girly question

[fins]

All you sailing ladies out there - I am just about to spend 8 months sailing in the Caribbean and over the Atlantic. Having noticed that the "weathered" look doesn't quite suit ladies as well as blokes does anyone have any tips on skincare to help prevent the battering that sailing in a hot climate is bound to give my skin?

Any advice much appreciated!



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[sailorman]

a balaclava

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[ubuysa]

Just asked my SWMBO and she said "don't ever, under any circumstances, allow the sun to see your face". Period.

Tony C.

<hr width=100% size=1>Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.......

 

[sailorman]

balaclave just the ticket then!.
Im Jealous really, no boating tonight bloody wind

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[giraffehappy]

Lots of slap(facecream) first thing in the morning and last thing at night and wear a Lawrence of Arabia baseball cap with a string that ties under your chin to keep it from blowing off. Oh yes, sunnies help too. Silk scarf or high necked shirt to keep the sun from frying your upper chest. Or just think 'Old, wrinkly and happy!'

<hr width=100% size=1>'just keep buggering on'

 

[roly_voya]

Try E45, available from boots or supermarkets, its laolin in a hydrating formula. Lanolin forms a water barrier and it hydrates dry skin/stops it from dehydrating. I was recomended to try this by an infection control nurse while training as a way of preventing my hands being knarly and callosed from sailing and boatbuilding which dosn't go well with nursing and makes steralising them difficult. It works for me. They also do a version with sunblock so does both jobs

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[Shakey]

Factor 30, hats and T-shirts.

Though let's be honest, you'll end up with a bit of a tan at least.....

<hr width=100% size=1>It could have been worse - it could have been me.

 

[kds]

I know you are going to think this is a joke - but all the sailors I knew in Central Africa used "udder cream". Available wholesale at very low cost in farming suppliers and vetinary stores. Recommended by the local dermatological specialist in Good Old Rhodesia.
Ken

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[davidbains]

Fins, it's not just weathering and the resultant "old prune" look.
Skin cancer years later is a real risk. Wide brimmed hats are much
more effective than baseball hats or the peaks I often use. Straw
"Mexican" hats are cooler, so you may wear them more often even
if they offer less shade. All hats need tying down in any wind.
Large sunglasses with sidescreens protect your eyes from UV and
the cataracts that follow. And since you won't be squinting so much
will delay the crows feet.
T shirts produce burnt necks and collared shirts are better or at least
some sort of kerchief. Remember to cream the front of your neck
to avoid the "rouched" effect (at least that's what I think it's called).
I have to admit this advice is not followed closely by my family, but
they only sail for 3 weeks a year. I have had a lot of sun over over
many years now and was not careful when younger. I am now missing
some skin from the back of my neck.
It can be tedious but you need to get into the habit of applying a good
layer of sunscreen to all exposed surfaces every morning. Don't forget
your ears or the backs of your calves and even the inner sufaces of
your arms. A bimini is almost essential but the sun still reflects in
off the sea.
I think the Aussie motto is "Slap on some screen, Slip on a T shirt, and
under a tree (bimini or sail) from eleven till three"
Your skin will look a lot better twenty years later.



<hr width=100% size=1>Never knowingly overcanvassed!

 

[boatmike]

Its not just a girly question. Blokes get burnt too. It depends largely on skin type. My lady turns lobster colour in 10 minutes. I just go slowly black with white hair and look like a photographic negative! Even I can burn though if I am careless.
Tip 1 Make sure your old man fits a bimini cover to the cockpit that can stay put when sailing and stay in the shade as much as possible.
Tip 2. Wear a big hat (a white one preferably) to cover your face and if possible the back of your neck with a falling drape unless you have long hair (like the foreign legion wear) and high necked tee shirts not open necks. Necks suffer badly.
Tip 3. Regardless of the sun coming directly down on you remember the sea reflects sun so wear high factor sunblock anyway.
Tip 4. You WILL get suntanned. This is natures protection against burning and not a bad thing but do it gradually and dont burn. Red burns=permanently damaged skin.
Tip 5. Don't forget your feet! Bare feet burn quickly.
Tip 6. Drink lots of water and use moisturiser in the evening when the sun goes down. Dehydrated skin ages quickly. Alcohol also dehydrates so take more water with it! Rinse off salt spray with fresh water regularly too.
Tip 7. Enjoy yourself! Even if you get a few wrinkles think of the poor people at home in the rain! What would you rather have, wrinkles or influenza?

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[wishbones]

On the subject of hats, I thoroughly recommend the Tilley hats advertised in many nautical magazines. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear, give good protection from sun (and rain!), and have a comfortable cord to prevent flight in strong winds - all in all an excellent piece of kit.

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[smee]

Tilly hat, Nivea (in a tin - the good thick stuff) moisturiser to prevent the leather look, and Factor 45, and don't forget good sunglasses if you don't want to get macula degeneration later in life!

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