Has Sunscreen Ever Stopped Working For You?

[arielmomma]

This sounds strange, but beginning this summer sunscreen seems to have stopped working on DH. We have tried a variety of brands, but no matter what we try, he ends up burned to a crisp. And he's not someone who normally burns much. I know it is not the sunscreen itself, b/c I'm an uber-light skinned redhead with freckles and I've never had a problem with any of them. DH is not on any medication that would cause the problem.

I am bringing this up b/c we leave for Florida in 10 days and I'm not sure what to do. Florida sun is a whole lot more intense than anything we've had here in MI this summer.

Anyone out there ever have this problem? Any suggestions beyond wearing sunhats and long sleeves (DH says long sleeves are out of the question - he doesn't handle late-summer Florida heat well in a swimsuit)

Thanks

 

[bdcp]

Is he on any new medication?

 

[Gracie09]

What brands are you trying? You may need something like Blue Lizard that is more of a physical block and not a chemical one.

 

[bumbershoot]

Is he on any new medication?

She said no in her OP.



I'm having that experience! DS and I went to seaworld during the heat wave in so cal. DS put ONE application and had no burning and just a touch of goldening. He doesn't tan, he turns golden. Ah it's good to be mixed race... I put on several applications and got burned up! DS didn't put any on his legs; same exact golden as on the parts he used it on. I got burned the WORST on the spots where it turns out I rubbed the sunscreen from my hands (my knees).

I'm getting a conspiracy theory in my head from my recent experiences, to tell the truth. Or I'm thinking comedian Lewis Black has it right...just use Crisco. When you hear the sizzle, get inside.

 

[arielmomma]

What brands are you trying? You may need something like Blue Lizard that is more of a physical block and not a chemical one.

I've only tried the varieties I can buy over the counter in my local stores. I'll look up Blue Lizard. Thanks.

I'm open to any suggestions. It's so weird. He's never had any problems in the past. At the beginning of summer I was accusing him of forgetting to put it on when he ended up burnt. It was recently when we've gone through 4 different brands that the sunscreen itself wasn't working.

9 days to figure it out. Without a solution, my DH will end up a lobster!

 

[arielmomma]

She said no in her OP.



I'm having that experience! DS and I went to seaworld during the heat wave in so cal. DS put ONE application and had no burning and just a touch of goldening. He doesn't tan, he turns golden. Ah it's good to be mixed race... I put on several applications and got burned up! DS didn't put any on his legs; same exact golden as on the parts he used it on. I got burned the WORST on the spots where it turns out I rubbed the sunscreen from my hands (my knees).

I'm getting a conspiracy theory in my head from my recent experiences, to tell the truth. Or I'm thinking comedian Lewis Black has it right...just use Crisco. When you hear the sizzle, get inside.

LOL

I know what you mean, DH is normally our tanner. He's the one that I'm jealous of when practically albino me has to be so careful. Normally, I'd laugh a bit and consider this an intriguing cosmic turn of fate. But sending him to Florida in late summer unprotected is more a form of Medieval torture.

 

[DLgal]

Is he applying it 20-30 minutes ahead of sun exposure on DRY skin?

If not, he might be sweating it off before it has a chance to soak in. Also, maybe he is not using enough? An adult should use 1-2 ounces PER application.

Also, there are medical conditions that cause sun sensitivity. I'd have him check with his doctor on this one.

 

[texasroni75]

You know, it's funny you mention this, because I'm having the same problem myself. If I'm out in the sun for longer than an hour, I have to reapply - especially on my shoulders, nose and forehead. It used to be that I'd apply it once and only re-apply in 3-4 hours or more often if I'm swimming, but that's no longer the case. I'm not on any meds that cause sensitivity to sun, so I can't help but wonder too if these companies are watering their stuff down!:.

 

[KalamityJane]

http://www.drfranklipman.com/natural-sun-protection/

You might look into boosting his protection from within too - these are all foods that help with naturally being more resistant to sunburn.

 

[CandyMouse]

My family and I are very fair-skinned and we use the No-Ad sport sunblock. It works really well for us as long as we put it on and wait about 15 min. before we go out in the sun. We usually only have to reapply one time after lunch when we go to our local waterpark. It's great and we've used it about the last 3-4 yrs. The only place I seem to be able to find it is Rite-Aid and I use to get it at Walmart. It's hard to find though, so every time I find it I buy a couple bottles! Good Luck!

