Sunscreen

[JimNortonFan]

Some of the active ingredients in sunscreen absorb the UV energy by making hydroxyl radical, a carcinogen. Hats, long sleeves, balaclavas, kaffiyehs, wetsuit liners at the beach are better.

Yeah, we all want to show off our muscles.

How muscular can you be on chemo? This stuff is no joke.

 

[tiggaling]

Very excellent natural sunscreen.

http://www.sunumbra.com

 

[Quintus Curtius]

I feel like I learned something about this subject last month. My entire life, I never had any problems with sun and have an olive-colored complexion. But recently I spent way too much unprotected time in the sun in Brazil and the skin on my forehead began to show some spots of pigmentation discoloration. My own fault. So, I was not too happy about this and went to see a dermatologist about it about 3 weeks ago and she really educated me. It counts as a "specialist" for health insurance purposes, so you got to spring $50 for the copay (United Healthcare).
To clear up the pigmentation discoloration, she prescribed something called Tri-Luma Cream. It's a bleaching agent composed of fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone, and tretinoin. Got to apply it every night for a month or so. Since this type of problem is not considered a "medical" problem, it's not covered by health insurance. And the little tube of cream costs $120. Damn.
Regarding sunscreens, she said there are two categories: chemical sunscreens, and mineral ones. The mineral ones have either zinc or titanium oxide as the important components. They work as "reflective" agents: they reflect the suns rays. The chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the suns rays (not reflecting them) and channeling them off as heat.
I was told that both chemical and mineral sunscreens are equally effective, and it's just a matter of preference which ones you want to use.
I prefer the chemical ones, since the ones with zinc or titanium oxide leave a white-looking patina on my skin.
From what I was told, as long as the SPF levels are 35 or higher, you are good to go. In the summer, level 50 would be better, and in the winter you can go down to 35 if needed.
So, from what I understand, it doesn't really matter which brand you use, as long as the SPF levels are appropriate. Some have fragrance, some don't.
Anyway, I have to go back to dermatologist in a couple weeks...this Tri-Luma cream seems to be working on getting the pigmentation problem under control, but we'll see.
What I learned from all this is how important skin care is. I never spent any time or attention to the sun's affect on my skin my entire life, and out of nowhere this problem developed. So, learn from my mistakes. Use sunscreen ALL THE TIME. It will keep you looking young and prevent any problems.

 

[Screwston]

I used Neutrogena for sensitive skin, for my face and it didn't cause a breakout.

Seconded, I really like Neutrogena, expensive but I have yet to find something better. On a budget use Neutrogena for your face and a cheaper brand for everywhere else.

Is the sensitive kind better on the skin than the regular Neutrogena sunscreen?

 

[Sailor]

I have yet to find a decent sunscreen in Brasil,it is no joke when i say i do better buying those in Paraguay

 

[Basil Ransom]

Go for No-Ad SPF 45, Consumer Reports' pick. Not greasy either. And cheap.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/25/news/la-heb-sunscreen-consumer-reports-20110525
http://www.walmart.com/ip/NO-AD-SPF-45-Sunscreen-Lotion-16-fl-oz/12548310

 

[freewheeler]

I've read some anecdotes from people in the 'paleosphere' who mention that after going paleo and eating much more saturated fat and what not, they tend to not burn and have an increased tolerance to sun exposure. Might be something to look into.

As for sunscreen, I've never really used it but I'd take a look at some of the mineral based ones that act as physical barriers rather than the alternative chemical goop. But from what I remember, both types have their own drawbacks.

Here are some interesting links that I've since come across:

http://drmikehart.tumblr.com/post/51023794354/is-your-sunscreen-causing-cancer

http://christhekiwi.com/ditch-the-sunscreen-the-kiwi-guide-to-intelligent-sun-exposure/

 

[Basil Ransom]

I've read some anecdotes from people in the 'paleosphere' who mention that after going paleo and eating much more saturated fat and what not, they tend to not burn and have an increased tolerance to sun exposure. Might be something to look into.

Color me skeptical. If you're a typical white in the US, you have far less melanin than the native Americans who adapted to the level of sun exposure here. There were no Swedish paleface cavemen living in the Congo in Paleolithic times.

 

[JayJuanGee]

I've read some anecdotes from people in the 'paleosphere' who mention that after going paleo and eating much more saturated fat and what not, they tend to not burn and have an increased tolerance to sun exposure. Might be something to look into.

