Protecting against sunburn

[tim-from-pa]

Certainly not this way:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-57536368/banana-boat-sunscreen-recalled-over-fire-risk/


I thought it was supposed to prevent burns....:rolling

No thanks. When I want to reduce sun exposure after being in it for awhile, I'll take my straw hat, beach umbrella and a shirt any day.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Supplements sometimes help. I take astaxanthin (4mgs/day) in part because it somehow increases resistance to sunburn and keeps your skin healthy, so I don't need as many skin meds. Saves me a lot of money, really. For maybe $5-$10/month, I can reduce my use of cortisone, lotions, etc., and its a potent antioxidant, so my overall health is (hopefully) better. From what I've read, high doses of more common antioxidants, taken orally, can also be beneficial (C, E, tocotrienols, selenium, zinc, etc.).

I can't believe docs tell us to use sunscreen everyday. I mean, physical sunscreens (I think they use a special kind of zinc these days) is one thing, but that stuff is expen$ive. The chemical stuff, from what I've read, can actually *cause* aging. As heat and light alter the chemical sunscreen molecules, they generate free radicals, which will age the skin. I would think that sort of thing would end up increasing skin cancer risk, which is kinda what sunscreen is supposed to prevent, but...I'm not a doc. Topical Vitamin C can offer a bit of sun protection and, if its stable and the concentration is high enough, prevent+reduce wrinkling and improve some skin conditions.

 

[farouk]

Hot product.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Supplements sometimes help. I take astaxanthin (4mgs/day) in part because it somehow increases resistance to sunburn and keeps your skin healthy, so I don't need as many skin meds. Saves me a lot of money, really. For maybe $5-$10/month, I can reduce my use of cortisone, lotions, etc., and its a potent antioxidant, so my overall health is (hopefully) better. From what I've read, high doses of more common antioxidants, taken orally, can also be beneficial (C, E, tocotrienols, selenium, zinc, etc.).

I can't believe docs tell us to use sunscreen everyday. I mean, physical sunscreens (I think they use a special kind of zinc these days) is one thing, but that stuff is expen$ive. The chemical stuff, from what I've read, can actually *cause* aging. As heat and light alter the chemical sunscreen molecules, they generate free radicals, which will age the skin. I would think that sort of thing would end up increasing skin cancer risk, which is kinda what sunscreen is supposed to prevent, but...I'm not a doc. Topical Vitamin C can offer a bit of sun protection and, if its stable and the concentration is high enough, prevent+reduce wrinkling and improve some skin conditions.

The thing they don't tell you is the body makes its own "sunblock" of sorts and that's probably the reason why the supplements you listed can help. The body needs nourishment and resources to manufacture something.

But they have the same avoidance philosophy with germs and colds in the winter --- they don't tell you how to strengthen the immune system. Instead they go obsessive-compulsive with the hand-washing (i.e. avoidance of germs). But the truth is the body needs to be exposed to (not avoid) various things to fortify it.

 

[farouk]

Maybe...maybe if ppl always wore Victorian-style swimsuits that covered torso and limbs, then sunburn would be less of a problem...

(But that solution would never, never do, would it? )

Blessings.

 

[Hammer]

This is a trucker, after many years of driving, the face to the open window is very sun damaged. The other picture needs no comment. Get a few minutes of sun every day, but, people, don't lay in the sun.

 

[farouk]

This is a trucker, after many years of driving, the face to the open window is very sun damaged. The other picture needs no comment. Get a few minutes of sun every day, but, people, don't lay in the sun.

First picture: well, the truck, and before it, the horse and cart, have been around for a long, long, time. So this kind of facial exposure is sort of inevitable, to some extent, I guess.

Second picture: the bikini has been around for 60 or more years, and its design has become customarily more stringy. In theory (as suggested in my previous post) if ppl wore Victorian-style swimsuits, then sun exposure would be far less of an issue. But frankly I think that the sense of comfort and freedom that the bikini seems to offer many women — whatever the real issues of sun exposure may be — is such that it's firmly here to stay, and thus scenes of the grandmother in the picture are going to be commonplace.

(Two cents'.)

 

[farouk]

The thing they don't tell you is the body makes its own "sunblock" of sorts and that's probably the reason why the supplements you listed can help. The body needs nourishment and resources to manufacture something.

But they have the same avoidance philosophy with germs and colds in the winter --- they don't tell you how to strengthen the immune system. Instead they go obsessive-compulsive with the hand-washing (i.e. avoidance of germs). But the truth is the body needs to be exposed to (not avoid) various things to fortify it.

I guess any marketing ploy can use excessive-compulsive talk, really.

 

[tim-from-pa]

@Hammer:

Nobody is suggesting to lay in the sun unprotected for hours and hours and look like that. This is the opposite extreme.

Which begs the question, why do those who advocate no sun (Dermatologists and other special interest groups) compare the likes of what I am saying to unlimited sunlight exposure? Always taking what I am saying and convoluting it mean the opposite extreme. I don't know of anyone who looks like those pictures, and those people that are "warned of the dangers of the sun" look nothing like those pictures --- indeed, many are fair-skinned women lacking in vitamin D who are warned and shown that kind of stuff. I can see showing them those statistically very rare cases if they started looking like that, but this is not what is happening. Very normal-looking people are warned instead.

