SUNSCREEN!!!! (with a big thank you to DONALD for bringing that up)

[MICHELLENDEAN]

Nothing, nothing, nothing will kill your trip like a sunburn!

As a person who grew up in South Florida and saw enough "lobsterized" tourist to know....SUNSCREEN and LOTS of it.
I think with the thinning of the ozone layer it has gotten MUCH worse...you WILL burn in 15-20 minutes if you are fair and absolutly RUIN your trip.
please, please, please apply sunscreen and DON'T forget your feet both TOPs and Bottoms!!! also, behind your ears and your underarms...get a pal (or make a friend ! LOL!) and do your back and back of your legs completly!!!
THIS IS VITAL!
I'm so glad someone brought this up..it could be a thread of it's own!!

MY TIP:
IN the AM after you shower and towel off, stand there naked and apply it everywhere..this way the spots you thought weren't exposed get covered...
go have your breakfast then hit the sun..this should give the sunscreen PLENTY of time to absorb into the skin...then YOU MUST apply it every two hours.
THEY SAY we don't use enough..the average adult should use the amount of a full shot glass for the first application. 1/2 (shot) for a child, but you really can't use too much.

[MICHELLENDEAN]

PS...also you must re-apply after coming out of the water or sweating..don't believe the "waterproof" hype...to be safe you do need to re-apply and also DON'T believe the "all day protection" again if you're fair skinned nothing will protect you all day bring a cover up and a hat!!!
(Do I sound like a naggy old lady or what!) SORRY!

[kramer_clan]

Don't forget pain reliever that will also provide anti-inflamatory relief. Ibuprofen works great---that is just in case you get that dreaded sunburn.

Vicki

[donald@home]

I saw so many people applying it when they got to the pool or the beach. It takes about 30 minutes before it is absorbed into your skin and begins to work. If you wait until you are in the sun, then it is too late. It should be done in the room before you get dressed and head out. Also, they were applying it in such a haphazard way, leaving big areas unprotected. Do they think this stuff will magically spread and coat them? I saw so many people later in the day with big areas of white surrounded by big areas of bright red. Apply it everywhere, on top of your ears, in your ears, and don't forget the pocket behind your knee. In addition, buy a spray with a high spf and spray your head and scalp, even if you have a full head of hair. I saw a man with hair that was thinning sleeping by the pool. His entire scalp was PURPLE, like raw pork purple. I have never seen human skin that color. I can only imagine what type of pain he was in later.

I think I used more than a shotglass full. By the end of the day on St. John, you could actually see the layer of sunscreen on me, but I didn't burn. I agree, you can never use too much.

[TootyJane]

I am very "fair" skinned and have used sunscreen for as long as I can remember. Before vacation I stock up at Costco with at least 6 bottles of the highest SPF (usually 45 and waterproof) I can find. We are a family of 5. I always apply it in gobs at least 20-30 minutes before venturing out into the sun. My kids complain that I use too much but I always tell them I'd rather hear them complain I'm using too much than hearing them complain that the sunburn hurts! I also reapply every 2 hours without fail. If you miss any area, Aloe Vera gel works wonders. Also don't forget to apply sunscreen to your scalp -- like if you have a part in your hair!

Lisa :sunny:

[vicnmickey]

Does sunscreen have an expiration date on it? Should you throw out the old stuff from last year and buy new before you cruise. I just want to be totally prepared, because myself and my son are red heads. We don't burn to badly here in Northern IL. but I know how dangerous the rays are in FL. so I can only imagine how they are in the Bahama's.
I would also like to add to the Thank you's to Donald for bringing this up:)
370 days and counting everyone of them:crazy:

[donald@home]

YES YES YES. SUNSCREEN DOES EXPIRE. Never use an old tube. Throw it away at the end of the season and buy new sunscreen before you go back out in the sun.

[doulasue]

I have to say that after reading the reference to "raw pork purple skin" I am going to be a freak about applying sunscreen!!! LOL
I have an 8 year old son with bright red hair and freckles, and the fairest skin you have ever seen, I will need to dunk him in sunscreen!!! He always gives me a hard time about applying it, but I will stick to my guns. 16 days and counting!!!!!! Sue

[Julye]

I responded to Donald@home's thread about "worries and not to worry". It is about the sun and sunscreen, but it is kind of long and I didn't want to post it twice. I do believe it is worth taking a look at.

