Tip of the day, Sunscreen

[cindyo]

too funny. ...I tell my kids they are sitting on the equator, so lather up girls...

[jackson]

Do any of you go to the tanning salon to establish a base tan before you go? I'm from New England & usually travel Feb/Mar. I've had a lot of success with "pre-tanning" and using SPF 8 lotions.

[arubamark]

Originally Posted by jackson

Do any of you go to the tanning salon to establish a base tan before you go? I'm from New England & usually travel Feb/Mar. I've had a lot of success with "pre-tanning" and using SPF 8 lotions.

Absolutely! My wife and myself will go tanning a few times before we go to establish a nice base tan. When we are there we use a 30, it works out perfectly. The tan lasts for a while when we get back.

[AhhAruba]

Last year I took several cans of aerosol sunscreen in an SPF higher than I would normally wear. I thought I was pretty liberal with it and found I got burned worse than normal. I wondered if it was the wind blowing the spray and not getting enough applied or if it is really not very good for sunscreen.

What kind of sunscreen works best for you in Aruba?

[Andrea J.]

the wind could have been a factor and not enough got applied.

start out the day by spraying yourself before you put on your bathingsuit.

if you look at the first ingredient of the spray aerosols it is ALCOHOL, which is very drying and really not good for your skin.

the lotions or creams do provide good coverage.

we start out by a spray down and then adding an spf lotion during the day.

Originally Posted by AhhAruba

Last year I took several cans of aerosol sunscreen in an SPF higher than I would normally wear. I thought I was pretty liberal with it and found I got burned worse than normal. I wondered if it was the wind blowing the spray and not getting enough applied or if it is really not very good for sunscreen.

What kind of sunscreen works best for you in Aruba?

[qlaval]

Applying Sunscreen Properly
Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas that it forms a film when initially applied. It takes 20-30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed by the skin, so it should be applied at least a half an hour before going out in the sun. Sunscreen should also be the last product applied especially on the face since some sunscreens can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturizers.

Reapplying Sunscreen
Most instructions on sunscreen labels recommend reapplying sunscreen "frequently", but the definition of "frequently" is vague. A common instruction is to reapply sunscreen after 2-4 hours in the sun. However, one study has shown that reapplying sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes after being in the sun is more effective than waiting 2 hours. It is possible that this time period is more effective because most people do not apply enough sunscreen initially, and this second application approximates the actual amount needed. Sunscreen should also be reapplied after swimming, excessive sweating, or toweling.

Sunscreen and Insect Repellents
Insect repellents reduce the sunscreen's SPF by up to one-third. When using sunscreen and insect repellent together, a higher SPF should be used and reapplied more often.

[AhhAruba]

Thanks for the tips. I must admit I am usually in a hurry to get to the beach and don't apply sunscreen until I get there. I will try applying after my morning shower so it has time to take affect first.

[Arubalisa]

Stupid question...apply spray on sunscreen, presumably indoors, an hour before going into the sun? Wouldn't it get all over everything?

Logic tells me spraying the stuff outside in Aruba, the spray is going to be "gone with the wind".

[Andrea J.]

i spray myself everyday that i plan to be outdoors in the sun.
paul and i are heading to the pool in ah hour and i just sprayed myself.

i spray myself in the bathrooms and never seem to notice any mess.

it get on ME, nothing else.

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

Stupid question...apply spray on sunscreen, presumably indoors, an hour before going into the sun? Wouldn't it get all over everything?

Logic tells me spraying the stuff outside in Aruba, the spray is going to be "gone with the wind".

[arubaro]

I don't notice a mess with the spray either. I alternate between the spray and a lotion. But the best advice is to apply at least 1/2 hour ahead of time and keep up with it. Sometimes even earlier than 1/2 hour.

About 10 years ago, I started getting these red itchy bumps after being in the sun for a while. If I scratched them, they got worse. I tried everything under the sun (haha) and learned to be very careful. I'm not a fair person, I'm Italian and have darker skin than many. This only happened in Aruba - I'm not sure why. A few years ago, Eucerin came out with an ad that said, "if you were meant to have bumps when you're in the sun, God would have made you a raspberry", lol. It was like they were talking to ME. They said to start using the stuff 2-3 DAYS before you started sitting in the sun to build up the SPF on your skin. So everyday after my shower, I'd apply a light amount especially on my "bump-prone" areas. And it worked like a charm. I was bumpless the entire 3 weeks in Aruba. It was the best stuff ever, Eucerin Daily Defense, SPF 30. Of course, after that year I couldn't find it anymore, anywhere. But I use the same principle of starting to apply it days before our trip, and it seems to work with any sunscreen. Just thought I'd share.