Sunburn and sailing

[Cymrogwyllt]

I learnt the hard way. F30 used on all long paddles after that. Floppy wide brimmed hat as well.

 

[Steve Clayton]

My view is putting all these chemicals on your skin probably doesn't do it much good. So in Britain i avoid sun cream and never been sun burnt but were all different.

If i'm going abroad ill wear it but not slap it on every hour maybe 3 times a day.

Wearing a hat and a sitting in shade between 12-3 is my best opinion.

Talk in this thread re chemicals and carcogenic effects; well not with 100% natural products such as Aloe Vera and Rosehip Oil; we have a product that has reduced the effects of sunburn within hours
http://thealoeverasite.com/anecdotal-evidence-for-aloe-vera-and_Sunburn.php
.

 

[Supine Being]

Talk in this thread re chemicals and carcogenic effects; well not with 100% natural products such as Aloe Vera and Rosehip Oil; we have a product that has reduced the effects of sunburn within hours
http://thealoeverasite.com/anecdotal-evidence-for-aloe-vera-and_Sunburn.php
.

I'm sorry, but that's not only nonsense, but dangerous nonsense. This is no substitute for avoiding getting burnt in the first place, and if you don't know that then you should. This stuff may salve you after you've been burnt, but the damage is already done.

 

[ColdFusion]

I'm sorry, but that's not only nonsense, but dangerous nonsense. This is no substitute for avoiding getting burnt in the first place, and if you don't know that then you should. This stuff may salve you after you've been burnt, but the damage is already done.

A very big +1 to that.

 

[lenseman]

. . . . I have also been told that you get very little to no extra protection over factor 15. I don’t know how true this is.
. . . .

Isn't a higher number even better?

Dr Bataille: 'SPF15 gives you a good level of protection. And actually, the higher numbers can be misleading: once you get above SPF15, the numbers aren't truly representative of how much more powerful they are. In fact, they are only a little more powerful than an SPF15 - which is why, in Australia, products with higher factors are labelled SPF15+, and there's nothing on the market above that. There was a feeling that the consumer would be pressurised into buying the strongest sun screen because of the worries about melanoma, whereas scientifically, there is no evidence that high factors make a difference. And a higher figure just lulls you into a false sense of security and encourages you to stay out longer than you should.'

But if I choose an SPF15, isn't it true that I can stay out 15 times longer than if I left my skin unprotected?
Dr Bataille: 'In theory, yes, but my advice is to head for the shade long before that. For anyone who goes in the sun, creams are still a good insurance policy - but they aren't the only protection you should be looking at. If you are vulnerable to burning easily without protection, it's foolish to push your cream's SPF to the limit.'

Supposing I am wearing an SPF15 - and have pushed it to the limit. Can I slap on more and get extra protection?
Dr Newton-Bishop: 'No, that's a complete misconception. You must get out of the sun then, or you risk a real burn. You've truly reached your Waterloo, exposure-wise.'

Why do I have to reapply sun screen? . . . . . . . .[more]

Lifted from an article here:

http://www.skincancerfacts.org.uk/faq.asp

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

I always wore the long sleeved waterproof. All exposed skin was lathered with 'waterproof' F30. That had to be done on the beach as F30 on the hands is slippery and a more than a bit useless for paddle handling. Sand is effective at getting the gloop off the palm of the hand. Getting too hot was not a big prob. Easily solved by inverting, waiting 20 0r 30 seconds and then rolling upright.

 

[Steve Clayton]

I'm sorry, but that's not only nonsense, but dangerous nonsense.

I didn't mention chemicals, etc - other posters did

This is no substitute for avoiding getting burnt in the first place,

I agree

and if you don't know that then you should.

I do

This stuff may salve you after you've been burnt,

It does

the damage is already done.

... and relief may be required; also got a lip salve for wind burnt, chapped lips

 

[reginaldon]

Neither self nor swmbo have ever used sun cream or cover up or wear sun glasses, we never seem to burn, however we have not often sunbathed, ; wife is dark haired not swarthy, I was fair haired not particularly fair skinned. We have lived by the sea most of our lives, that probably helped. We're now both octogenarians. When I have very occasionally felt a searing heat in the sun, 2 or 3 years ago we went in the shade in the garden.
Maybe we have been living dangerously.

 

[mikehibb]

I wear my floppy hat and long sleaved shirt these days in the med.
Factor up early, but have on occassion forgotten to keep on adding more after a couple of hours. Will not forget again.
Now keep a spare tube of F30 on the boat at all times. Will be getting F50 too.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I have fair skin and spent five years in the Caribbean in the 80's. In the past 3 years, sun damage from then is coming to the fore now, so I have been to a well reputed dermatologist.

He is a dinghy sailor and recommended P20. It does the job, and lasts several hours.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Judging by some of what people wear you are like me and suffer from the Zebra syndrome where we have white parts and brown parts.

The Germans seem to of overcome this by abandoning all clothes at every opportunity although I would not want to be the one rubbing the crème in although come to think of it there are some very attractive German ladies out there.

It is concerning that several people have had to visit dermatologists and even have surgery.

Sometimes it is hard to explain to occasional crew the effects of the sun out sailing as they don’t realise they are getting burnt. You can tell them but they are adults and often don’t listen.

There are also some things that have come up which are interesting. Can sun screen be bad, does a repeated application make any difference and does sun screen above factor 15 make any difference. I don’t know.

