Easy Sun Protection for the Lazy
October 17, 2009 8:31 AM Subscribe
My dad was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and apparently that means I'm at increased risk. I guess I need to start thinking about sun protection. Problem: I am very, very lazy.
I know I'm supposed to wear sunscreen every day. I tend to dawdle in the morning, though, and I don't want to be late for work, so most days it's all I can do to brush my teeth and slap on some mascara before I run out the door. I need some advice for sun protection that doesn't take a lot of time or effort. I know that this is important and I should be willing to sacrifice the time and make the effort, but the truth of the matter is that I won't do it unless it's very easy.
Vital stats: I'm female. I don't wear foundation, and I don't put on moisturizer in the morning. I ride my bike to work, and I wear a helmet. I work in a windowless indoor office. I don't participate in any outdoor activities, and I certainly don't intentionally sunbathe or use tanning beds, but I do tend to walk outside a lot.
Any ideas, hivemind?
I know I'm supposed to wear sunscreen every day. I tend to dawdle in the morning, though, and I don't want to be late for work, so most days it's all I can do to brush my teeth and slap on some mascara before I run out the door. I need some advice for sun protection that doesn't take a lot of time or effort. I know that this is important and I should be willing to sacrifice the time and make the effort, but the truth of the matter is that I won't do it unless it's very easy.
Vital stats: I'm female. I don't wear foundation, and I don't put on moisturizer in the morning. I ride my bike to work, and I wear a helmet. I work in a windowless indoor office. I don't participate in any outdoor activities, and I certainly don't intentionally sunbathe or use tanning beds, but I do tend to walk outside a lot.
Any ideas, hivemind?
I love the spray-on sunscreens. Specifically the bag-in-bottle variety, and not the dissolved sunscreen in a standard aerosol variety.
posted by Netzapper at 8:41 AM on October 17, 2009
posted by Netzapper at 8:41 AM on October 17, 2009
Response by poster: Can you elaborate on the bag-in-bottle sunscrens, Netzapper? I don't think I've ever seen them. Also, do you use spray-on sunscreen on your face or just on your body?
Do I need to wear sunscreen on my body in the fall and winter? I think I read somewhere that you should wear sunscreen under your clothes in the summer, because summer clothes don't block all the UV rays.
posted by craichead at 8:49 AM on October 17, 2009
Do I need to wear sunscreen on my body in the fall and winter? I think I read somewhere that you should wear sunscreen under your clothes in the summer, because summer clothes don't block all the UV rays.
posted by craichead at 8:49 AM on October 17, 2009
Get one of those refillable travel-sized bottles. Fill it with your chosen/dr recommended sunscreen. Keep it in your purse/bag. If you're biking to work, you should at least spritz your face with some sunscreen beforehand and wear long sleeves on your ride. During the summer, you could wear one of those breathable shirts made out of SPF-protecting material, or you need to wear sunscreen.
I'm really lazy, too, but putting on sunscreen lotion on your face is even easier than putting on mascara. :-) Best wishes to you and your father, as well.
posted by ishotjr at 8:52 AM on October 17, 2009
I'm really lazy, too, but putting on sunscreen lotion on your face is even easier than putting on mascara. :-) Best wishes to you and your father, as well.
posted by ishotjr at 8:52 AM on October 17, 2009
I swear by Aveno's spray-on sunscreen; goes on and soaks in/drys quickly, smells good and has the added bonus of making my skin feel really soft.
For applying to the face - spray a small bit in your hands first and then apply (don't want to risk spraying in the eyes).
Also, if you have a part in your hair, use the same method of application as for your face. I've never had a problem with it drying out my hair or anything like that either. I've suffered SEVERE sunburn on my scalp, so I never forget to run sunscreen over the most exposed parts of my head.
posted by MuChao at 8:52 AM on October 17, 2009
For applying to the face - spray a small bit in your hands first and then apply (don't want to risk spraying in the eyes).
Also, if you have a part in your hair, use the same method of application as for your face. I've never had a problem with it drying out my hair or anything like that either. I've suffered SEVERE sunburn on my scalp, so I never forget to run sunscreen over the most exposed parts of my head.
posted by MuChao at 8:52 AM on October 17, 2009
I've read conflicting studies on the affect of sun and cancer...
some say sun exposure increases risk
some say sun exposure doesn't increase risk
and one study said it actually helps to cure it once you have it, published sometime this year, but I don't have a link
I guess what I'm saying is that it may not be necessary to wear sunscreen. At the same time it's better to be safe then sorry, so do what you feel is right.
posted by Sonic_Molson at 9:14 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
some say sun exposure increases risk
some say sun exposure doesn't increase risk
and one study said it actually helps to cure it once you have it, published sometime this year, but I don't have a link
I guess what I'm saying is that it may not be necessary to wear sunscreen. At the same time it's better to be safe then sorry, so do what you feel is right.
posted by Sonic_Molson at 9:14 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
I've read conflicting studies on the affect of sun and cancer...
