Do you avoid the sun?

[zoebartlett]

RaiKai -- you and my husband are very similar. I tease him all the time about living in a cave because he doesn''t like to have the blinds open either. I love putting them up in the morning and letting the sun stream in, but he prefers it to be darker. He''s also fair skinned with reddish-brown hair, and he burns really easily. He doesn''t like to be out in the sun for too long.

 

[Haven]

Every time I see this thread it reminds me of Ray Bradbury''s short story "All Summer in a Day".

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I go out in the sun all the time! Because I'm here in WA and it is rainy and/or gray so much of the year, I take every opportunity to soak up the sun when it's out. Same with my kids. They wear sunscreen and I wear a hat. My face is sensitive to SPF so I only put sunscreen around my eyes and on my arms, etc.

ETA - oh, and one of my sons is pale olive complextion and the other is a pale soft cream and both tan up really dark! Same with me. My hands especially tan up b/c the sunscreen always gets washed or worn off!

 

[risingsun]

I avoid the sun as much as possible. I used to be a sun worshipper and I am dealing with the consequences now. In 2002, I had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the side of my nose. I had five reconstructive surgeries to repair the defect left by the surgery. Several years later, I had an invasive basal cell CA removed from an area between my eye and the bridge of my nose. Reconstructive surgery was needed. A year later, another basal cell was removed from in front of my ear. That was my easiest one. I did not need further surgery. This past January, I was diagnosed with a melanoma. It was successfully removed from the back of my upper arm. I have had numerous pre-CA lesions and atypical skin growth removed, as well. I have to see the dermatologist every three months. I see my surgeon twice a year. Some new studies have been done on sunscreens and many are not as effective as they should be. I''m sorry, but I don''t have the link handy. Please don''t do to yourself what I have done. It has changed my lifestyle and my life. I am considered high risk for recurrence and I never seem to leave the doctor''s office without at least one or more biopsies. It was not worth it. Please consider this my public service announcement.

 

[ForteKitty]

I read that anything over SPF 50 is pretty much the same as the 50?

We went thru five 8oz. tubes of spf 50 over 10 days in French Polynesia. Reapplied every hour because we snorkeled so much. We still tanned. and it felt niiiice We''re both dark haired and fairly light skinned, but tan easily, and fade easily as well. it''s been 2 weeks and my tan''s 80% gone.

 

[Natylad]

Date: 6/21/2010 1:28:31 PM
Author: risingsun
I avoid the sun as much as possible. I used to be a sun worshipper and I am dealing with the consequences now. In 2002, I had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the side of my nose. I had five reconstructive surgeries to repair the defect left by the surgery. Several years later, I had an invasive basal cell CA removed from an area between my eye and the bridge of my nose. Reconstructive surgery was needed. A year later, another basal cell was removed from in front of my ear. That was my easiest one. I did not need further surgery. This past January, I was diagnosed with a melanoma. It was successfully removed from the back of my upper arm. I have had numerous pre-CA lesions and atypical skin growth removed, as well. I have to see the dermatologist every three months. I see my surgeon twice a year. Some new studies have been done on sunscreens and many are not as effective as they should be. I''m sorry, but I don''t have the link handy. Please don''t do to yourself what I have done. It has changed my lifestyle and my life. I am considered high risk for recurrence and I never seem to leave the doctor''s office without at least one or more biopsies. It was not worth it. Please consider this my public service announcement.

Thank you so much risingsun for sharing this with us... I hope that people take it very seriously...

 

[risingsun]

Date: 6/21/2010 2:58:25 PM
Author: NatyLad

Date: 6/21/2010 1:28:31 PM
Author: risingsun
I avoid the sun as much as possible. I used to be a sun worshipper and I am dealing with the consequences now. In 2002, I had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the side of my nose. I had five reconstructive surgeries to repair the defect left by the surgery. Several years later, I had an invasive basal cell CA removed from an area between my eye and the bridge of my nose. Reconstructive surgery was needed. A year later, another basal cell was removed from in front of my ear. That was my easiest one. I did not need further surgery. This past January, I was diagnosed with a melanoma. It was successfully removed from the back of my upper arm. I have had numerous pre-CA lesions and atypical skin growth removed, as well. I have to see the dermatologist every three months. I see my surgeon twice a year. Some new studies have been done on sunscreens and many are not as effective as they should be. I'm sorry, but I don't have the link handy. Please don't do to yourself what I have done. It has changed my lifestyle and my life. I am considered high risk for recurrence and I never seem to leave the doctor's office without at least one or more biopsies. It was not worth it. Please consider this my public service announcement.

Thank you so much risingsun for sharing this with us... I hope that people take it very seriously...

Thank you, Naty. It's not a pleasant story to tell or read. It doesn't mean it will happen to everyone, but I had no way of knowing it would happen to me until the damage was done. Just please be careful....

