52 replies to this topic

[SkyPuppet]

Its never to hot. and there is never enough sun, you people need to come to the middle east with me on the sand dunes. lots of wind, sun and as much sand as you want. Or as the Holy Scott Weider said in Tobago "when you dont have sun screen break open a coconut and use the meat"............ So I did and boy that was the worst banana boat sun screen i used lol ahahahah

Unfortunately, not too many natural sunscreens out there... Not ones that absorb into the skin nicely and last awhile, anyways.
But the aloe vera plant makes a great natural sunburn remedy!



Kiting on sand dunes sounds like good times!! Las Vegas is in the desert in a valley, makes for some tricky winds sometimes.

[fungus]

here in the UK last weekend it was 15c / 59f
so it was hot coffee in the morning, hot tea in the afternoon and hot chocolate before bed
a bit cool at night, there was ice on outside of the tent at 4 am ish

fungus

don't be mean share the sun

[SkyPuppet]

here in the UK last weekend it was 15c / 59f
so it was hot coffee in the morning, hot tea in the afternoon and hot chocolate before bed
a bit cool at night, there was ice on outside of the tent at 4 am ish

fungus

don't be mean share the sun

Muuuuhahahahahahaha! The Sun is MINE! ALLL MIINNEE!!

Fancy a trade? I'd love to see some of those clouds you're hoarding out there!

[stroke survivor]

Muuuuhahahahahahaha! The Sun is MINE! ALLL MIINNEE!!

Fancy a trade? I'd love to see some of those clouds you're hoarding out there!

As much rain and clouds as we've had, a trade sounds good about now!!!

[SkyPuppet]

As much rain and clouds as we've had, a trade sounds good about now!!!

Actually, Las Vegas has been unseasonably cool recently, with lots of cloud cover. And crazy gusty winds! I've had the vented out the last few days straight, and I'm starting to understand why more folks prize their vented Revs over the full-sail. I was flying on 75' lines, and I could hear a "hissing" sound coming from the vents, as all that extra and unwanted power dissipated (12-23 mph). Fantastic! And an amazingly smooth feel!

These cloudy days bring up an important point about UV rays and sunscreen. The rays that penetrate the clouds are frighteningly strong and very damaging to the skin. These UV rays are even stronger during spring and summer months, when the Earth is closer to the Sun. So, even when its cloudy out, make sure you are still covering up, or using sunscreen! And use it year-round if necessary - I do.

No, I don't work for the sunscreen companies

[fungus]

we had a warm spell in april, but temp is now back to normal so its feeling cold.
i burn easily so i use sunscreen april to october

fungus

[Scott_of_melnsct]

This is what I use on my face and ears. It's well worth the money. You don't need too much and it seems to last all day. I also put a little bit on my lips while I'm at it. Just the residue left on my finger after I apply to the rest of my face is enough to protect my lips.

A hat with a brim all the way around is a must as already stated, and good sunglasses as well. Mine are from Native Eyewear. They are not as expensive as Oakleys, and they are warranteed for life. Downside is that the darkest lens Native makes is not as dark, but 10% transmission is nothing to scoff at.

Drink lots of water ahead of time too. Proper hydration starts the day before

[SkyPuppet]

Neutrogena sunscreen gets a second recommendation from me! If you have sensitive skin, like I do, there is nothing better out there. My dermatologist recommends Neutrogena over even most prescription sunscreens (for people with sensitive skin).
To add to Scott_of_melnsct's point, proper hydration is the key to LIFE. Drink water like a !!

[MtnFlyer]

Having a kiter friend go through some pretty intense surgical procedures for skin cancer, and having some small pre-c spots removed myself, I thought I'd pass along the suggestions from my doc.

Sunscreen: Broad spectrum sunblock block both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the broadest available, now available in micronized (transparent) form so you won't look like the lifeguards' nose all over. Neutrogena Helioplex is a chemical broad spectrum sunscreen, a photo-stabilized version of avobenzone. All three block both UVA and UVB. SPF 30+ (I use 50 or 70 now). Reapply every two to four hours even on cloudy days

Lip balm: Again SPF 30+. Dermatone with zinc oxide recommended.

Hats: Wide brimmed all the way around. I use a Tilley LTM6 Airflo. No more ball caps for me.

Clothing: Not SPF but UPF rating of 30+ blocks 97% or more of UVA and UVB rays. Tee shirts are said to be around 5. Solumbra, Coolibar and Columbia are three brands with UPF ratings.

That's the summary. If you'd like her detailed writeup, send me a PM or email. Hope that helps.

[AldenMiler]

Having a kiter friend go through some pretty intense surgical procedures for skin cancer, and having some small pre-c spots removed myself, I thought I'd pass along the suggestions from my doc.

