Well, it's that time again...

[conuly]

Time when certain people attempt to tan.

You do need some sunlight to synthesise vitamin D so you don't get rickets, but half an hour three days a week should be fine, more if you're dark skinned, less if you're near the equator. If you want to tan, just remember this statement:

A tan is nothing but a mild sunburn, and a sunburn is only a low-grade radiation burn.

So, now that you've thought about it:

1. Sunscreen should go on half an hour before you leave the house.

2. You should remember the part of your hair, or bald spot.

3. Don't neglect your lips, that's why they sell lip balms with an SPF 15.

4. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen after sweating or going in the water, even if it's waterproof.

5. Avoid the sun around noon. That's a few hours BEFORE and AFTER noon.

6. Opaque clothing has a slight SPF factor. Lighter fabrics don't. Nobody will know if you put the sunscreen on under your clothing.

Comments

[stejcruetekie.livejournal.com]

And if you're going to tan, at least go for the *real* tan. The fake orange stuff is immediately obvious, and it's an immediate turn-off.

[takaal.livejournal.com]

And hats. Hats that cover the ears and nose (from a shade perspective); ears are key, and an alarming number of skin cancers start on unprotected ears... Polarized sunshades/sunglasses should also be in the bag-o-tricks... you can burn your eyes, too!

[conuly]

Yes, I forgot. Sunglasses protect against cataracts.

[xiggaroo.livejournal.com]

I have this argument with Allyson - she insists on going outside and laying on the patio in the sun to get "a base tan." What? Sorry, to me that sound on par with "you have to defrost that hamburger before you grill it."

[neurotica0.livejournal.com]

Also, people should be aware that hormonal birth control can cause sun sensitivity. It can cause a person to react entirely differently to the sun than what they would expect. (I found this out the hard way.)

[conuly]

That I did not know. Thank you.

[stejcruetekie.livejournal.com]

And if you're going to tan, at least go for the *real* tan. The fake orange stuff is immediately obvious, and it's an immediate turn-off.

[takaal.livejournal.com]

And hats. Hats that cover the ears and nose (from a shade perspective); ears are key, and an alarming number of skin cancers start on unprotected ears... Polarized sunshades/sunglasses should also be in the bag-o-tricks... you can burn your eyes, too!

[conuly]

Yes, I forgot. Sunglasses protect against cataracts.

[xiggaroo.livejournal.com]

I have this argument with Allyson - she insists on going outside and laying on the patio in the sun to get "a base tan." What? Sorry, to me that sound on par with "you have to defrost that hamburger before you grill it."

[neurotica0.livejournal.com]

Also, people should be aware that hormonal birth control can cause sun sensitivity. It can cause a person to react entirely differently to the sun than what they would expect. (I found this out the hard way.)

[conuly]

That I did not know. Thank you.