some say sun exposure increases risk
some say sun exposure doesn't increase risk
and one study said it actually helps to cure it once you have it, published sometime this year, but I don't have a link
I do not believe that there is a reputable scientific study that shows that increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation is not an increased risk factor for skin cancer, or that ultraviolet radiation will help "cure" skin cancer. Claiming this without backing it up is highly irresponsible.
posted by grouse at 9:21 AM on October 17, 2009 [11 favorites]
some say sun exposure increases risk
some say sun exposure doesn't increase risk
and one study said it actually helps to cure it once you have it, published sometime this year, but I don't have a link
I do not believe that there is a reputable scientific study that shows that increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation is not an increased risk factor for skin cancer, or that ultraviolet radiation will help "cure" skin cancer. Claiming this without backing it up is highly irresponsible.
posted by grouse at 9:21 AM on October 17, 2009 [11 favorites]
A daily moisturizing is my best sunscreen. I get out of the shower and use Aveeno with SPF 15 or Kiss My Face with SPF 15--something like that--and put it on my face, neck, and lower arms and hands. It takes less than a minute.
This has been my routine for some time. I used this while living in Egypt and it protected me pretty much all day during walks outside in the blazingly bright sun.
A daily moisturizing can also help with anti-aging, so my mother assures me.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:51 AM on October 17, 2009
This has been my routine for some time. I used this while living in Egypt and it protected me pretty much all day during walks outside in the blazingly bright sun.
A daily moisturizing can also help with anti-aging, so my mother assures me.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:51 AM on October 17, 2009
I'm fair-skinned and a year-round sunblock wearer. I like spray-on sunscreen, and have had good luck with Neutrogena's cooling formula in the summer, and a Coppertone Sport lotion on exposed skin the rest of the year. I use a face-specific non-pore clogging sunscreen on my face to moisturize.
Everyone should wear sunscreen year-round, over your whole body in the summer and exposed areas the rest of the year. Make sure that you include the tops of your hands and feet, in between your fingers and toes, tops of your ears, scalp, and the back of your neck. Reapply frequently, depending on your activity - every 90 minutes if outdoors or sweating. While your body does need a certain amount of sun exposure during the day to process vitamin D, you almost certainly get enough to get by.
posted by honeybee413 at 9:56 AM on October 17, 2009
Everyone should wear sunscreen year-round, over your whole body in the summer and exposed areas the rest of the year. Make sure that you include the tops of your hands and feet, in between your fingers and toes, tops of your ears, scalp, and the back of your neck. Reapply frequently, depending on your activity - every 90 minutes if outdoors or sweating. While your body does need a certain amount of sun exposure during the day to process vitamin D, you almost certainly get enough to get by.
posted by honeybee413 at 9:56 AM on October 17, 2009
Putting on sunscreen on your face takes what, 30 seconds? You're not able to accomodate that into your morning routine even though you're much more likely to get cancer? That's stupid. Add a fourth step into your morning routine: wash face, brush teeth, apply mascara, save yourself from cancer.
My wife, who is super fair, had skin cancer last summer. On her face. On her lip. It had to be cut out. She's "cured" of this incident of cancer, but at a much higher risk of getting it again. She's used sunscreen for years, but the cancer was most likely from her childhood, before sunblock existed in high strengths. It was not fun. It totally sucked. She still has a scar that she's super self conscious about. There was a lot of pain for months after the surgery and she couldn't really eat for about a week or two. In fact, the scar still hurts her quite a bit sometimes and it's been about a year.
She swears by the Neutrogena products. I guess their additives are the most stable, although she likes the Aveeno as well. We tried a version by Target, but I don't like the consistency and it runs into my eyes a little.
Also, you can get sun protective clothes (like coolibar, but sadly they mostly look pretty dorky. In the spring and summer, wear a hat with a large brim, at least 4 inches.
A white cotton t shirt gives you an SPF of 5 when it's dry. When it's wet, that drops to close to zero. You can also get some sunscreen powder that you put in with your laundry.
Don't forget to reapply your sunblock periodically when you're outside or going outside. An application is only good for about 4 hours. You should wear it on your face in the winter.
Good luck.
posted by reddot at 9:59 AM on October 17, 2009
My wife, who is super fair, had skin cancer last summer. On her face. On her lip. It had to be cut out. She's "cured" of this incident of cancer, but at a much higher risk of getting it again. She's used sunscreen for years, but the cancer was most likely from her childhood, before sunblock existed in high strengths. It was not fun. It totally sucked. She still has a scar that she's super self conscious about. There was a lot of pain for months after the surgery and she couldn't really eat for about a week or two. In fact, the scar still hurts her quite a bit sometimes and it's been about a year.
She swears by the Neutrogena products. I guess their additives are the most stable, although she likes the Aveeno as well. We tried a version by Target, but I don't like the consistency and it runs into my eyes a little.