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/21/2010 1:28:31 PM
Author: risingsun
I avoid the sun as much as possible. I used to be a sun worshipper and I am dealing with the consequences now. In 2002, I had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the side of my nose. I had five reconstructive surgeries to repair the defect left by the surgery. Several years later, I had an invasive basal cell CA removed from an area between my eye and the bridge of my nose. Reconstructive surgery was needed. A year later, another basal cell was removed from in front of my ear. That was my easiest one. I did not need further surgery. This past January, I was diagnosed with a melanoma. It was successfully removed from the back of my upper arm. I have had numerous pre-CA lesions and atypical skin growth removed, as well. I have to see the dermatologist every three months. I see my surgeon twice a year. Some new studies have been done on sunscreens and many are not as effective as they should be. I''m sorry, but I don''t have the link handy. Please don''t do to yourself what I have done. It has changed my lifestyle and my life. I am considered high risk for recurrence and I never seem to leave the doctor''s office without at least one or more biopsies. It was not worth it. Please consider this my public service announcement.

most Asian women try to avoid the sun as much as possible,cuz they don''t wanna look like a prune at the age of 40.

 

[pinkstars]

I thought about this thread this weekend. I saw someone I haven''t seen in a few months, and she''s into tanning in beds and sun bathing even if it means she''ll get burnt. Well she''s only 25(turning 26 this year), but she definitely has some wrinkles around her eyes, and on her forehead.
I find it really odd that she wants to use the sun in such a damaging way to make herself look "better" but actually taking care of her skin(with say moisturizer and sunblock) isn''t as valuable.

I guess it just really disappoints me when people don''t even try to take care of their skin and prevent something that they know will harm them. I had a friend die from cancer and it wasn''t something she could have prevented, but why take the risk with your life.

Also, I have a question, does anybody else have problems with sunblock leaving their skin kind of..pasty? I prefer to use the physical sunblock rather than the chemical, and I find that it makes me looks pale(which I''m not.) I don''t mind, but it takes me a good 5 minutes to try and work it into my skin just on my face to try and avoid that affect.

 

[missy]

Date: 6/21/2010 7:41:30 PM
Author: pinkstars
I thought about this thread this weekend. I saw someone I haven''t seen in a few months, and she''s into tanning in beds and sun bathing even if it means she''ll get burnt. Well she''s only 25(turning 26 this year), but she definitely has some wrinkles around her eyes, and on her forehead.

I find it really odd that she wants to use the sun in such a damaging way to make herself look ''better'' but actually taking care of her skin(with say moisturizer and sunblock) isn''t as valuable.


I guess it just really disappoints me when people don''t even try to take care of their skin and prevent something that they know will harm them. I had a friend die from cancer and it wasn''t something she could have prevented, but why take the risk with your life.


Also, I have a question, does anybody else have problems with sunblock leaving their skin kind of..pasty? I prefer to use the physical sunblock rather than the chemical, and I find that it makes me looks pale(which I''m not.) I don''t mind, but it takes me a good 5 minutes to try and work it into my skin just on my face to try and avoid that affect.

Yes, you have to be patient to get it on and off LOL
I find that applying it to my face isn''t so difficult but applying to the rest of my body is cumbersome as there is so much more surface area. For removing I have a little trick. I take baby wipes and gently remove it before I shower so that helps get it all off without rubbing and irritating my skin. A washcloth in the shower does the rest. However I never use a washcloth on my face because my face is very sensitive.

HTH!

 

[missy]

Date: 6/20/2010 10:03:54 PM
Author: Haven
Every time I see this thread it reminds me of Ray Bradbury''s short story ''All Summer in a Day''.

That is a haunting story...gives me chills remembering it.

 

[ForteKitty]

I wear Shiseido's Ultimate Sun protection lotion for face /body in spf 60. The one made just for face is a lil too thick for me. The face/body sunclock is light and rubs in easy. Removes easy too, i use cetaphil or target generic brand cream cleanser, depending on how sweaty i get during my workouts. its active ingrediences are: zinc oxide @ 16.3%, octinoxate @ 7.4%, ensulzole @ 2%.

It's a physical block, so it doesn't run into my eyes. I just rub the shiseido ones all over my eyelids, and nothing happens! Everything else i've tried stings, even the non-runny sweatproof ones they advertise... even when i avoid the eye area. But really if i avoid the eye area, what's the point? Turns out the chemical blocks is what causes the stinging, so they all became body sunblock. Not happy that I had to use la roche on my limbs.

Think it's $38 a bottle, but a little goes a very looong way. I keep a bottle in my purse, and reapply before my breaktimes and lunchtime when i'm outside. So Cal sun is harsh and UVA penetrates glass!

 

[missy]

Date: 6/21/2010 8:18:45 PM
Author: ForteKitty
I wear Shiseido''s Ultimate Sun protection lotion for face /body in spf 60. The one made just for face is a lil thick for me. The face/body sunclock is light and rubs in easy. Removes easy too, i use cetaphil or target generic brand cream cleanser, depending on how sweaty i get during my workouts. its active ingrediences are: zinc oxide @ 16.3%, octinoxate @ 7.4%, ensulzole @ 2%.


