[*~aurora~*]

What are your tips and tricks??? Here's my list so far (after all, spring break is only 2 or 3 weeks away!!!):

SPF 30 neutrogena sunblock with titanium oxides!!! The physical barrier should be more protective.

max cover concealer from aromaleigh where the sunblock can't go-- eyelids, for example.

mega strength sunglasses, of course.

Ok, I'm actually thinking about getting a wet/diving suit like this one:

http://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/page/WW/PROD/777-XA832WB-44

It might also be handy for splashing in the colder water, especially with gloves, for those with raynauds.

Any other handy tips before hitting the beach this summer?

 

[Katharine]

Hi there,

The beach, indeed any "open" space without shade is a very real danger zone for me.

I have to go with over 50 spf and as covered as humanly possible. If I lived elsewhere a burkha might actually be useful :lol: Wish they'd become fashionable here!

I once got second degree burns from less than 10 minutes exposure. I am very very careful now.

The Australian, cover-all swim suits are a great idea, don't know if that's what you linked to?

Not much use on this one am I, just the word beach fills me with fear... thankfully hubby is not a sun seeker!

Katharine

 

[*~aurora~*]

I'm sorry to hear about your burns! I don't burn easy at all, though I thought I did-- turns out it's just this silly rash. I also get so... just, blah feeling after a lot of sun... tired and sick and my joints hurt so so so bad!

Don't forget big hats! ^_^

I linked to a full wetsuit. however, if you want something cheaper, check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300080636461

They're made of lycra, not neoprene, so they're less warm but they still give you the UV protection. Couple that with some beach shoes, scuba gloves, hat, sunglasses, and sun block and you might be set.

 

[Lily]

Hi

There are some excellent sun protection swimsuits available that are lightweight and fairly cool compared to the traditional 'wetsuits':

http://www.stingray.com.au/products/default.asp?intCatID=4

Here in Australia we have the highest skin cancer rates in the world because of our UV rate..............sad but true, so they have lots of these sorts of things available.

Apart from that you seem to have most things covered! I noticed on that site too that there are sun protection driving sleeves too which are a good idea.

I have problems despite protection so you will usually find me in the the shade and away from reflected UV rays too :hehe:

Happy summer to you................last week we were sweltering here with record breaking temperatures and those tragic bushfires. This week (where I live anyway) there has been a lot of rain and it's been fairly cool, well cold one night!! I had the heating on Bizarre climate changes

love
Lily

 

[greenhaggis]

Oh I'm having such a laugh with images sunning myself round the poolside in Mallorca (this coming June), dressed like a scuba diver!

Whilst all other lady holidayers will be wearing beautifully coloured feminine costumes!

All ready trying to figure out how to get enough suncream in my hand luggage as thats all were taking (hand luggage that is lol ) - no check in as too much hassle for many reasons!

 

[*~aurora~*]

hey, we'll be the ones looking all sporty! ^_^ I intend to attempt to use my bodyboard. Not that too many other people will likely be out there, especially when i muster up the funds to go to Negril beach Jamaica, but hey...

This surfer has inspired me to learn how to surf when I make my first full/mostly remission:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-teach-your-dog-to-surf

do y'all have the same restriction on liquids that we do? You might have to buy some as needed when you get where you're going. Do you have the barrier sunblock (vs. chemical) over there? That really seems to be the best for me...

ETA: DON'T FORGET THE LIP PROTECTION!!! Get a good lip balm with spf. I'll probably mix my mineral concealer with lip balm.

 

[greenhaggis]

I use Sunsense Face 50 which I get on prescription, for my holidays I will requesting an all body Sunsense suncream on prescription too! Hoping that as its a prescription cream i'll be allowed to take more :lol:. Sunsense is an Australian suncream!

I won't like you be buying a surf suit as I get quite claustrophobic - and these tight fitting hard to get into suits would freak me out !

My kids use body surf suits in the UK as it can be quite cold in our seas lol , but they also get taken to a place by my cousin to Kneeboard and wakeboard - they like to look like cool dudes :wink2:.!

 

[*~aurora~*]

I like to look like a cool dudette sometimes myself. Like I said, I'm going to learn how to surf when I get a bit better.

 

[Utilisada]

Well Rachel, - You won't be short of young men offering you lessons if you appear in one of those 'wet suit thingies' !! - I am tempted to buy one myself !!

Dea x

 

[*~aurora~*]

:lol: I'd rather have a handsome young pup teaching me... but that's just me! and I think you definitely should if you can tolerate the sun at all... Going out on the beach would be so worth it right now, even if I got totally burned I think. XD I'm really pining for the beach lately. But I never burn, like ever (dark skin) so I guess that's easy for me to say.

 

[Utilisada]

Thankfully, I have never had any problems in the sun - I have dark hair and skin and just love to feel the sun on my body. - Unfortunately, my skin is just so inflamed, flakey, and ugly that I can't expose it when others are around so have to remain covered.

The good thing is, I recently saw the GP who gave me some different creams to use and the improvement is SO incredible that I feel I just 'may' be able to uncover at least my arms this summer (If summer ever comes!!!!!!!)

One step at a time!!

Dea x

 

[*~aurora~*]

do you have eczema too? Or psoriasis? I have body image issues (gee, who wouldn't with eczema and totally-not-my-fault weight gain?) so besides being an awesome sauce remedy to the sun issue it also keeps me covered and hopefully slim-looking. I got a new-with-tags wetsuit that will hopefully fit me for $26 on ebay... it's a large and I either wear L or XL, so we'll see? I may even be able to use the pool again if it's insulated enough... I think at this point I'm limited to "submerge... emerge..." but hey if I get goggles that sounds like a fricking good time to me!!!! :lol: Opening my eyes underwater... well, it may not be the beach but it'll tide me over til March 6!

 

[Utilisada]

Sort of Psoriasis for about 20 years, although it seems it may well have been Discoid Lupus all the time??

Nasty ugly just the same!!!!!!!!!

Dea x

 

[mary520]

I would tell anyone with lupus to stay away from the beach, even with sun screen..I went two summers yrs. in a row, before I was dx'ed and I am convinced it caused the disease to attack my CNS. I was so sick the last time I was at the beach that all felt up to doing was laying by the pool, soaking up the sun. By evening I couldn't even go with the family to eat...I would fall into bed, so exhuasted and achey. Little did I know the sun that felt so good to my achey joints was killing me. By fall of that year, I had so many symptoms and positive blood work that as soon as my mri's and blood test results came back, I was sent to a rheumy, who dx'ed me right away, and put me on meds.

Please, if you must go to the beach, stay indoor's till late evening...a little fun is not worth the risk to your health.

Mary

 

[*~aurora~*]

well, my CNS is already shot! ^_^ So I guess I don't have too much to worry about. Thanks for the advice, but I think with the black wetsuit I should be okay...

I'm a late sleeper anyways, so chances are I won't be up until 2 or 3 anyways.