Also, you can get sun protective clothes (like coolibar, but sadly they mostly look pretty dorky. In the spring and summer, wear a hat with a large brim, at least 4 inches.
A white cotton t shirt gives you an SPF of 5 when it's dry. When it's wet, that drops to close to zero. You can also get some sunscreen powder that you put in with your laundry.
Don't forget to reapply your sunblock periodically when you're outside or going outside. An application is only good for about 4 hours. You should wear it on your face in the winter.
Good luck.
posted by reddot at 9:59 AM on October 17, 2009
Response by poster:
posted by craichead at 10:16 AM on October 17, 2009
Putting on a wide brim hat is pretty easy.It's not, really. Do I wear it under my bike helmet? Do I forgo the bike helmet and wear the wide brimmed hat instead, and if so how do I secure the hat so it doesn't fall off when I'm zooming down hills? If I wear the helmet and carry the hat, how do I carry the hat so it doesn't get smooshed?
Putting on sunscreen on your face takes what, 30 seconds?I dunno. It feels like it takes longer than that, assuming I'm going to rub it in well enough to not feel greasy or have white residue on my face. Maybe I'll time it and see, just out of curiosity.
posted by craichead at 10:16 AM on October 17, 2009
I'm at an increased risk for skin cancer, too, and I also have large, colorful tattoos, so sunscreen is pretty important. I've found that the deciding factors in whether or not I'll wear sunscreen ever day are 1. How good the sunscreen smells. Hawaiian Tropic is the way to go. Smells like Malibu Barbie instead of sunscreen. 2. Where I keep the bottle. If you actually do manage to brush your teeth every day, put it right next to your toothbrush. Keep some in your purse, too, in case you forget.
For facial spf, I've recently discovered that the best thing to do is to use a facial powder with spf rather than moisturizers--everything else makes me break out. But then, I use powder every day regardless, so this one has been easy to remember.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 10:20 AM on October 17, 2009
For facial spf, I've recently discovered that the best thing to do is to use a facial powder with spf rather than moisturizers--everything else makes me break out. But then, I use powder every day regardless, so this one has been easy to remember.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 10:20 AM on October 17, 2009
The more you do it, the more it becomes routine and therefore becomes easy. You wouldn't leave the house without, say, brushing your teeth in the morning, right? Just like I now don't leave the house without sunscreen (or without brushing my teeth). It makes me feel weird when I forget it.
Basically, just make yourself build a habit, and it will become ingrained into your morning routine. It's very important -- think of it like your teeth. Maybe you should skip the mascara and do sunscreen instead. No one is going to notice your eyelashes looking a bit less plump. I'm not trying to be mean or snarky with this comment -- I used to hate the thought of putting on sunscreen too, but I just had to force myself to do it until it became a habit. And I'm lazy enough that I don't even bother with the mascara or the hairbrush or anything like that.
You might want to try thinking of it in other terms. If you wear mascara, that means to me that you're interested in how your eyelashes look. If you brush your teeth, that means that you are interested in having nice looking teeth and nice smelling breath and possibly the other things that teeth brushing promotes, like preventing heart disease. But it's probably the immediate benefits that give you a reason to brush your teeth daily. Don't you want your skin to look nice, every day? The number one way to protect your skin from sun spots and wrinkles (and yes, cancer) is to wear sunscreen.
posted by k8lin at 10:28 AM on October 17, 2009
Basically, just make yourself build a habit, and it will become ingrained into your morning routine. It's very important -- think of it like your teeth. Maybe you should skip the mascara and do sunscreen instead. No one is going to notice your eyelashes looking a bit less plump. I'm not trying to be mean or snarky with this comment -- I used to hate the thought of putting on sunscreen too, but I just had to force myself to do it until it became a habit. And I'm lazy enough that I don't even bother with the mascara or the hairbrush or anything like that.
You might want to try thinking of it in other terms. If you wear mascara, that means to me that you're interested in how your eyelashes look. If you brush your teeth, that means that you are interested in having nice looking teeth and nice smelling breath and possibly the other things that teeth brushing promotes, like preventing heart disease. But it's probably the immediate benefits that give you a reason to brush your teeth daily. Don't you want your skin to look nice, every day? The number one way to protect your skin from sun spots and wrinkles (and yes, cancer) is to wear sunscreen.
posted by k8lin at 10:28 AM on October 17, 2009
If you get the kind of sunscreen that says, "For Faces" it's not nearly as greasy as the regular kind. I hate sunscreen on my face, but can deal with this. It doesn't require as much rubbing, either, or go on quite so white. Mine doesn't actually say for faces, now that I look at it, it's "Banana Boat Sun Wear Daily sunblock lotion in SPF 50". It says "Ultra Sheer, Clean Feel." It's still a bit gross, but I can deal with it and I hate lotion to the extent that I will just deal with dry, peely skin rather than put moisturizer on.