It''s a physical block, so it doesn''t run into my eyes. I just rub the shiseido ones all over my eyelids, and nothing happens! Everything else i''ve tried stings, even the non-runny sweatproof ones they advertise... even when i avoid the eye area. But really if i avoid the eye area, what''s the point? Turns out the chemical blocks is what causes the stinging, so they all became body sunblock. Not happy that I had to use la roche on my limbs.


Think it''s $38 a bottle, but a little goes a very looong way. I keep a bottle in my purse, and reapply before my breaktimes and lunchtime when i''m outside. So Cal sun is harsh and UVA penetrates glass!

Anything with chemicals like octinoxate I react badly to. I get an eczematous reaction to any active ingredient in sunscreen other than zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
That''s why for me (and for others) only a true physical sunblock (ie one that only contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as its active ingredients) will do.
I used to love the neutrogena for sensitive skin sunblock until I started reacting to the chemical ingredients.

 

[ForteKitty]

There is a site that rates beauty products and their toxicity level. Think this sunblock got a 4/10 toxic level because of the Octinoxate's ability to cause allergies. I cant remember the site's name, but as i was looking thru it, EVERYTHING is so toxic! I think 4 is the best out of all the other products I own.

I remember reading about california baby brand? think that one is rated 2 or something, which is very mild toxic level. And maybe one neutrogena baby sunblock that may not have any chemical blocks. lemme try to find that site.

ETA: I found it! http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Pretty much everything out there is somewhat toxic. I use that site to look at what exactly makes it "toxic" and make my own decision based on that. I can tolerate fragrance and some other stuff, so if that's as bad as it gets, i dont worry.

 

[missy]

Date: 6/21/2010 8:33:20 PM
Author: ForteKitty
There is a site that rates beauty products and their toxicity level. Think this sunblock got a 4/10 toxic level because of the Octinoxate's ability to cause allergies. I cant remember the site's name, but as i was looking thru it, EVERYTHING is so toxic! I think 4 is the best out of all the other products I own.

I remember reading about california baby brand? think that one is rated 2 or something, which is very mild toxic level. And maybe one neutrogena baby sunblock that may not have any chemical blocks. lemme try to find that site.

Is this it?
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Sorry, I don't know how to make it clickable here.

 

[ForteKitty]

yes! i edited my last post to include that, but think you beat me to it.

This is the neutrogena one i saw. doesn''t look too bad.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product/221872/Neutrogena_Pure_and_Free_Baby_Sunblock_Stick%2C_SPF_60%2B/

 

[missy]

Thanks.
You are right..I remember looking through that site and thinking as you did how everything is so toxic

I use vanicream spf 60 and though it is not listed as perfect on this site it doesn''t cause any allergic reaction for me and it is OK in terms of toxicity.

I appreciate your recommendations

Thanks!

 

[hlmr]

No, I don''t avoid the sun (b/c I love it), but try to be sensible about my exposure to it.

 

[bebe]

Date: 6/20/2010 9:28:53 PM
Author: Pink Tower

Date: 6/20/2010 9:17:40 PM

Author: bebe

In my teens and up to just a few short years ago, I spent quite a bot of time in the sun.


Loved discovering tropical beaches.


Not any more.



This past Feb. I had a squamous cancerous tumor removed from my scalp. It was the size of


an almond. Started as a bump, then grew in size and changed shape. 2 different dermatologists


both said it was nothing - a Pilar Cyst. WRONG !!!!!!



A surgeon removed a portion of my scalp the size of a silver dollar. The tumor was in my


hair - so one would wonder just how a skin cancer, supposedly from sun, develop in your hair.


Who knows, but it did.



I now have to be checked every 3 months. Scary.


I now wear 70 SPF on my face and neck. I also use


a 100 SPF spray on my arms, but I don''t think the spray is that effective.

Bebe,

My husband is a blue eyed blonde. He has had many SC''s removed, but only one squamous. They closed it up with a ''pocketbook stitch'' Would you please share where you found an spf 100 spray?


I found a 70 spray at Walmart- their store brand. That is the only 70 spray I have found.


Thanks,


-Mel

I think it''s Neutrogena - not 100% sure

 

[Luckyeshe]

Yes and No.

I do sit in the shade whenever I can. I also always have an umbrella whenever I go to the beach. And I wear SPF 50 as much as possible. But I don''t stay indoors. I try to protect myself from the sun whenever I go out though.

 

[allycat0303]

I am afraid of the sun. I wear SPF 60 on my skin whenever I go out. I''ve seen WAY too much skin cancer (one woman had 1/2 her jaw removed) let me tell you, it was horrible. Just the thought of having to go through life like that reminds me to cover up!