I have also heard that natural yoghurt is one of the best solutions for sun burnt.

What I do know is that I will be taking better care of my skin from now on but am I too late?

 

[Richard Shead]

Agreed P20 v good stuff.

 

[westernman]

does a repeated application make any difference and does sun screen above factor 15 make any difference. I don’t know.

From my experience, repeated application does make a big difference.
With just one application during the day I get burnt. With three applications spread through the day I don't.

I find there is a very big difference between factor 50 (which is what I usually use) and factor 15. And that within the same brand.

I find Nivea the best - my crew disagree and use something else which costs 3x as much.

 

[Richard Shead]

P 20 is not cheap and can leave marks on a white t shirt if you are in and out of the water but you can get away with one application a day.

I have just come back from Greece where it was around 40 all day and whilst I don't easily burn (darkish skin) P20 lasted all day from one morning application. Of course I am careful but this is the best stuff I have ever used.

I also make sure I apply beneath my t shirt and the underside of my feet !

Hat and sunglasses (good ones but that's a different thread!) are of course essential..

Oh and a good dose of common sense.....

 

[chinita]

After about six years sailing in the Med I developed a little red sore on my lower eyelid.

I ignored it for about a year before going to A&E at the Royal Liverpool Hospital on a trip back to UK.

It was diagnosed as a blocked oil duct and I was booked in for removal.

Had it removed by a young lady who did not really seem to know what she was doing. Not very nice, particularly the smell of burning flesh as it was cauterised. The scheduled 15 minutes turned into about an hour.

Three weeks later, recalled to hospital. Histology report said it was a basal cell carcinoma and that the removed tissue had a 'ragged edge' and had therefore not been fully removed.

I saw two different consultants. One said it was just another minor op, the other said I would need pretty extensive skin grafts and it would take about six months.

I had a third opinion at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton. The consultant confirmed it was a minor op to remove remaining carcinoma. He would do it.

He did not do it. Another young lady did. Three weeks later, another recall. They had STILL not removed the damage so had a third op. This time I insisted the consultant did it.

So far, all is ok but I am now extremely careful. I try to keep in the shade and wear a hat.

What slightly puzzled me is that I always thought that I took the right precautions when sailing. I wore high grade Ray Bans all of the time and I can't help wondering how the sun got through to this very specific and protected area.

The advice I would give is to go to the quack the moment you spot anything unusual developing on your skin. Particularly eyes, ears and nose - apparently the most vulnerable parts. If you are in any way concerned then ask for a referral to a consultant dermatologist.

Of course prevention is better than cure. I thought i was taking reasonable steps but I was obviously wrong.

 

[Chris_Robb]

I always keep a bottle of factor 5 on board, just incase of visitors! Occassionaly I put some on my face and neck!

I have a friend in medical research who tells me that there is evidence (albeit light) that the ingredients in sunscreens may contribute to carcinogenic effects!

I wouldn't be surprised, if this is proved to be the case in years to come!

I believe that the medical research that has been done and suppressed by the industry for obvious reasons, says that sun tan lotions may have been a major contributor to the increase in incidents of skin cancer. This is because they stop the production of Vitamin D which your body uses to combat rouge cells. So using lotions are a double whammy, as your body still receives some of the radiation that is damaging, but none of the good stuff for Vt D production.,

The rule that I live by in the med is expose yourself for increasing amounts every day and then COVER UP with clothes - NOT sun screen. The only exception to this is your face which you cannot cover up. I am fair skinned and after 2 months can be in the sun most of the day now.

 

[Sybarite]

Agreed P20 v good stuff.

That's not what my dermatologist says. Minimum 50 if you can't find 60. I have had minor surgery for 3 out of the last 4 years to remove pre-cancerous bits.

I think that there is a whole market out there to sell long-slieved but lightweight shirts with a large collar to turn up to protect the back of the neck. I see something like a cotton shirt with wide slieves bunched at the wrist (sort of pirate style) which would be light enough to wear in hot weather whilst still providing UV protection. I now wear a Tilley-type wide brim hat with tie-string attached. However with the reverberations coming off the water it is necessary to have cream as well. It's well to remember that you can get burnt even on an overcast day.

While we're at it I would also like light trousers with padded shin guards; the shins always seem to take a knock on the boat.

My next boat will have, hopefully, a doghouse shelter (as for a Salar 40) linking up to a bimini.

I love the sun and seem to have a permanent tan but the demato says I am fair-skinned.


PS the problems can also arise many years after a serious burn.

 

[Nostrodamus]

So you are the phantom exposer
Interesting that a few people are mentioning the bad effects that sun tan lotion can have.
Does anyone know if you are less likely to damage your skin when it has built up exposure levels?
I think the worst thing I have seen quite often is people (partially women) putting on baby lotion to make their skins browner.

 

[Sybarite]

From my experience, repeated application does make a big difference.
With just one application during the day I get burnt. With three applications spread through the day I don't.

I find there is a very big difference between factor 50 (which is what I usually use) and factor 15. And that within the same brand.

I find Nivea the best - my crew disagree and use something else which costs 3x as much.

It would be interesting to find out what the active ingredients are so that you don't have to fork out a fortune for the cosmetic aspect.

 

[Nostrodamus]

I think that there is a whole market out there to sell long-slieved but lightweight shirts with a large collar to turn up to protect the back of the neck. .

Have you though about those cycling shirts.Long sleves, colourful an lightweight.