black people and sunblock

[Lorelai71]

Okay,
We leave in one day I just love saying one more day

I need some help. I am trying to buy sunblock and have no idea what brand or coverage I would need. We are black and normally don't wear sunblock because we actually never thought we needed it.

However, since we will be in the sun for many days I think it's best to be prudent.

I would like to get the most coverage possible. We are already very dark so we do not need to get a tan.

What should I get? Please help! I have no clue
What brand?
What spf?


Also, we are going for 10 days and there will be three of us. How many bottles would we need?


Thanks

 

[angiedora]

Hi!
I have been buying Coppertone Sport No Pump Spray SPF30. It comes in a blue can and it's super easy with no mess. I have the darkest skin of our family members, rarely burn just freckle, and DH has the lightest skin, always burns and quickly! We all use the same product, I just reapply to the 2 most fair, DH and DS, more often. HTH!

 

[lovelyk68]

Your thread title definitely caught my attention!!!!!! Anyway, we usually use Coppertone SPF45 for our family. I don't use it too much, but when the kids are going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, I definitely apply it!

Have a wonderful time!!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

like you, i never wear sunscreen normally, since i generally don't burn even in a florida sun (i'm a somewhat light-skinned white, but for some reason i tan extremely dark).

even in WDW, i don't typically put on sunscreen....only if i start to feel as if i've burned....that happened to me during our visit to WDW 2 weeks ago when my daughter and i spent 2 hours in the pool.....but the entire week before that, i didn't use sunscreen and i didn't burn...

but on the days following the pool, i did put sunscreen on my arms....but only my arms, since they felt a bit burned....but not on my face or legs....

 

[Amyg]

I just had to add, everyone, no matter what color your skin is naturally, should wear sunscreen daily (even in cloudy weather).

I always use at least 30 spf, I have medium tone and now have sunspots from all the years of not wearing protection.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

There was a thing on 20-20 not long ago that said it doesn't matter what brand you get. Just get a high number SPF and one that says it's waterproof (or look for the word "sport" on the label). I use the NoAd brand you can get at Walmart for super cheap. I am grossly fair-skinned and this stuff has never let me down.

 

[LoveWDW]

I recently had a check up with my dermatologist and got a good report, but he handed out a flyer that said that even though SPF 15 is enough, that people don't apply it heavily or often enough to get the needed protection. So I use SPF 30 every day and SPF 45 when in the sun for a long time.

Back to the original question about Black people and sunblock, I am a very fair White and didn't have any information, so I googled the question and found this:

"It’s a myth that black skin won’t be damaged through overexposure to the sun.

Very dark skin has a natural SPF (sun protection factor) of about six or eight. On its own, this is insufficient to guard against sun damage. White skin, in contrast, has a built-in SPF of around two to four, depending on the amount of melanin present.

All skin is at risk of sun damage if left exposed for too long. Although people with olive, brown or black skins may be less at risk from sun burn, no one is immune.

“There’s really not a big difference where white and black skin is concerned. The risks are the same,” emphasises Livia, a therapist at The Bay Skincare Institute in Camps Bay, Cape Town.

Melanin, the substance that determines skin colour, acts as a natural barrier against sun damage. Sun exposure stimulates the body to produce more melanin in the form of a tan, as an attempt at self-preservation.

But melanin can only do so much, as it isn’t an absolute barrier, and developing a tan is a sign that damage has already occurred.

Overexposure to the sun can result in sunburn, sunstroke, vision problems such as cataracts, premature ageing, and most seriously, skin cancer. Skin exposed to the sun loses elasticity and wrinkles more easily.

And here’s the worst news: sun damage is cumulative and irreversible.

Watch out for skin cancer

...

Prevention is better than cure

The rules are simple: wear a hat and a decent pair of sunglasses, and cover up with sunblock.

...
Avoid being outside when the sun’s rays are most intense, i.e. between 10am and 3pm. Always use a sunblock of at least SPF 15, even on a cloudy day, or while driving. "

http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/herlife/fashionandbeauty/183362.htm

 

[abca]

I am a plastic surgeon and I recommend that all of my patients use sun screen and a wide brimmed hat. Anything higher than about 15 spf does not give you significantly more sun protection (it's a logrhithmic scale, so diminishing returns as you go higher). I usually recommend an spf of 28-30 because it is easy to find. You just have to reapply it frequently, especially if you are sweating or getting wet. You should also apply more than you think. Most people do apply enough. Also apply it to areas under your clothing especially if your clothes are light colored. Wear a hat if you don't want to apply the sunscreen to your scalp. Sun screen should be applied about 20 minutes before you go out into the sun. You can still get sunburned on a cloudy day and even if you are sitting in the shade (think relfection). The risk for skin damage, wrinkles and skin cancer can occur no matter how dark your skin is or how well you tan, and the effect is cumulative.

 

[stacy6552]

Its all in the ingredients! Be sure that whatever you buy has Parsol1789 or Avobenzone in it.

 

[Uncle Albert]

take something. I'm black and I thought I wouldn't burn. But my back got really burned in Stormalong Bay at the BC. We were there in early July. The Florida sun don't play.

Have fun. I want to go.

Uncle Albert

 

[Harambe]

And wear a hat! We all wear ball caps to keep the sun off our faces.

Have fun! We'll be going in 11 days!!!!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

take something. I'm black and I thought I wouldn't burn. But my back got really burned in Stormalong Bay at the BC. We were there in early July. The Florida sun don't play.

Have fun. I want to go.

Uncle Albert

The same thing happened to me during our first trip to WDW. I'd never used sunscreen in the past. I was shocked when I noticed a sunburn on my back and shoulders.

Now I always pack SPF 45 and apply plenty each morning.

 

[Lorelai71]

I just have to say, "Thank you, thank you, thank you".

As always, the members of the DIS boards are awesome.

I feel like a baby bird getting ready to take my first flight. When I first found these boards I knew pretty much nothing about Disney. Now, I feel so confident because of all I have learned.

Once again, your info is very much appreciated. Thanks for the advice. I didn't realize how dangerous the sun could be for all kinds of skin.

I can't wait to get to WDW. I can't sleep! We will be leaving for the airport at 3pm.

See, type to everyone soon.

Lori

 

[the kabuki]

I really like the Coppertone Sport spray. It comes in a blue spray bottle, dries almost instantly and isn't greasy at all. Almost feels like water coming out of the bottle.

Have a magical trip!!!