Sunscreen: Broad spectrum sunblock block both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the broadest available, now available in micronized (transparent) form so you won't look like the lifeguards' nose all over. Neutrogena Helioplex is a chemical broad spectrum sunscreen, a photo-stabilized version of avobenzone. All three block both UVA and UVB. SPF 30+ (I use 50 or 70 now). Reapply every two to four hours even on cloudy days

Lip balm: Again SPF 30+. Dermatone with zinc oxide recommended.

Hats: Wide brimmed all the way around. I use a Tilley LTM6 Airflo. No more ball caps for me.

Clothing: Not SPF but UPF rating of 30+ blocks 97% or more of UVA and UVB rays. Tee shirts are said to be around 5. Solumbra, Coolibar and Columbia are three brands with UPF ratings.

That's the summary. If you'd like her detailed writeup, send me a PM or email. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the detailed info. I didn't realize that T shirts were so low on the UV protective scale. I try to be good with SPF 50 and re-apply as the day goes on. I always seem to forget the lip balm though.

-Alden

[SkyPuppet]

Having a kiter friend go through some pretty intense surgical procedures for skin cancer, and having some small pre-c spots removed myself, I thought I'd pass along the suggestions from my doc.

Sunscreen: Broad spectrum sunblock block both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the broadest available, now available in micronized (transparent) form so you won't look like the lifeguards' nose all over. Neutrogena Helioplex is a chemical broad spectrum sunscreen, a photo-stabilized version of avobenzone. All three block both UVA and UVB. SPF 30+ (I use 50 or 70 now). Reapply every two to four hours even on cloudy days

Lip balm: Again SPF 30+. Dermatone with zinc oxide recommended.

Hats: Wide brimmed all the way around. I use a Tilley LTM6 Airflo. No more ball caps for me.

Clothing: Not SPF but UPF rating of 30+ blocks 97% or more of UVA and UVB rays. Tee shirts are said to be around 5. Solumbra, Coolibar and Columbia are three brands with UPF ratings.

That's the summary. If you'd like her detailed writeup, send me a PM or email. Hope that helps.

I hope you and your friend are experiencing full and speedy recoveries!
I have a friend with skin cancer, she has had 6 surgeries, each one removed a progressively larger piece of skin She is my inspiration for taking care of my own skin, and for starting this topic.

Thanks for bringing up how clothing is now rated with UPF factor. On top of checking the SPF and UPF ratings, try and pick darker color clothing made with tighter fabric weaves. Back in the day experts told us white clothing was the best way to go, but now they say a dark color works best, as it doesn't reflect light, and a tighter weave blocks the sun better and is a better insulator.

[--Pete]

Well, I just spent Friday under a mostly overcast sky with no sunscreen for my first exposure this year and got well-FRIED. I got a bottle of the Neutrogena SPF 100+ and hosed myself down well with it for Saturday and did not seem to increase the damage.

To be fair, this is my normal method for introducing my skin to the sun each year. I get a moderate burn one day, peel a bit over the next week and thereafter have no trouble with sunburn for the rest of the season. (This is not to say that there is no additional damage from sun exposure, just that I don't get an uncomfortable burn after that.) I can't wear tightly woven clothing; I have a tough enough time keeping cool with normal summer wear once the temperature goes above 70 degrees. I do try to stay in the shade except when doing things that can't be done there. Also shade doesn't help much at the beach or on the water - you get burned from the reflections.

Now, be warned, this may not be the best method. I've had two melanomas removed (about 10 years apart; both caught early) and now get a careful look-over two or three times a year by an expert. I attribute those melanomas to several extreme burns as a child and as a teen (50%+ of exposed skin covered in water-blisters). This seems to be a strong factor for melanoma development as an adult, but no-one knew this back in the 1940s and 1950s. If you were severely burned before age 20 or so, you do need to keep an eye out for melanomas - looking in unlikely places like under fingernails and inside of eyelids, not just where the skin got burned. Having an expert dermatologist give you an exam is a good idea. They know where to look and what to look for.

Even beach umbrellas and canopies have UPF ratings, so look for rated products. A hand-held UV detector, with a meter, and maybe even a totalizer, would be nice, too. Does anyone know if such a thing exists?

[Jeepster]

The weekend in Grand Haven reminded me of one other thing that can be done to prevent sunburn ... pick your parents wisely!!!!

Found a straw hat on the beach with a bandanna and large, long-sleeved iQuad shirt under it ... a funny British voice was heard to come from the middle of all those clothes. Seems Bazzer inherited some of the red headed genes from the early invaders of Great Britain. Then I looked over on another field to see Ben staring the sun down!!!! Can't say that I've ever seen him with a hat!! So, pick your parents more carefully next time and maybe you'll be a little more lucky with sun problems.