posted by artychoke at 10:33 AM on October 17, 2009
posted by artychoke at 10:33 AM on October 17, 2009
Melanoma is much more heavily linked to genetic factors than other skin cancers, and so sun exposure is not necessarily a primary factor. Your family history and personal history (odd moles, changing moles, etc.) are much more indicative of your risk, though sun exposure doesn't necessarily help. Melanomas can and do occur anywhere, even areas with little or no sun exposure, and occur in different patterns on males and females. There is thought that the in-situ (and perhaps some "stage I") type lesions may be radically different in nature than the quickly-spreading, always deadly metastatic types - from what I recall, that they may or may not be more similar to a "routine" BCC/SCC type than the Cancer cancer of the latter. I've read that some persons predisposed to this sort of thing will have a few of the former come and go as the body naturally defends against them, without even noticing - some say the average person will have had 6-7 cancers without knowing by the end of their life.
There is no cut and dry opinion on this in the medical community today, and so even (non-cosmetic) dermatological specialists will usually stick to the safe line of minimizing your sun exposure, because to say anything else is unproven and risky when it comes to malpractice.
In any case, decreased sun exposure is a risk factor for prostate cancer (non-production of vitamin D), though you don't seem to need to worry about that. :) My personal feeling is that I use a moisturizer on my face every day with SPF15 (UVA/UVB), use protection if I'm going to be doing outside activities, and see a derm every 6-12 months for checkups on changes. If you are the type to have many moles of many different shapes and sizes, you could probably remove a handful and find SOMETHING "odd" at this point, but the odds are very very good that it would never be a problem. Changes are key - the minute something on your skin changes, get yourself to a dermatologist that specializes in skin cancer for a screening, and don't let them put the appointment off for months as they tend to try to do. See one every 6-12 months regardless, also.
Sunblock is a whole other beast of a question - in summary, UVA tends to be best for cancer prevention, UVB for aging, and there's a lot of variables in what physical (Ti/Zinc) filters and what chemical (salicylates, Ecamsule, et al) do what. Any of the Ecamsule (Mexoryl) ones are best, now that they're legal here - less side-effects than the previous generations, last longer, filter better, etc.
Don't tan, enjoy the outdoors, and don't let this scare you out of the sun.
posted by kcm at 10:36 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
There is no cut and dry opinion on this in the medical community today, and so even (non-cosmetic) dermatological specialists will usually stick to the safe line of minimizing your sun exposure, because to say anything else is unproven and risky when it comes to malpractice.
In any case, decreased sun exposure is a risk factor for prostate cancer (non-production of vitamin D), though you don't seem to need to worry about that. :) My personal feeling is that I use a moisturizer on my face every day with SPF15 (UVA/UVB), use protection if I'm going to be doing outside activities, and see a derm every 6-12 months for checkups on changes. If you are the type to have many moles of many different shapes and sizes, you could probably remove a handful and find SOMETHING "odd" at this point, but the odds are very very good that it would never be a problem. Changes are key - the minute something on your skin changes, get yourself to a dermatologist that specializes in skin cancer for a screening, and don't let them put the appointment off for months as they tend to try to do. See one every 6-12 months regardless, also.
Sunblock is a whole other beast of a question - in summary, UVA tends to be best for cancer prevention, UVB for aging, and there's a lot of variables in what physical (Ti/Zinc) filters and what chemical (salicylates, Ecamsule, et al) do what. Any of the Ecamsule (Mexoryl) ones are best, now that they're legal here - less side-effects than the previous generations, last longer, filter better, etc.
Don't tan, enjoy the outdoors, and don't let this scare you out of the sun.
posted by kcm at 10:36 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
More on sunblocks. Here's the most useful line:
"A good broad-spectrum sunscreen should contain avobenzone, ecamsule (Mexoryl), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for significant UVA protection."
posted by kcm at 10:40 AM on October 17, 2009
"A good broad-spectrum sunscreen should contain avobenzone, ecamsule (Mexoryl), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for significant UVA protection."
posted by kcm at 10:40 AM on October 17, 2009
Not trying to be a jerk, but sincerely, what are you hoping to hear?
Sun exposure is correlated to cancer, and the preventative solution available is what it is. If you're too lazy, then you're too lazy; otherwise, work a solution into your routine and stick to it. If you can't be bothered to wake up 3 minutes earlier so that you can not get cancer, your fellow MeFites probably won't have an answer, either.
posted by ellF at 10:51 AM on October 17, 2009
Sun exposure is correlated to cancer, and the preventative solution available is what it is. If you're too lazy, then you're too lazy; otherwise, work a solution into your routine and stick to it. If you can't be bothered to wake up 3 minutes earlier so that you can not get cancer, your fellow MeFites probably won't have an answer, either.
posted by ellF at 10:51 AM on October 17, 2009
A little followup on my introductory phrases as well as some other comments in the thread: it's not to say that sun exposure is not a risk factor, but it's likely a much smaller risk factor than some others, and the risk factors are multiplicative: if you've had a family member with malignant melanoma, any others with dysplastic nevus syndrome (lots and lots of moles with odd characteristics, basically), and you yourself have a good number of moles or even DNS, your risk could be 100% even without UV factored in. UV primarily promotes growth of these lesions, which in turn can be a primary site for the melanoma to form.
