Sun protection

[jayne]

I'm assuming that we get through our fair share of sun protection. I was just wondering what people's preference or opinions are about the different lotions, creams, screens and oils available?

Are there particular types you look for or ones you particularly avoid? Are there any which offer significant advantages over any others?

[Guest]

For us, the best protection against sun burn is to start exposing our skin to the sun early in the season, in small doses and without sun block. This prevents sun burn as a rule, or significantly minimizes it. If we are going to outside where shade is unavailable, we go with anything greater that SPF 15, no particular brand, but we use lotions Instead of oils.

From our perspective, the market is full of expensive products with false promises so we stay away from high cost advertisements. Instead, we use a high quality skin lotion with aloe 1-2 times daily in addition to sunscreen.

[atalanta]

I agree with Nudkin. Get exposure early and late in the season without protection. During the summer I tend to take the sun in regular but fairly short doses. If I am out at a beach for an extended period I will use a lotion, probably SPF 30. Never oil. I will totally avoid high-priced brands in very small containers, in favour of generic lotions from a relatively reliable outlet and in large sizes.

[Kouak]

Don't worry about the very high SPF suntan lotions/oils. Going from 50 to 100 SPF offers very little additional protection. Unless you have a medical issue and need the additional protection, experts suggest 35 to 50. Another thing to worry about. The lotion loses its potency over time. After a year or two, it is far less effective than advertised. Oh, and finally, invite me to go out with you so I can apply it carefully to your back. It's the least I could do!

[Eldernude]

I've had a few bits frozen off and some pre cancerous stuff cut off. My choice is a lotion of SPF 50 to 70 and a hat now that most of my hair is gone.

[usuallylurk]

Don't worry about the very high SPF suntan lotions/oils. Going from 50 to 100 SPF offers very little additional protection. Unless you have a medical issue and need the additional protection, experts suggest 35 to 50. Another thing to worry about. The lotion loses its potency over time. After a year or two, it is far less effective than advertised. Oh, and finally, invite me to go out with you so I can apply it carefully to your back. It's the least I could do!

What I put in bold - that is good to know. Didn't know that. BTW I use spray, 30 SPF - just, I'm careful to apply it away from others - lest they get sprayed!

Thanks for the offer to apply it to my back - but - I use spray, no problem there.

[Naturist Mark]

15 minutes a day of unfiltered sunshine is good for you. So choose an SPF factor that will match that over the period you are likely to be in the sun. SPF30 - if reapplied properly - means seven and a half hours is equal to an unfiltered 15 minutes of direct sunshine - unless you are a full ginger you'll never really need more than SPF30. I'm reasonably fair skinned - I tan very slowly and not very dark, but unlike my redheaded relatives I do actually tan. I have found that SPF16 will prevent burning even when I'm out sailing all day long, and if I'm only out for a few hours SPF8 will do.

I usually buy the store brand waterproof spray. I also make sure I buy a product that blocks both UVA and UVB. I like to go with the lowest value possible that prevents burning (for me) since I don't want to completely shut down vitamin D production or all tanning. But It is getting harder and harder to find anything less than SPF30 anymore.

Now there are a lot of stories about sunscreen not being good for you, and not being effective in preventing skin cancer decades down the line. Most scare stories cite studies that show that skin cancers in Australia increased in direct correlation to increased used of sunblocks. I can't say one way or the other if those concerns are credible - but I do know that sunscreens can prevent burns, so if you are going to be out in the sun anyway, preventing burns seems like a good idea.

[Simon1967]

I always use P20 first thing of a morning on holidays so I have some base protection but I apply and reapply other lotion over the day if in and out of water a lot I'll usually apply an oily type of protection just to help skin from drying out.