MLD and Sunburn.
As already mentioned earlier, MLD stands for Manual Lymphatic Drainage and is a great technique to treat sunburn.
Indeed MLD is a technique that works with a gentle touch and has a multitude of benefits, including the healing from sunburn.
Firstly, we analyse what sunburn is about.
So, a sunburn is the skin’s reaction to too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Here in Australia, the amount of UV radiation is higher than elsewhere in the world.
As per result, in Australia, we have to be extra careful.
If the sunburn reaches the 3rd degree of burn, medical attention is required immediately.
During summer or even winter when we expose our skin to the sun.
You can have a sign of sunburn within minutes from overexposure. The first symptoms are skin redness, burning sensation and pain to the touch.
Long-term sunburn can lead to bad scar or even to skin cancer.
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So, How MLD can help if I get sunburned?
MLD thanks to the light touch, firstly, will avoid the patients being in pain during the touch.
Furthermore, by activating the suction effect of the Lymphatic System, MLD boosts the healing process.
This is possible by removing the liquid from under the sunburned skin area.
The lymphatic system would then, clear up the excess liquid and would allow the skin to get oxygenated once again.
Said so, when treating someone with sunburn, as therapists we always have to look for possible skin infections and other absolute contraindications.
If the skin over the sunburn area is craked and infected, then we will have to wait for the infection to heal.
In addition to this, if the sunburn is as bad as 3rd-degree burn, we may don’t wanna touch the sunburn directly, but applying MLD in a close area can still help the lymphatic system to be activated remotely or on the area affected.
In conclusion, remember always to put sun cream before exposing yourself to sunlight.
Put the cream 30 mins before having a bath.
Either in the sea or swimming pool, in order for the cream not to be absorbed and not be washed away.
Avoid the hottest hours.
Check the UV exposure on the Victoria Government weather website (https://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml).
Stay in the shade and drink plenty of water.
Giovanni La Rocca
Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.