Dysplastic nevus
Dysplastic nevus syndrome
More on DNs + MM
posted by kcm at 10:57 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
Dysplastic nevus
Dysplastic nevus syndrome
More on DNs + MM
posted by kcm at 10:57 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
My bike helmet has a brim on the front to shield the sun of my face. I have seen another bike commuter in my town who wears a brimmed sun hat under her helmet. You could get something like this hat to wear under your helmet. It doesn't look too dorky and it looks like you could throw it in your bag for storage.
If you don't already, you should get a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection to protect the skin around your eyes. My dad is fair skinned & spent a lot of time in the sun as a boy and young man and is now, in his early 60s, having a lot of problems due to sun damage on his face. The skin around his eyes is so damaged, sagging and wrinkled that it was affecting his vision and he had to have an eyelid tuck so he could see properly. So in addition to cancer risks, keep in mind the other damage that the sun can do.
I have used Oil of Olay UV Defense (SPF 15) on my face and neck every day for years. I just slather on a crap load of it after I wash my face in the morning and let it soak in while I eat breakfast. One thing to remember, is that our arms and faces get a lot of exposure to the sun when we are riding in cars, so don't forget the sunscreen if you are in the car a lot.
posted by pluckysparrow at 10:59 AM on October 17, 2009
If you don't already, you should get a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection to protect the skin around your eyes. My dad is fair skinned & spent a lot of time in the sun as a boy and young man and is now, in his early 60s, having a lot of problems due to sun damage on his face. The skin around his eyes is so damaged, sagging and wrinkled that it was affecting his vision and he had to have an eyelid tuck so he could see properly. So in addition to cancer risks, keep in mind the other damage that the sun can do.
I have used Oil of Olay UV Defense (SPF 15) on my face and neck every day for years. I just slather on a crap load of it after I wash my face in the morning and let it soak in while I eat breakfast. One thing to remember, is that our arms and faces get a lot of exposure to the sun when we are riding in cars, so don't forget the sunscreen if you are in the car a lot.
posted by pluckysparrow at 10:59 AM on October 17, 2009
Response by poster:
posted by craichead at 10:59 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
Not trying to be a jerk, but sincerely, what are you hoping to hear?Spray-on sunscreen was a good suggestion. Spraying it on my hands and rubbing it on my face sounds doable and hadn't occurred to me. I like the idea of SPF powder, although I googled and found an article that suggests that it doesn't work very well. However, the article suggested wearing SPF powder over sunscreen lotion, which might work. (I'm not adverse to lotion. I'm adverse to spending five minutes rubbing it in so it doesn't feel like I'm wearing mayonnaise on my face.)
Not trying to be a jerk, but sincerely, what are you hoping to hear?It must be really awesome to be able to sound like a jerk without even trying!
posted by craichead at 10:59 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
Adding 30 seconds of moisturizer with spf-15 to your morning routine is super easy, and your face will probably thank you for the moisture if you're riding around in the wind and elements. If you put deoderant on, this is about as long as that takes to add the moisture step. I use Oil of Olay sensitive skin stuff, which doesn't feel greasy, rubs in easy, and a bottle lasts a long time- a little goes a long way, and using about a nickel sized dollop gives me good face coverage without a lot of annoying rubbing in. Extra goop gets deposited on neck and upper chest and de-goops hands. My morning routine: brush hair, moisturize face, swipe on deoderant, clean glasses. Done in about 2 minutes. Before that: turn shower on, brush teeth while waiting for the water to heat up. More time saved! The spray-on suggestion for arm/leg sunscreen is the best bet for that.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 11:03 AM on October 17, 2009
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 11:03 AM on October 17, 2009
Sunscreen, staying low maintenance and cycling places is not an unbearable burden.
I'm a low maintenance woman who rarely even puts on mascara, but I make sure that I wear sunscreen before I go out, whether I'm walking, cycling or taking transit. Yes, even on cloudy fall and winter days, because both melanoma and squamous cell cancer have hit my family.
I just got back from a 30 km bike ride (dentist, shopping, stuff). I showered last night and let my hair dry before I got to bed because I didn't want to wake up early just to dry it. After breakfast this morning, I washed my face and put on a moisturizer with 30 SPF while my face was still a bit damp. I let it soak in while I brushed my teeth. I took a second look after I brush my teeth, but as usual, there was nothing extra to rub in. If I'm going to expose any other skin, I put 30SPF or 50SPF on them instead of moisturizer.
Then I grabbed my cycling gear (including my helmet with a built-in visor, although there are also all sorts of cute options out there with removable cloth caps with visors, which may keep you extra warm in winter) and went out. Done!
