Sunscreen Question--PLEEEAASE help!

[choppee]

my family and i are going to be in wdw this june (yeah, i know, hot!) and i have a serious question about sunscreen! being african-american, i only really think about using it every now and then when at the beach or in the sun all day, and even with that, i grew up without ever really being taught about the necessity of protecting my skin. i was always told that i would be "fine", and chalked up any burns to just testing the waters too long. last visit to the parks the whole family (we are all african-american) burned really, REALLY badly, and since i have no understanding? preconception? experience? with this i was really floundering trying to understand how to deal with and treat a burn (my poor babies' noses were pink as strawberries....) please, please help me with some recommendations of good sunscreens to use and advice on how to treat them if we get them again (ugh. sooooo not wanting that!!!). i had just slathered on a bit in the morning and that would be enough...lesson learned! please help me out here--appreciate your help!

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

I can understand! Of course, as a fair-skinned redhead with freckles, I have the opposite experience.... a lifetime of constant re-applying! I think your best bet is avoiding the burn altogether. I would use a miniumum 30 SPF.

I think you just need to remember to reapply throughout the day more often. We tend to be Rope Drop people, so we apply 1st thing in the mornings before we ever enter the parks & then again around 11 am/lunchtime. On long summer days we apply a 3rd dose around 4 because the late day FL sun is still brutal during the last hours of the day.

My dermatologist recommends Blue Lizard brand & you might find this thread interesting: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3109016

 

[choppee]

I can understand! Of course, as a fair-skinned redhead with freckles, I have the opposite experience.... a lifetime of constant re-applying! I think your best bet is avoiding the burn altogether. I would use a miniumum 30 SPF.

I think you just need to remember to reapply throughout the day more often. We tend to be Rope Drop people, so we apply 1st thing in the mornings before we ever enter the parks & then again around 11 am/lunchtime. On long summer days we apply a 3rd dose around 4 because the late day FL sun is still brutal during the last hours of the day.

My dermatologist recommends Blue Lizard brand & you might find this thread interesting: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3109016

blue lizard? okay...i will certainly try it! can i find it anywhere or at local drugstores? i will also look on that link that you recommended.

and how much do you reapply? i know, it seems really obvious, but i'm not sure if you slather it on or just reapply a touch, enough to rub in???? i'm completely hopeless, i know! but thanks for helping!

 

[BeckyEsq]

I have read in magazines many times that each person needs about a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover their entire body.

If you get a burn, aloe vera can help.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I live in central west FL and sunscreen is a must here regardless of what skin type you have.
30 SPF should be high enough. Higher than that really doesn't add a great deal more coverage. You want to be sure the sunscreen you pick blocks UV and UB rays. Neutrogena products do and are available in any drug store.

Application directions are usually on the packaging but if you buy a lotion type product, it's safe to say use it like you would any body lotion. A dime size for arms, quarter or a bit more for legs. Face, just under a dime size.
Sprays - I'd just say liberally. And yes apply it at least 2-3 times in a day. About every 3-4 hours. Even as the sun is starting to go down. One of the worst burns I ever got living in FL was from the 4-7 pm hours.

Make sure to invest in good sunglasses too. June is hot but August would be worse.

 

[NFLDERS]

Whatever you do don't use Spray. I don't trust any of them since reading of a spray that ignited from a heat source nearby, burning the child and person applying it.

We used Banana Boat Tear Free SPF 60 on our Feb cruise to the Caribbean. It was very HOT! Our 6 yr old Grandson had no burn at all. DH and I used it as well.

If you have boys don't forget the ears, because with baseball caps ears are exposed.

We had our sons wear white tee-shirts near and in the water, when they were little, they didn't mind, and now their children do the same.

Happy sailing!

 

[choppee]

I have read in magazines many times that each person needs about a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover their entire body.

If you get a burn, aloe vera can help.

Really? How does aloe vera help? Do you put it one the burn to cool down the effects? I'm assuming that you are talking about the gel.

 

[choppee]

I live in central west FL and sunscreen is a must here regardless of what skin type you have.
30 SPF should be high enough. Higher than that really doesn't add a great deal more coverage. You want to be sure the sunscreen you pick blocks UV and UB rays. Neutrogena products do and are available in any drug store.

Application directions are usually on the packaging but if you buy a lotion type product, it's safe to say use it like you would any body lotion. A dime size for arms, quarter or a bit more for legs. Face, just under a dime size.
Sprays - I'd just say liberally. And yes apply it at least 2-3 times in a day. About every 3-4 hours. Even as the sun is starting to go down. One of the worst burns I ever got living in FL was from the 4-7 pm hours.

Make sure to invest in good sunglasses too. June is hot but August would be worse.

okay, this helps too! just like lotion...i can do that easily.

 

[choppee]

Whatever you do don't use Spray. I don't trust any of them since reading of a spray that ignited from a heat source nearby, burning the child and person applying it.

We used Banana Boat Tear Free SPF 60 on our Feb cruise to the Caribbean. It was very HOT! Our 6 yr old Grandson had no burn at all. DH and I used it as well.

If you have boys don't forget behind the ears

Happy sailing!

oh, boy, i totally forgot!!! yes, i do have a boy and sure would have forgotten his poor little ears....ugh. bad momma award! you guys are really helpful, thanks!

 

[NFLDERS]

Whatever you do don't use Spray. I don't trust any of them since reading of a spray that ignited from a heat source nearby, burning the child and person applying it.

We used Banana Boat Tear Free SPF 60 on our Feb cruise to the Caribbean. It was very HOT! Our 6 yr old Grandson had no burn at all. DH and I used it as well.

