What is your SPF?
 

Since I've been outside for several hours a day in the unshaded sun lately, I was just wondering what SPF in your sunscreen usually works for you all. (or what you normally use when you do go outside for long periods of time)

I'm super fair-skinned, unfortunately. For example: I use SPF 50 before band, then I reapply at lunch, (and today I re-reapplied on my left arm (the one that is usually in the sun the longest)) Yet I still burn like nobody's business. I don't really know what else to do though.

Anyway, which SPF usually works for you? (hopefully nobody is as unlucky as me with burning.)

I had the same problem as you during band camp. I put SPF 50 on before band camp, during a water break, and after lunch yet I was still blistered. It was so funny coming home the last day of band camp and having sundurn on my left hand down(I play flute so that arm gets the most sun.)

I generaly have a hard time not getting burnt. Now, I just always bring aloe during band camp. It cools me off for awhile and everyone always seems to borrow it. Sorry I can't be of more help.

i dono, actualy. i tend to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. when i do get out in the sun, i tan pretty quickly (as i'm usualy a pasty white), but i don't burn all that easily. so if i had to guess i think i'd just be regular old SPF 15.

I use SPF shirt. As in I wear long shirts alot. In California heat. Central Vally. 120 degrees in the shade. My friends think i cant feel heat btw...

REMINDER! Dermatoligists (Skin doctors) say that anything lower then SPF 45 is useless! The higher the SPF the better. So that SPF 15 you have? Worthless. Spend some more cash and protect your skin. Melanoma is pretty sick.

I usually dont' use spf at all, but if It's really really sunny and I'm going to be outdoors all day, I use a minimum of SPF 15. If you don't get a little sunlight everynow and then, how can you build up a tolerance for it?

I have to second Salookanana on the long sleeve shirt thing. I worked on metal roves this summer, so I can say from experience that this works very well. The best kind are well-worn men's dress shirts, you know, the ones that button up in the front. Just don't button closed the ends of the sleeves and don't tuck it into your pants (assuming you can have your shirt un-tucked at practice) and you'll get decent ventilation. The good-will store is an excellent place to buy some for cheap if you don't have any old ones that you don't mind perspiring in. I hope you see this before you go to practice today, and good luck with the sunburn.

by _mike (cause Phil's asleep and wouldn't know anything about working outside anyway)

What's this about anything under 45 being useless? SPF 30 works fine for me. Always has. And why do they sell so many different strengths of sunscreen?

I do not tan. I burn. I go straight from pale to burned with no tan in between. This is probably a direct result of spending so much time in my basement... like I am right now.

I don't use sunblock, but it's wierd to me - I'm not tanned really, or all that fair skinned, yet somehow I never tan, never burn. I guess I'm heat resistant or something.


Author's sidenote: I've had one sunburn ever...coincidentally, it's the only time I got a tan too.

I don't use SPF. I find that wearing a long sleeves and pants protects me from the sun, plus my natural complexion. Of course, I know that can be hot for some people, but wearing loose clothes makes wearing all that cooler.

Generally, I use the highest I can get my hands on, generally somewhere in the range of 30-50.

I generally don't sunburn that much...unless I miss a spot that usually doesn't get much sun. An example being when my family went river rafting down in Moab, Utah one year. I must of put the sunscreen on while standing up, because I didn't cover the parts of my legs that were covered by my shorts when standing up, but not when sitting down.

Three hours later, I have a wicked sunburn on my upper legs. Made it painful to walk. So, later that day, while my family is out hiking around Arches National Park, I'm stuck in the motel room, putting ice and cold washcloths on my legs, while watching Tremors 2.

Yeah...that sunburn sucked.