Thanks...this is an important topic that should not be taken lightly!

[npall]

As a mom of a little one (ds 2) this is so important! Thei skin is even more delicate at this age. I read some where that even 1 bad sunburn as a child increases your chances for melanoma as an adult. When we went on the Wonder last year. I applied sunscreen on myself and my son in the room then after a couple of hours at castaway cay I applied it ..

I am happy to report that none of us burned or even got a slight tan.

One tip I would tell other moms of young kids.. I put swim diapers on my son, then swimming suit shorts and a shirt. I see alot of kids in just swim diapers with no shirts on..sunblock covers but having another layer of protection helps....

Naomi

[Mtdewbuzz]

MichellenDean- thanks for the tip! I often tend to get burnt, and your tips were very helpful. I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to get tanned ahead of time too to help out also.

I couldn't help but laugh at the thread a little because between this thread & the dramamine one you made, it's making the cruise sound more & more dangerous!! LOL :D :crazy:

[perdidobay]

If you do end up with a sunburn, an antihistamine is good to take too.
I have to say that Coppertones Cool Beads Aloe with vitamin A+E is great for burns, I got a bad sunburn a week ago on my arms and used it 3 times a day and it healed well and didn't peel:)

[Jamie]

I did notice someone mentioned 6 bottles. Is this a safe amount? We are a family of 4 going to WDW for 5 days before we go on our 7 day cruise. I've heard several people mention running out or making sure you take a lot but never gave any specifics. Thanks

[MICHELLENDEAN]

Mtdewbuzz:
Oh god! I've officially become my MOTHER! UG! I'm a total buzz kill! LOL!
It's just me, I get queezy on the swing with my daughter! I'm pregnant, hormonal and a little nuts (I guess!)
and seriously, Donalds post did remind me of the horror I saw growing up on a beach...remember the 70's with all the baby oil and those tin foil tanning things people used to hold up to attract the sun?! If you did that today they'd be peeling you off the sand!

I'm also a little freaked out about the sea lice (I won't even START on that!)...but I did NOT get my sea safe in time..so I'm hoping to buy a bottle off someone..so anyone going on the 4/27 cruise (YES, that would be TOMORROW!) If you have an extra, I'm buying!

[dijid]

Michellendean - I hope you bring extra sunscreen. When you're pregnant, you're even more susceptible to sunburns, sun poisoning, etc. It seems like pregnancy messes up everything LOL! Be especially careful around the face as the "mask of pregnancy" can crop up with sun exposure. But above all - have a great trip!

[disneyholic family]

we're not going on the cruise for a few months, but i happened to notice anti-jellyfish sunscreen in the store last week, so i bought it...

[Psiklops]

Just wanted to share a story that kind of goes along with this thread:

About a year ago I went down to Patrick AFB for my Air Force Reserve Annual Tour. Patrick is located just south of Cocoa Beach.

Upon arriving, we were required to attend a briefing entitled "Local Conditions". This is where newcomers and visitors who will be working at the base are told what to expect in the local area with regard to things to do and things to watch out for.

The speaker went through all of the things to do and then proceeded into the things to watch out for.

At the end he concluded with (and I'm paraphrasing here):
"Ok, so just make sure to watch out for alligators, lightning strikes, carjackers, sunburning, jellyfish, sharks, drug dealers, and alcohol poisoning... But have fun!"

I didn't want to leave the room! :D

- Jim

P.S. I actually had a great time - lots to do - if you get a chance, check out JamaicanMeCrazy night (Wednesdays) at the Holiday Inn just south of the base on A1A. :)

[abitjaded]

Originally posted by dijid
Michellendean - I hope you bring extra sunscreen. When you're pregnant, you're even more susceptible to sunburns, sun poisoning, etc. It seems like pregnancy messes up everything LOL! Be especially careful around the face as the "mask of pregnancy" can crop up with sun exposure. But above all - have a great trip!

I'm finally getting rid of my mask nine years later! Renova saves the day! My mask came from just one dumb day of too much sun when I was pregnant.

There are a couple good threads going on in the Disney Tips section on good face products.

Carla