Color me skeptical. If you're a typical white in the US, you have far less melanin than the native Americans who adapted to the level of sun exposure here. There were no Swedish paleface cavemen living in the Congo in Paleolithic times.

I do not want to get into any argument, here; however, it seems that fear of the sun has certainly been over-played by mainstream media, medicine, insurance companies, food industry and sunscreen manufacturers, and Freewheeler makes a good point about going natural to the extent feasible.

An additional good link for Freewheeler's point would be the one below.

http://everydaypaleo.com/natural-sun-protection-from-the-inside-out/

@basilransom - I think that we probably could agree that people in northern regions of the globe are lighter-skinned than people from the mid-latitudes, and that seems to mean that lighter-skinned people do not need to be in the sun as long in order to get the benefits from the sun (maybe an hour is sufficient). Oh yeah, I am kind of assuming that the science supports that there are benefits in getting into the sun several hours a week, and sometimes, mainstream media and some sources do not concede that there are benefits in being in the sun for several hours a week, if possible, and I am not clear about where you come out on this benefits question?

Certainly, your point about lighter-skinned people needing to take additional precautions from the sun may be warranted, especially when dealing with long-term sun exposure - like several hours a day (though I fear some of that may be over-hype by drug companies et al); however, I would not rely upon what chemical and lotion marketers are telling me to put that stuff on my body.

IMHO - I think diet and other paleo suggestions, as described in the above linked materials (and referred to in Freewheeler's links), would be much more useful than putting very much credibility into what the lotion manufacturers are telling us to be afraid of...

Certainly, people need to come to their own conclusion and comfort about these kinds of things concerning what they want to believe and what sources upon which they find to be more credible than not... and we all only have so many hours in a day to conduct our own research.


By the way, here is another good link (that is linked to in the above link) that describes some ingredients for making your own more natural sunscreen.

http://wellnessmama.com/2558/natural-homemade-sunscreen-recipe/

 

[JayJuanGee]

OP, here, so far, did not specify for how long on a daily basis, he expects to be in the sun, and at what point he begins to burn, and whether he believes burning to be an important issue in determining when to apply sunscreen. In going back and rereading OP's initial post, my current assessment of what OP says (according to what was written in the first posting) seems to be that he was suggesting that it is good to wear sunscreen at all times, as a prevention, which seems to be a different presumption from me and possibly some other members... though certainly, several people may believe the same thing, which is not a real problem (b/c to each his own).

B/c it seems that some of the different opinions on this thread have to do with the question of at what point does a person believe sun exposure is bad, and at what point should one begin to wear sunscreen. One of the assumptions here may be whether OP believes any exposure to be bad, or only that exposure that causes burning to be bad. Currently, I am beginning to think that it would be helpful to know the answers to those questions b/c the preventative treatment approach would be different depending upon these kinds of considerations... .and maybe even we could just agree to disagree if some of the base presumptions are different.

My presumption is that the sun is good, unless it burns you too much, iike the guy in the earlier picture.


As a fair-skinned caucasion, I personally do not use any sunscreen, unless I am going to be in the sun for more than a few hours in a day - though some people may begin to burn at about an hour. I probably would begin to burn after about 2-3 hours depending on the intensity of the sun. Accordingly, even though I may be out in the sun quite a bit on various days, my sun exposure time usually does not add up to more than a few hours in a day.. and usually at most one hour, when I go for a walk or jog. Accordingly, I do not frequently use sunscreen or lotion, and so far, I have never made my own homemade sunscreen, as is described in the earlier link. However, in about the last couple years, I have been increasingly attempting to follow more and more of a low carb paleo diet, yet I was doing that more for overall health rather than in consideration of its sun burn protection.

 

[Screwston]

I tried a Neutrogena and broke out. i have sensitive skin that has to be washed and looked after like a baby. Basils choice looks good but not sure if thats really meqnt for the face. I need something for only face and neck.

 

[Aliblahba]

Try this:

http://www.sephora.com/super-city-b...&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-{adtype}-_-{keyword}

Clinique is good too, plus you can go into Sephora and flirt with girls while looking for it. Use the "It rubs the lotion on the skin" routine.

 

[Screwston]

I think the Neutrogena i got was to strong for my face. i just bought a spf 30 that is for clear face - break out free. Giving Neutrogena one more try.

 

[The Reactionary Tree]

I'm going to bump this thread because I was curious about the sunscreens you guys use to protect your faces. Even in winter the sun can burn your face plus the cold is harsh on the skin. So what sunscreen/moisturizer products do you guys use to protect your faces. So far there haven't really been any adequate responses in this thread.

