OK, now I have all the good advice from you guys about being careful in the sun....on my new med.
A long time ago(a couple years) I had heard that after a certain spf#, you are wasting your money. I don%26#39;t remember what that # was right now.
I don%26#39;t think I have ever purchased or used a sunscreen with a higher # than 30-35.
Does anyone know if those high numbered spf%26#39;s like 40, 50, 60, really have that much protection?
I really don%26#39;t want to reurn from my vacation looking like a ghost. My I don%26#39;t want to be stupid either. Might be a dumb question, but will I still be able to achieve a tan with all of the high spf #%26#39;s that I will need to use??
Let's talk about sunscreen.....spin-off from ';new med'; post.
Interesting info on wikipedia. Including the connection between malignant melanona and sunscreen use in Australia (who have a very high incidence of skin cancers.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen
If I remember correctly, the higher SPF%26#39;s only give you about a 4% better protection than the lower SPF%26#39;s.
Buy the umbrella, use it and watch out for the sun%26#39;s rays reflecting off of the water.
Let's talk about sunscreen.....spin-off from ';new med'; post.
Pattie--at my age (47), the days of getting tan, tan, tan when we go to Hawaii are over. I just don%26#39;t want any new wrinkles, and I think a woman my age who%26#39;s overly tan is just plain unattractive. I start off with Bullfrog Gel 35, applied frequently, with a highter SPF on my face. I always wear a visor or hat to protect the face, and try not to get much sun at all there (I apply bronzer on my face and neck when we go out in the evening to make things look more even). I keep the 35 SPF going strong on the rest of my body for the first few days, and often wear a shirt or rash guard for further protection. I then might switch to a little lower SPF on my body gradually, but am still very careful not to allow burning of any kind. I get a slow, light tan this way, and always return home looking healthy and vacationed, yet not overly tan.
I agree with Lexi, go high then if you must slowly lower the number but at no time spend any length of time out without protection. Face it Pattie we both probably look like a ghost at the moment since the sun has not exactly been blessing us with it%26#39;s presence, not that you get a tan in Michigan in the winter anyway. Best to return home with a light tan than burnt to a crisp.
I would use a high strength sunscreen, at least 45 SPF (but realize that 45 is not 50% stronger than 30). The biggest key is to reapply often (every 1/2 hour), not just because it rubs or washes off, but also because especially the UVA protection loses its effectiveness with exposure to sunlight. Yes, I know that doesn%26#39;t make sense, but unless you use a true block such as Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide the sun chemically changes the sunscreen so it no longer protects.
I care most that it stays on in the water since I am an avid snorkeler, that it does not run in my eyes when I am sweting like a pig on a hike, that it does not make me break out in zits, and that it is at least SPF30. Coppertone SPF 50 floats my boat. And I STILL got a tan, due to the increased sun sensitivity from medications. And only a little bit of bumpy rash on my knees in the 2 weeks.
You might want to check out Solumbra clothing. It%26#39;s very lightweight and ventilated for active sports. They also have water/surf shirts. I snorkel all day and don%26#39;t have to worry about having to reapply sunscreen to my arms %26amp; back. Their regular shirts are VERY light material, much cooler than a normal cotton shirt. It%26#39;s a bit pricey, but lasts a long time and really holds up to years of washings.
www.solumbra.com
Thanks everyone for all of the info. I think I will be considering the 50 spf for my face(which always seems to get red first), and possibly the Bull Frog 30 for the rest of me. Glad to know about the re-apply factor. I will alos be looking for that hat! (Not straw or a small visor type).
Wear at least 30 spf (higher provides slightly higher protection) and reapply as mentioned (at least every 2 hours). You will still tan wearing sunscreen somewhat, depending on how long you are in the sun and if you are not reapplying. But, if you chose sunblock (with zinc), you will have the best sun protection and will most likely not tan.
Solumbra was the name of the place I was trying to recall!
SPF# are deceptive - which is why I go with SunBlock - and the Sport types don%26#39;t wear off as quickly. The ones for children faces are not nearly as likely to run into your eyes either - for that I use Coppertone Oil Free for faces, but Banana Boat is good and so is Bullfrog
If you don%26#39;t like the hats you find on line, check your local gardening centers - they usually have plenty and it was easier than I thought to find one with SPF incorporated into it as well as a good look and a chin strap (those tradewinds will remove a hat quickly)
Also I try to not think about the pale skin - but decided to try lotions with some %26#39;enhancers%26#39; in them - the L%26#39;Oreal one is very nice and doesn%26#39;t stink (in fact it smells a bit like tea even though there is no tea in it) I did a test patch and had no issue - I have extremely sensitive skin - so next day did both legs and the results are subtle and yet I can tell that over a few days it will acquire nice shade of maybe not tan, but not a whiter shade of pale!
I%26#39;d rather be pale than brown and wrinkly or even worse get sun poisoning - yeah I had that happen once and it was horrible. Skin cancer is definitely a concern! Prefer paler soft skin to brown alligator.
My body does not tolerate UV - even flourescent lights give ma a rash - so I use mineral foundation that has sunscreen built in and it makes a big difference.
LesRose--that is exactly why I don%26#39;t use self-tanners--the small really bothers me. I will try the L%26#39;Oreal one you suggested for a little color before we go next month. I don%26#39;t want to scare anybody with my white legs!
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