If I remember correctly, when -Pete was young suntan lotion was baby oil with a few drops of iodine added. In hind site, seems like we were simply basting the body during hours of cooking in the sun.

Cheers,
Tom

[SkyPuppet]

The weekend in Grand Haven reminded me of one other thing that can be done to prevent sunburn ... pick your parents wisely!!!!

Found a straw hat on the beach with a bandanna and large, long-sleeved iQuad shirt under it ... a funny British voice was heard to come from the middle of all those clothes. Seems Bazzer inherited some of the red headed genes from the early invaders of Great Britain. Then I looked over on another field to see Ben staring the sun down!!!! Can't say that I've ever seen him with a hat!! So, pick your parents more carefully next time and maybe you'll be a little more lucky with sun problems.

If I remember correctly, when -Pete was young suntan lotion was baby oil with a few drops of iodine added. In hind site, seems like we were simply basting the body during hours of cooking in the sun.

Cheers,
Tom

Everyone's always picking on the gingers

Where I work, we call poking fun at someone "giving them the needle".

--Pete brought up a good point - check the ratings on your gear, too. Umbrellas, canopies, lean-tos, etc. many things are being rated in terms of their protection factor. With the right combination of gear and sunscreen, you can really minimize your chance of being burnt. If you really want to know how strong the UV rays are, I found these meters on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co...sl_70k6q4b6gu_e

I love tools and gadgets, someone needs to make a combination wind speed and UV meter

[--Pete]

If you really want to know how strong the UV rays are, I found these meters on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co...sl_70k6q4b6gu_e

I love tools and gadgets, someone needs to make a combination wind speed and UV meter

Right! Because when there is plenty of wind you can't feel the burn (until it is too late).

[SkyPuppet]

Summer's here! 3 months of Zen weather lies ahead

[Felix Mottram]

Summer's here! 3 months of Zen weather lies ahead

We have a 'summer like' forecast for Blackheath this coming weekend after six or so dismal ones.

Hopefully the following weekend in Sunderland will be good as well.

Felix

[John F]

Word about the nasties. Melanoma is no joke. It starts at the skin level and then goes deeper then to lymph nodes. From there it is very bad and very quick. The sunscreen is probably good at prevention but your childhood exposure and probably genes determine if you will have melanoma. But why chance it, use sun screen. Also you can get it in the eye so good wrap around sun glasses are important. Remember we are always looking to the sky.

The key thing is to detect the melanoma early. The gauge is the thickness or depth. If it is less than .9mm there is a good chance of sucessful surgery (complete removal) and no recurrance. If it is thicker that means there is higher probability that it has spread. So if you have one time is your enemy. Mine was diagnosed at a free clinic which reccomened a visit to the dermatologist and biopsy.

Ironically the young nurse that took care of me had one. Her 4 year daughter discovered it. She asked what the funny spot was on her mom's back. It was a melanoma.

So kite flyers pay attention to your skin and get anything suspicious checked and get it done as soon as it looks suspicious.

My result looks good. They thought it might have metastacized but now they think it hasn't. Mine never did look like a melanoma, it just looked suspicious.

Take care

Mtn Flyers' friend

[Quincy]

Word about the nasties. Melanoma is no joke. It starts at the skin level and then goes deeper then to lymph nodes. From there it is very bad and very quick. The sunscreen is probably good at prevention but your childhood exposure and probably genes determine if you will have melanoma. But why chance it, use sun screen. Also you can get it in the eye so good wrap around sun glasses are important. Remember we are always looking to the sky.

The key thing is to detect the melanoma early. The gauge is the thickness or depth. If it is less than .9mm there is a good chance of sucessful surgery (complete removal) and no recurrance. If it is thicker that means there is higher probability that it has spread. So if you have one time is your enemy. Mine was diagnosed at a free clinic which reccomened a visit to the dermatologist and biopsy.

Ironically the young nurse that took care of me had one. Her 4 year daughter discovered it. She asked what the funny spot was on her mom's back. It was a melanoma.

So kite flyers pay attention to your skin and get anything suspicious checked and get it done as soon as it looks suspicious.

My result looks good. They thought it might have metastacized but now they think it hasn't. Mine never did look like a melanoma, it just looked suspicious.

Take care

Mtn Flyers' friend

I'm glad they caught yours in time.

My father wasn't so lucky. He died of melanoma.

This cancer is also no respecter of age. A friend from high school died from skin cancer a couple of years after graduation. He was 19.

I wear SPF 30 for UVA and UVB, sunglasses rated for UV and a wide brimmed hat. Anything to better the odds.

[--Pete]

I'm 67. My melanoma exposure happened 50-60 years ago as a child and as a teenager. I've had two melanomas discovered early and removed successfully.

I believe that the solution for those who were exposed and heavily sun-burned when young is VIGILANCE. Get yourself looked over by an expert several times a year.