(On preview: I use the same moisturizer banjo_and_the_pork_does. Moisturizer != mayo, honest! And if you ever do wear makeup, a good mineral foundation takes about a minute to apply, goes on well over this moisturizer, and adds even more SPF. )
posted by maudlin at 11:13 AM on October 17, 2009
I'm a low maintenance woman who rarely even puts on mascara, but I make sure that I wear sunscreen before I go out, whether I'm walking, cycling or taking transit. Yes, even on cloudy fall and winter days, because both melanoma and squamous cell cancer have hit my family.
I just got back from a 30 km bike ride (dentist, shopping, stuff). I showered last night and let my hair dry before I got to bed because I didn't want to wake up early just to dry it. After breakfast this morning, I washed my face and put on a moisturizer with 30 SPF while my face was still a bit damp. I let it soak in while I brushed my teeth. I took a second look after I brush my teeth, but as usual, there was nothing extra to rub in. If I'm going to expose any other skin, I put 30SPF or 50SPF on them instead of moisturizer.
Then I grabbed my cycling gear (including my helmet with a built-in visor, although there are also all sorts of cute options out there with removable cloth caps with visors, which may keep you extra warm in winter) and went out. Done!
(On preview: I use the same moisturizer banjo_and_the_pork_does. Moisturizer != mayo, honest! And if you ever do wear makeup, a good mineral foundation takes about a minute to apply, goes on well over this moisturizer, and adds even more SPF. )
posted by maudlin at 11:13 AM on October 17, 2009
Here are two simple things to help when biking in the summer.
1. Get a helmet with a brim on it, it will shade some of your face.
2. Get a handkerchief and tie it around your neck so it covers the back of your neck - this is where the worst burns usually happen. On really hot days, you can moisten it and it will keep you cool.
posted by PercussivePaul at 11:51 AM on October 17, 2009
1. Get a helmet with a brim on it, it will shade some of your face.
2. Get a handkerchief and tie it around your neck so it covers the back of your neck - this is where the worst burns usually happen. On really hot days, you can moisten it and it will keep you cool.
posted by PercussivePaul at 11:51 AM on October 17, 2009
Some facial suncscreens are more liquidy than others, and I find that these absorb into my skin much faster (less rubbing) which may cut down on your morning routine. I use La-Roche Posay -- it's expensive. Banana Boat makes a spray/liquid that is really fast absorbing, and it's much, much cheaper (not hugely into the smell, though YMMV).
Also, if you want more information on protection from skin cancer, Fresh Air did a program on it this past summer. It's worth a listen -- there are different kinds of skin cancers, some are caused more by genetic factors, and some more by environmental ones. The one thing I learned is that for sunblocks to truly work, you have to reapply again during the day if you're going outside later, or it won't be effective. Which seems kind of against your lazy streak.
posted by bluefly at 11:52 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Also, if you want more information on protection from skin cancer, Fresh Air did a program on it this past summer. It's worth a listen -- there are different kinds of skin cancers, some are caused more by genetic factors, and some more by environmental ones. The one thing I learned is that for sunblocks to truly work, you have to reapply again during the day if you're going outside later, or it won't be effective. Which seems kind of against your lazy streak.
posted by bluefly at 11:52 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Response by poster:
posted by craichead at 11:58 AM on October 17, 2009
Get a handkerchief and tie it around your neck so it covers the back of your neck - this is where the worst burns usually happen.Oooh. I didn't even think about the back of my neck! I think I'll just spray it with the spray sunscreen, but thanks for bringing it up.
it's expensive.Expensive is actually ok, within reason. An expensive thing that I'll use is better than an inexpensive thing that I won't use.
Which seems kind of against your lazy streak.I'm a lot lazier in the morning, so if I remember to bring it to work, I will probably be ok with reapplying before I cycle home.
posted by craichead at 11:58 AM on October 17, 2009
Okay, as a woman, I suggest you get the Solumbra catalog. Not much in there for men, unfortunately for me, but there's a lot of pleasant-looking things you can wear to protect yourself. They make clothes out of a special lightweight fabric which blocks a lot of UV.
Another thing to know is that most sunscreen in the US protects against UVB, not UVA. That SPF rating is for UVB. UVA ... not so much. You have to shop around quite a bit to get solid UVA protection. It's expensive, too.
You can also put UV-proof tint on your car (if you have one) for when you do drive. You can call the highway patrol for information as to legality, but they have were, ah, to put it mildly, total jerks when I asked. You can buy a tint that is almost height on your windshield; this depends on your state. I said "to hell with it" and covered my entire windshield in it. This is not legal, but I don't stay up at night worrying about how I'm defying the law; I'm more worried about not being all scarred and whatnot. The police have never picked up on this fact. I put a dark tint on the side and the nearly-clear stuff on the front. Getting pulled over, the officer noticed the side stuff (just barely legal) and, due to the contrast, never even thought to check the front.