But the truth is, we don't need sunblock. And actually I agree with Farouk on the Victorian style suits. This is a form of natural cover-up where sunblock would not be needed, yet some partial, healthy exposure would be present.

As for me, I usually work an hour or so (including lawn mowing) in the sun without a shirt and uncovered arms and legs during the summer. That's how I get my exposure. I only tan a little so I know I am not getting overboard on the UVA which is more predominant (UVB makes the vitamin D).

 

[Knotical]

Just coat yourself in butter. It will prevent you from getting burnt, and make everyone hungry within smelling distance.

 

[farouk]

@Hammer:

Nobody is suggesting to lay in the sun unprotected for hours and hours and look like that. This is the opposite extreme.

Which begs the question, why do those who advocate no sun (Dermatologists and other special interest groups) compare the likes of what I am saying to unlimited sunlight exposure? Always taking what I am saying and convoluting it mean the opposite extreme. I don't know of anyone who looks like those pictures, and those people that are "warned of the dangers of the sun" look nothing like those pictures --- indeed, many are fair-skinned women lacking in vitamin D who are warned and shown that kind of stuff. I can see showing them those statistically very rare cases if they started looking like that, but this is not what is happening. Very normal-looking people are warned instead.

But the truth is, we don't need sunblock. And actually I agree with Farouk on the Victorian style suits. This is a form of natural cover-up where sunblock would not be needed, yet some partial, healthy exposure would be present.

As for me, I usually work an hour or so (including lawn mowing) in the sun without a shirt and uncovered arms and legs during the summer. That's how I get my exposure. I only tan a little so I know I am not getting overboard on the UVA which is more predominant (UVB makes the vitamin D).

Tim-from-Pa:

I kind fo gave that example from a pure hypothetical perspective.

Chances of today's women going for it, are pretty near NIL, really; either the bikini or less expansive one pieces have become so deeply established as the custom, that I didn't really intend it as a serious option; purely a theoretical thing, really.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Tim-from-Pa:

I kind fo gave that example from a pure hypothetical perspective.

Chances of today's women going for it, are pretty near NIL, really; either the bikini or less expansive one pieces have become so deeply established as the custom, that I didn't really intend it as a serious option; purely a theoretical thing, really.

Oh shucks! And I liked the Victorian era! :rolling

 

[Blev]

Of course this is a serious topic for you, Tim, since you are always out in the hot sunshine by your sundial :shades

 

[Nick]

Tim, I have no pigment in my skin, so no natural protection against the sun. I use sunscreen a lot. Whenever I don't I get burned. I have never experiemced a tan.

1 of 2 Australians will develop skin cancer.

 

[farouk]

Tim, I have no pigment in my skin, so no natural protection against the sun. I use sunscreen a lot. Whenever I don't I get burned. I have never experiemced a tan.

1 of 2 Australians will develop skin cancer.

...and yet the style of swimsuit popular at Bondi Beach seems unaccountably minimal...

 

[farouk]

Of course this is a serious topic for you, Tim, since you are always out in the hot sunshine by your sundial :shades

I didn't realize Pennsylvania was as sunny as this...

(Whenever I've been there it was raining (or so it seemed...)

 

[tim-from-pa]

I didn't realize Pennsylvania was as sunny as this...

(Whenever I've been there it was raining (or so it seemed...)

You're so right. So I guess I can't really overdo it, and trying to sell sunblock to me is like trying to sell refrigerators to the Eskimos! Seriously, even summer sun is definitely NOT and everyday thing.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Tim, I have no pigment in my skin, so no natural protection against the sun. I use sunscreen a lot. Whenever I don't I get burned. I have never experiemced a tan.

1 of 2 Australians will develop skin cancer.

Yes, Nick I remember you telling that to me at one time, so my comments are not directed at you due to this condition. Likewise, I advocate eating almonds as they are very healthy, but obviously not to people allergic to them!

The issue of sun exposure, however, is directed at everyone and I definitely think the warnings are overdone. But again, if you have a skin condition that can't take sun, you are excused from taking any of my comments to heart. I understand that.

 

[loopy]

i am a sun bunny. i like palm trees and tropical weather. i use suncream sparingly. i do have a prescription for sunburn, too. 1 cup white vinegar in a warm bath for 15 minutes. pulls out the pain and keeps you from peeling....

 

[farouk]

i am a sun bunny. i like palm trees and tropical weather. i use suncream sparingly. i do have a prescription for sunburn, too. 1 cup white vinegar in a warm bath for 15 minutes. pulls out the pain and keeps you from peeling....

Hi there, loopy, depends a lot where ppl are of course, but up here in Canada we have now got several months of winter to look forward to and any hint of sun that actually warms may need a trip to Key West, Vegas or wherever at this time of the year; for whole chunks of the year up here it's not bikini weather at all; our pool cover is firmly closed these days. Blessings.