 

[Kieran]

I don't use sunscreen, although I probably should as I'm very pale, but for moisturisers the only two I've found acceptable are a UK perfume free brand called Simple (the light hydrating moisturiser), and a French brand called Cetaphil (daily moisturiser). These are the only two I've tried that don't sting and make my face go red.

I would use sunscreen, but all the ones I've tried are very thick and don't soak in very well. I had a Japanese one when I was in Japan, that I remember was a very high factor in a small bottle that soaked in amazingly, didn't cause any reactions, and was really cheap. Never found anything like it here though. I think it was a women's product, and with them being so into avoiding the sun, they're products are probably way ahead.

 

[Charlemagne In Sweatpants]

I am fair-skinned and started getting skin cancer on my face, neck, and shoulders when I was 26. I'm assuming most of the damage was caused in my early 20's when I worked at a country club and got fried every single morning. I found this ruddy, freckly "tan" impressive, but I think most people looked at me like I was an idiot. I was.

My first basal cell carcinoma formed on my neck. I got it surgically removed via Moh's surgery and have worn some form of sunscreen on my face every single day since. Here is my arsenal...

Daily Face: http://www.cetaphil.com/daily-facial-moisturizer-spf-15

I apply this in the morning, rain or shine, summer or winter. Doesn't matter. This is also great as a daily moisturizer, which you should be using anyway to keep your face from looking like Iggy Pop. It is very light.

Outdoors Face: http://www.coppertone.com/products/speciality/oilfree/facelotion.aspx

If I'm going to be outside 30 min or so, I will apply this to my nose/ears/moh's surgery scars (in addition to the Cetaphil). These are my most susceptible spots. If I am going to be outdoors longer than that (festival or long walk), I will apply this to my entire face and neck. I will reapply every few hours. This stuff goes on light, disappears, and doesn't get into the pores around your nose, which is the worst.

Body: http://www.coppertone.com/products/adults/wetnclear/spray.aspx

I'll apply this to any exposed skin below the neck if I'm planning on being outdoors for more than an hour. You can easily apply it yourself, but you will run through bottles pretty quickly if you're going to the beach (I reapply liberally, especially after I have been swimming). It is not as light as the face-specific stuff, but it gets the job done.

This is a non-sunscreen-related rant, but for any guys that have fair skin and don't live in northern Europe, you should absolutely see a dermatologist every six months to get checked out for skin cancer. Even though I have tried to minimize any further damage, I still get superficial skin cancer spots, despite taking care of my skin for many years. These are easily treated with liquid nitrogen. Don't do what I did and let a small, stubborn pimply spot linger for many months (or shit, years). That's when you'll need Moh's surgery, which is a more risky procedure. All alabaster players should keep their mugs looking as healthy as possible. True - we age better than women, but there's no need to tempt fate.

 

[babelfish669]

A hat, collar, and long sleeves will do a lot for keeping the sun off your skin. Staying in the shade during peak sun hours is a good idea.

 

[Meadowlark]

There was a great tip in another thread for a supplement or food that you can ingest and it provides a little bit of natural protection. I'm looking but haven't found it yet.

 

[aguasin]

More important than the brand is what the sunscreen CONTAINS

Your sunscreen should have one of the following at least:

Zinc oxide
Titanium dioxide
Avobenzone

These block both UVa and UVb rays. SPF refers only to UVb rays while you need protection from both.

As for brands, neutrogena might be best in terms of quality for cost

+1

I don't think Avobenzone is that great, personally.

You should also avoid anything that uses micronised zinc/titanium.
E.g., it doesn't give you a white cast.

It's been proven to actually do more damage to your DNA than it protects against.

Another ingredient, which I always try to find in my sunscreen is

Tinosorb M, or Tinosorb B
chemical name: Bemitrizinol
methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol
Bisoctrizole

It's hard to find sunscreens with them in it, because it hasn't been approved by the FDA, but if you do a google search you will come across a few european brands which include them.

Don't let that scare you though, the reason why the FDA doesn't approve things is the same reason the USA is far behind in all technology (Big money oligarchy.)

 

[Biz]

There was a great tip in another thread for a supplement or food that you can ingest and it provides a little bit of natural protection. I'm looking but haven't found it yet.

Most likely the supplement was Astaxanthin

and foods that have beta-carotene (sweet potato and carrots being the highest containing)