I am not sure how I would deal with the bike thing, I get twitchy just thinking about it.
posted by adipocere at 12:22 PM on October 17, 2009
Another thing to know is that most sunscreen in the US protects against UVB, not UVA. That SPF rating is for UVB. UVA ... not so much. You have to shop around quite a bit to get solid UVA protection. It's expensive, too.
You can also put UV-proof tint on your car (if you have one) for when you do drive. You can call the highway patrol for information as to legality, but they have were, ah, to put it mildly, total jerks when I asked. You can buy a tint that is almost height on your windshield; this depends on your state. I said "to hell with it" and covered my entire windshield in it. This is not legal, but I don't stay up at night worrying about how I'm defying the law; I'm more worried about not being all scarred and whatnot. The police have never picked up on this fact. I put a dark tint on the side and the nearly-clear stuff on the front. Getting pulled over, the officer noticed the side stuff (just barely legal) and, due to the contrast, never even thought to check the front.
I am not sure how I would deal with the bike thing, I get twitchy just thinking about it.
posted by adipocere at 12:22 PM on October 17, 2009
I have another suggestion that is sort of out of the scope of your question but is still relevant. You may already be doing this, but see a dermatologist once a year. You can't always assess changes in your skin, especially on hard to see places like your scalp and back, but they have tools and methods for doing this. It's not very expensive, it doesn't take very long, and it's well worth the peace of mind.
posted by k8lin at 12:32 PM on October 17, 2009
posted by k8lin at 12:32 PM on October 17, 2009
Response by poster:
Luckily, until further notice I can still breath freely about my prostate cancer and testicular cancer risk!
posted by craichead at 12:46 PM on October 17, 2009
I have another suggestion that is sort of out of the scope of your question but is still relevant. You may already be doing this, but see a dermatologist once a year.My dad's dermatologist actually said I should go every six months from here on out. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor next week to get a referral to a dermatologist. I'd actually never given this very much thought before now. I'm pretty fair, but I tend to tan and not burn, and I never really thought I had to worry about skin cancer. Breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, sure. But I thought I was ok for skin cancer.
Luckily, until further notice I can still breath freely about my prostate cancer and testicular cancer risk!
posted by craichead at 12:46 PM on October 17, 2009
I'm not adverse to lotion. I'm adverse to spending five minutes rubbing it in so it doesn't feel like I'm wearing mayonnaise on my face.
I'm the same way; I can't stand greasy sunscreen. The one lotion that I've really liked is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch, SPF 35. (I've found the higher SPFs like 50 get a bit thick and gunky and don't rub in well; the 35 seems to be the sweet spot of good protection but quick to put on and leaves your face feeling a bit powdery, rather than sticky.)
posted by iminurmefi at 2:24 PM on October 17, 2009
I'm the same way; I can't stand greasy sunscreen. The one lotion that I've really liked is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch, SPF 35. (I've found the higher SPFs like 50 get a bit thick and gunky and don't rub in well; the 35 seems to be the sweet spot of good protection but quick to put on and leaves your face feeling a bit powdery, rather than sticky.)
posted by iminurmefi at 2:24 PM on October 17, 2009
My experience is that moisturizer with sunscreen feels a lot like lotion going on, not like thick sunscreen you'd put on at the beach.
I started to time it this morning--basically, how long it took to pump out the moisturizer and apply it to my face, neck, and hands--and I finished so quickly it wasn't worth timing.
Buy some nice-ish moisturizer with sunscreen. I don't think you'll find it all that difficult at all.
posted by bluedaisy at 3:38 PM on October 17, 2009
I started to time it this morning--basically, how long it took to pump out the moisturizer and apply it to my face, neck, and hands--and I finished so quickly it wasn't worth timing.
Buy some nice-ish moisturizer with sunscreen. I don't think you'll find it all that difficult at all.
posted by bluedaisy at 3:38 PM on October 17, 2009
My mom is being treated for malignant melanoma, more than five years after having that mole removed...it's scary. I've been going to the dermatologist twice a year and keeping an eye on my own birthmarks and moles. I definitely wear a hat (bald, so I'd do that anyway), make sure I don't get sunburned, don't try to get a tan, and use an SPF 15 moisturizer on my face every morning (takes seconds; Kiehl's doesn't feel greasy at all). Otherwise, I don't go to extraordinary lengths to limit my sun exposure...for some of the reasons expressed above. Then again, I live in the PNW so it's not all that difficult to avoid the sun most of the year. Just bought my mom some Will Ferrell's Sexy Hot Tan SPF 30 to keep her spirits up. Best wishes to your pops.
posted by bennett being thrown at 3:50 PM on October 17, 2009
posted by bennett being thrown at 3:50 PM on October 17, 2009
banjo_and_the_pork: "Adding 30 seconds of moisturizer with spf-15 to your morning routine is super easy
My dermatologist told me that you need at least SPF 45. The 15 that is supposedly in moisturizer doesn't do much.
posted by radioamy at 5:20 PM on October 17, 2009
My dermatologist told me that you need at least SPF 45. The 15 that is supposedly in moisturizer doesn't do much.
posted by radioamy at 5:20 PM on October 17, 2009
You might want to invest some time/money into finding a sunscreen that you like. The ones "for face" are usually less greasy. I like Neutrogena and Aveeno. Fluffing on some loose powder after will help it stay dry too.
