Sun protection

SandC

Well personally I go by using what you won't burn with. Isn't that what factors originally meant? If you usually burn in 10 mins then a factor 2 will allow you to be okay for 20 mins, a factor 4 for 40 mins etc.

Someone told me that 'they' (I don't know who gives the official advice on these things) changed their tack because people are just so bad at applying the stuff that the factors weren't working. It's true to say that I see loads of people using high factors but making a bottle last a week!

I use highest 15 but I do have a small 20 which I got for my hol in Thailand as I just wasn't sure about sun intensity. Personally I find it more intense in places like Greece and Turkey than further afield.

I don't agree that you tan regardless. If I was to wear factor 30 my colour wouldnt change. As it is, when I go down from 15 after one week to a 12 or 10 my colour comes out really quickly.

My personal stance is that as long as you don't burn you should be okay. Most incidences of skin cancer are found in an area of skin which was burnt up to 20 years previously. Plus we do need sunlight to penetrate our skin. We need the vitamin D.

Gloomendoom

chatbug wrote: »

I also have a dark complexion and would not use anything less than SPF40. This year went for a for a SPF 50 and still got a great tan and only went for one week.

That is probably because your dark skin builds up its natural sun protection (tan) easily even with low levels of UV. I'd be very surprised if a fair skinned person even got the faintest hint of a tan wearing SPF 50.

I'm quite fair skinned and normally wear 15 all the time but then I rarely spend any length of time basking in the sun.

My sister would wear spf 5000 if she could get it but has to make do with 50. She remains a pallid white colour all the time. Even after three weeks in Africa her skin remained a semi transparent pale blue.

Strapped

I'm another one who uses at least Factor 30, and Factor highest-I-can-get for the kids as we are all very fair skinned and don't tan. I use factor 15 on my face every day, even in winter!

CupOfChai

maman wrote: »

Don't forget it's not only the factor but applying regularly and thoroughly too.

Indeed. Most British people don't use enough. Basically, follow the directions, but slather it on and for most regular sun creams you're meant to reapply every 2 hours or something like that.

You only need to expose a small area of skin for half an hour each day to get sufficient sunlight for Vitamin D production. The latest advice is to apply your sunscreen just before you go out into the sun, then you get the necessary amount of sun in the time it takes before the cream starts working.

Since when is an 8 year old supposed to be "getting a tan"?!!

Gloomendoom

Strapped wrote: »

I'm another one who uses at least Factor 30, and Factor highest-I-can-get for the kids as we are all very fair skinned and don't tan. I use factor 15 on my face every day, even in winter!

Sun exposure does have its benefits, it isn't all bad. My sister-in-law is a paediatric nurse in Oz and they are now recommending that children get a reasonable of amount sunlight every day. I'm not sure what reasonable is though.

Although rare, rickets is on the increase among Australian children. Overuse of sun protection, due to increased concerns about skin cancer risks, is thought to be one reason for the increase.

Source

zippychick

Some very good points. I am now confused as to factor over frequency!

CupOfChai

Both! High factor (well, at least SPF15), and reapply often as it says on the bottle.

It's partially that it rubs off and you sweat it off and things like that, but also interestingly enough the chemical that provides the sun protection is itself broken down and destroyed by sun exposure, so you have to keep replenishing it. Also why you shouldn't leave the bottle lying around out in the sun for ages, or the lotion will degrade and not give the same protection.

ERICS_MUM

Any tan is skin damage. I'm really evangelical about this subject.

A work mate died a very nasty death with skin cancer and I now always wear spf 30 at home (spf 15 in winter on my face) and spf50 when in warmer climes.

Personally I find the dark or medium tone tan a bit old-fashioned now. All that peeling skin - yuck !

I use one of those moisturisers that add a gentle hint of gold to the skin to just soften the stark white that is my natural skin colour ! Anyone with thin/thinning hair - wear a hat.

PS good sunglasses are a must too - eyes are susceptible to cancer triggered by the sun. Forget the high-fashion designer label specs and go for a high factor polarising lens. (this sounds weird but I get mine from an australian skin cancer charity).


Your skin is your body's largest organ and it should be looked after as you would your heart, kidneys etc.


Linda xx

P.S. sermon over !

Strapped

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Sun exposure does have its benefits, it isn't all bad. My sister-in-law is a paediatric nurse in Oz and they are now recommending that children get a reasonable of amount sunlight every day. I'm not sure what reasonable is though.

I apply it in the morning (moisturiser with SPF15) so I'm sure that I get enough sunlight by the end of the day.

nappentass

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

PS good sunglasses are a must too - eyes are susceptible to cancer triggered by the sun. Forget the high-fashion designer label specs and go for a high factor polarising lens. (this sounds weird but I get mine from an australian skin cancer charity).

Q - what if your eyes are your blood's UV filters to help clean your blood?
since I heard this I've used them less trying to find a balance of letting the body do what it evolved to do and protecting it from damage

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Your skin is your body's largest organ and it should be looked after as you would your heart, kidneys etc.

I agree so I try not to coat my skin in nasties that may do more damage in the long run - http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/

all food for thought!