the choice to go back to work. After a lot of job hunting, I have started a brand-new job this week as a support worker. This is a field I’ve never worked in before and I’ve got so much to learn, so I’m feeling quite out of my depth. I feel like I have a good understanding of money: I prioritise saving as much as possible and I have a weekly budget that I try my hardest to stick to." Industry: Health and social care Age: 23 Location: Aberdeen Salary: £10.30 per hour. I also have a student loan (£522pm) and bursary (£181pm) for nine months of the year, however I haven’t received these since May. Paycheque amount: I’m not sure as I’m yet to receive my first paycheque. I am also on a zero hours contract so this will vary month to month. Number of housemates: Two, however they are both away just now visiting their families and aren’t due back until September. Monthly Expenses Housing costs: £800 rent, split equally between me and my flatmates (£267 each). Loan payments: No loan payments (yet). While I do have a credit card, I only use it for day-to-day purchases and pay it off at the end of each month. Utilities: Gas and electricity £58.93 (£19.64 each), Wi-Fi £25 (£8.33 each). Transportation: £5. I am part of a car club so that I can have access to a car as and when I need it. I also have to pay for the time that I have the car, but this is calculated per individual use. Phone bill: £36.79. I’m very proud of this figure as I managed to get the iPhone 11 (my first ever new generation phone) through a mix of student discounts and getting a 'good as new' phone (one that was returned to EE within the 14 day cooling off period). Savings? I have a few different ‘pots’ of savings and I’ve been actively making saving a priority for the last three years. Pot 1: £1,541. This is travel savings, I’m planning on visiting Australia when I finish uni so I have been adding around £300 each month for the last year, however when COVID hit I ate through my emergency fund and have been living out of this pot since May. I’m hoping to be able to replenish and add to it over the next few months. Pot 2: £1,936. My mum died when I was 15 and left some money for my dad, my siblings and me, this is part of the amount she left me which I keep in a stocks and shares ISA. I have been meaning to add to it but I haven’t quite gotten around to it yet. Pot 3: £4,806. This is some more of the money my mum left for me, it’s in a Lifetime ISA so that I can save for a house. I’m aiming to buy within the next five years and my plan for this financial year was to establish a monthly sum to transfer, however COVID has delayed my plans. Pot 4: £2,599. There’s around £1,000 of the money my mum left me in here plus bits and pieces I’ve added over the last three years. I don’t really know what this pot is for, it’s in a crappy ISA and not really doing anything. I’m considering moving it into my Lifetime ISA but after how financially rocky this year has been it feels like a nice safety blanket to have easy access to if needed. I also have £2 in a tattoo pot and £2.29 in a Christmas presents pot, both of which I raided before dipping into my ISAs to tide me through lockdown. Other: £4.99 Apple Music, £3.99 Amazon Prime, £6.99 Office 365 (I get this free from uni but I have to pay extra for all the cloud storage I use), £5.99 Disney+. I also pay annual subscriptions to Headspace £50, LifeCycle £9.49 and SleepCycle £24.99, which are all paid in January. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Money Diary: 22-Year-Old On 26k, Flying To JerseyMoney Diary: A Communications Assistant In GlasgowMoney Diary: A Cam Girl Living In Kent On 38k
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LifestyleCosmoAirbnb reveals the most popular hidden seaside destinations in the UK
We need to swim in the sea, sharpish
HealthNetDoctorWhat it’s like to be a critical care nurse working on the front lines of COVID-19
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