And since you're on a bike, don't forget the back of your neck and your ears!
posted by radioamy at 5:22 PM on October 17, 2009
And since you're on a bike, don't forget the back of your neck and your ears!
posted by radioamy at 5:22 PM on October 17, 2009
Just seconding kcm. This is not only about sun exposure. Martyring yourself with a troublesome morning routine is not a total answer -- you need to be monitoring your moles (a digital camera may help) while looking after your general health, which does include getting adequate sunlight. Defending against relatively weak morning sun may not bring much gain.
posted by Idcoytco at 5:52 PM on October 17, 2009
posted by Idcoytco at 5:52 PM on October 17, 2009
Seconding all the advice about wearing sunscreen and a hat. But for weekends, when you're out and about and want extra protection without having to wear long sleeves, consider carrying a parasol. I have one from Thailand that's opaque and black with gold patterns on top. It looks nice and it's big enough to block the sun from most of my upper body. I still wear sunscreen, though.
Also, unless your shoes completely cover your feet, you need to wear sunscreen there, too.
posted by embrangled at 6:57 PM on October 17, 2009
Also, unless your shoes completely cover your feet, you need to wear sunscreen there, too.
posted by embrangled at 6:57 PM on October 17, 2009
I want to second Neutrogena's spray-on sunscreen (with helioplex). it's *so* quick and easy, and smells lovely. and as my sister granted would say, it's photostable, which means it doesn't break down in a couple hours like other brands. the Target designer impostor works great too.
posted by changeling at 9:07 PM on October 17, 2009
posted by changeling at 9:07 PM on October 17, 2009
First: product recommendation. I'm not sure whether it's sold in the US, but Banana Boat sell a sunscreen range called Powder-Dri in Australia. I hate the name, but boy do I like their product. It really is a non-greasy sunscreen, and absorbs completely in about 1 minute. They have a sport version of the Powder-Dri, and works well with sweaty ladies like myself. I'm quite pale and have spent years trying to find a product I am more than willing to slather on myself.
Second: tips. Make putting sunscreen on part of your leaving routine. I always have to touch my keys before I walk out the door, and is a routine that has stopped me locking myself out of my house. If you put a small container of sunscreen next to where your keys are, the 1 minute spent rubbing your sunscreen in here would be great.
A shirt with a collar, or a scarf around your neck will help to cut down considerably on your greatest sun exposure while riding.
Hope you find something that works for you. You seem to be at least keen to find a solution, so ignore the knockers, and plow through those times you still forget to put it on.
posted by chronic sublime at 3:41 AM on October 18, 2009
Second: tips. Make putting sunscreen on part of your leaving routine. I always have to touch my keys before I walk out the door, and is a routine that has stopped me locking myself out of my house. If you put a small container of sunscreen next to where your keys are, the 1 minute spent rubbing your sunscreen in here would be great.
A shirt with a collar, or a scarf around your neck will help to cut down considerably on your greatest sun exposure while riding.
Hope you find something that works for you. You seem to be at least keen to find a solution, so ignore the knockers, and plow through those times you still forget to put it on.
posted by chronic sublime at 3:41 AM on October 18, 2009
Skin cancer in my family too. Also a biking to work person. Also a woman who cannot be bothered with makeup. In my case it might be lipstick on the odd day.
I had my "Ah, I am an adult!" moment when I realized that, somehow, putting on sunscreen every single morning was just...something I do. Right after I brush my teeth. I use whatever I can get on sale as my current tube is runnin low. I tend to go for the higher SPF than just a 15, (ahem, I like 45 for some reason.)
Don't forget to put it on your ears.
posted by bilabial at 5:17 AM on October 18, 2009
I had my "Ah, I am an adult!" moment when I realized that, somehow, putting on sunscreen every single morning was just...something I do. Right after I brush my teeth. I use whatever I can get on sale as my current tube is runnin low. I tend to go for the higher SPF than just a 15, (ahem, I like 45 for some reason.)
Don't forget to put it on your ears.
posted by bilabial at 5:17 AM on October 18, 2009
Radioamy- I won't argue against higher spf, but I am pale to the point of near translucency, and burn ridiculously easily, and my spf-15 face stuff has kept me burn-free through long summer days in the sun. I'm sure there are extra bad rays getting through doing damage I can't see, but if it's a question of no sunscreen or spf-15, I figure 15 is better than nothing.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 4:35 PM on October 18, 2009
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 4:35 PM on October 18, 2009
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posted by kellyblah at 8:38 AM on October 17, 2009