 

[DLgal]

You know, it's funny you mention this, because I'm having the same problem myself. If I'm out in the sun for longer than an hour, I have to reapply - especially on my shoulders, nose and forehead. It used to be that I'd apply it once and only re-apply in 3-4 hours or more often if I'm swimming, but that's no longer the case. I'm not on any meds that cause sensitivity to sun, so I can't help but wonder too if these companies are watering their stuff down!:.

I don't think they are watering it down but most of the labels say reapply every 80 minutes OR after swimming or sweating excessively. That's like once an hour on average. Most of us probably do not follow the instructions that well. I know I don't.

 

[mm1971]

I've only tried the varieties I can buy over the counter in my local stores. I'll look up Blue Lizard. Thanks.

I'm open to any suggestions. It's so weird. He's never had any problems in the past. At the beginning of summer I was accusing him of forgetting to put it on when he ended up burnt. It was recently when we've gone through 4 different brands that the sunscreen itself wasn't working.

9 days to figure it out. Without a solution, my DH will end up a lobster!

What SPF are you using? Maybe try something higher, although I did hear anything over SPF50 doesn't provide any additional protection, who know. We use SPF 30 and none of us had any issues.

I would try to find a product with different active ingredients if possible. Maybe DH skin doesn't absorb the ones you are buying. Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[rachael95]

You might also look into buying him some sunblocking clothes. A lot of sports-style shirts now come with a sunscreen built into the material. It's still best to put on sunscreen, and you'd definitely have to still do it to the exposed areas.

Is he eating something that he used to not eat or has he changed jobs where he gets less sun exposure year-round than he used to so that maybe his body is not as used to it as he used to be? If you don't have that "base" tan, you will end up burning more.

 

[powellrj]

I know I am much more sensitive than I use to be. Mine is from medication. I will apply sunscreen and still be burnt!

 

[englishteacha]

I've had good luck with the spray on sunscreen that you don't have to rub in. I burn to a crisp in about 5 minutes of sun exposure without sunblock. I also have good luck with sunblock that has a physical block in it like titanium dioxide. If you're trying different brands but they all have the same active ingredients, try something with different active ingredients. Maybe something for babies with a high SPF? Many of those have titanium dioxide in them rather than the chemical sunscreens.

 

[momof1princess]

i would try a higher SPF, and reapply more frequently. i'm allergic to the sun, and, when we go to WDW, i have to use 100+ sunblock and reapply it several times throughout the day. if i don't, i break out in a horribly itchy rash all over. i forgot to reapply it on one day of our WDW trip back in may, and OMG, the itching was HORRIBLE! needless to say, i remembered for the rest of the trip!

 

[crisi]

Has he been to a doctor? He should go. Increased sensitivity to the sun could be an indication of an underlying issue.

 

[arielmomma]

Thanks for the advice.

We are already using 50-100 spf sunscreen. We've used regular, sport, baby, rub on, spray (which I'd never recommend to anyone), etc. We apply it 15-20 minutes ahead, and reapply when we sweat or swim. I'm a very pale, freckled redhead. We've always done this for the sake of the kids and I. We also have the sunscreen clothes, shirts anyway. I swear by them in the water parks!

He isn't on any meds, nor has he switched jobs. He has a nice base tan from all of his burns! He hasn't been to a doctor yet b/c we just realized this is really a problem and he won't be getting to one in the next 6 days. Still, it is something we may need to look into. I'm an RN, so this something I did consider. Fortunately, he has a physical scheduled shortly after we get back.

However, we did spend all day at a carnival yesterday and he did not burn. We used the Neutragena SPF 55+ smooth face sunscreen (a lotion type). He applied on his face, neck, and arms and it worked! Of course, we are in MI and the highest UV rating yesterday was a 6, but it is a start!

I am also planning on stopping by Walgreens and purchasing a bottle of Blue Lizard as extra protection. I did a little internet research and the top ranking sunscreens by several sites have Blue Lizard ranked number 1 and the Neutragena I have now ranked number 2.

So for the others who said that they are having a similar problem. Look into the Neutragena. It's around $12 for a 3oz bottle, so for a Florida trip, it could get costly, but it did work.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Tigger1221]

Dh gets bad sun poisoning and swears by Blue Lizard. I also us Blue Lizard baby on DD. I however burn when using the Blue Lizard . I use Coppertone Sport but Netragena on my face. My step-dad is a dermatologist and loves Blue Lizard.