If you have boys don't forget behind the ears

Happy vacation!

 

[NFLDERS]

oh, boy, i totally forgot!!! yes, i do have a boy and sure would have forgotten his poor little ears....ugh. bad momma award! you guys are really helpful, thanks!

You are welcome. Another tip if you do get burn. Milk a little cool is fine but not cold applied with gauze, cosmetic pads works wonders to soothe.

 

[NFLDERS]

Sorry for all the repeats, My playbook seems to have taken on a life of it's own!

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

Really? How does aloe vera help? Do you put it one the burn to cool down the effects? I'm assuming that you are talking about the gel.

Aloe does help a lot! You can find a lot of "after sun" lotions & gels that contain it as an ingredient.

Don't forget sensitive scalps too! DD gets slathered in sunscreen but after she burned her scalp where her hair parted for her braids. Now we make sure her head gets dabbed too.

 

[choppee]

these are all great tips, and i'm so thankful for the advice...we are NOT gonna get crisped again because of you!!!

 

[Freesia123]

I love the spray! I stand my kids in the bathtub in the morning in their underwear and swim goggles and spray all over! So easy! I then touch up their faces with lotion. Out of respect for others we reapply with lotion when out and about. You are better to overdo than underdo it. Sunscreen really does expire a year after opening. The oils breakdown and can give you a nasty rash so new vacation , new sunscreen! You can apply an aloe Vera gel if you get burned or literally break off a piece of the aloe vers plant and apply the sap.
Body shop also has a very soothing aftersun lotion that I like.

 

[Freesia123]

A sunscreen stick (looks like a glue stick) is awesome for doing parts in your hair

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Another thing to remember is the temperature really has nothing to do with whether or not you'll get burned. Any time that sun is hitting you, there's a potential to get burned. Even on hazy days or somewhat cloudy days you can still be effected. That all being said, you may prefer a lighter weight or non oily sunscreen on really hot days just because you won't feel so greasy with the lotion and the sweating.

Most people don't apply nearly enough but my experience with that whole shot glass theory was that you just can't rub that much product in. I'd just be concerned most with hitting any area that will absolutely be exposed (face, shoulders, arms) and a lighter coating on stuff that will be covered. I always wear jeans at disney so I don't bother with my legs unless they're capri length. I also don't do my stomach and lower back. If I feel myself sweating a lot, I try to reapply whenever I stop for a few minutes but you can try to at least reapply at like...landmark times (I can't think of a better way to put that) so reapply after naptime, or after lunch and dinner.

Pay attention to the often missed areas like the hairline, back of the neck, tops of the feet if you're wearing sandals. I would also recommend a sunscreen that's formulated for the face to be used separately from what you use on your body especially if you're prone to any kind of skin sensitivity or breakouts. If you're wearing foundation that usually (at least nowadays) has a small SPF in it already, but you'll likely need more. You don't need anything super strong for the face because it can cause skin issues. Since you're not used to using sunscreen, I'd recommend doing a patch test on a small part of your arm or leg to see if you react to it, its not common but I've seen it happen. Also be careful of your eye area. I was working at a makeup counter and had a client who came in with puffy red irritated skin around her eyes, she was returning a product with a higher SPF in it and it was just too strong for her skin.

 

[alexensmom]

Many spray sunscreens say to rub in after spraying. Since sprays can discolor clothing and bathing suits and have to be rubbed in anyway, I use lotion. Target brand (UP) makes a great unscented lotion. Besides, the girls on my softball team will complain about smelling suntan lotion from a mile away. My family has really fair skin and we have great success with the UP lotions. I burn easily on my scalp so I make sure I pull all my hair back or I put lotion on my part. UP has a stick lotion that I like to use for that.

 

[AnnaNonamus]

Sprays work fast and good in the morning- have the kids 'tuck' their lips in, and wear swim goggles, or use lotion only on their face. There are also sunblock sticks that work great for small areas- hair parts as a PP mentioned, ears, noses. Make sure to reapply a few times, as sweat and water both diminish the effects, and over time, it breaks down. The noon hours when the sun is highest, are the harshest hours. During summer, that means anywhere from 11am to about 3pm.

Apply before it gets hot- dermatologists say that it takes about 30 minutes before it is effective.

Hats also help keep the sun off those lil faces- sun hats with the edges are great for boys and girls, as long as they will keep them on. It blocks the sun from their heads, and keeps their eyes shaded a bit more.

And, breaks- if you are feeling very warm, chances are more likely you are burning. Find an indoor place to take a break- grab an ice cream cone, or a snack, and let your skin rest a bit. Take the time to reapply, hydrate, and rest.

Good luck!

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

Pump sprays are ok, but don't use the aerosol version. The are easily inhaled during application and coat the lungs and airways. It can cause damage. Even if you tell them to hold their breath, it is still in the air when you are done. My altime favorite spray is all terrain sunblock spray. It is a physical blocker, not a chemical, and is much safer for the skin than all the chemical versions. It does not show up as white on the skin as many of the other physical blocker sunblocks. So easy to reapply on the go.
Another important place to put sunscreen on little girls, besides the ears is along a part in their hair. It's the top of their head and gets the full sun all day. Hats are a great thing if you can get the kids to keep them on.

If you do get burned one way to actually reduce the damage is to take an anti-inflammatory, like aspirin or ibuprofen. Take it as soon as you notice the burn, then continue to take regular doses through the next day. It will make a world of difference! I learned this from my father, and it has come in handy countless times over the years.