Got burned in the shade yesterday

[cosmopolitanplease]

Posting so others don't make the same stupid mistake.

I spent all of yesterday lying in the shade of my large patio umbrella. I vaguely knew that a tiny amount of sun still reflects on to you in the shade but thought this might lead to a light tan at most. But by evening I'd gone red and quite sore. I'm especially cross with myself as I've burned my chest (in a delightful v-neck formation ) and I'm usually so careful to cover my chest due to the skin being thinner and more prone to wrinkles later.

I've had a quick look and it seems proper UV-blocking parasols are quite expensive so I suppose I will be wearing sunscreen when sitting under it in future, unless anyone can suggest anything else? Maybe I could throw some kind of thick tarpaulin over my existing parasol?

Anyway thanks for listening to my public service announcement.

I was sceptical but dr.google tells me you are completely right !
link: not all shade is equal
Now I feel like a right numpty for not knowing this either

I also made this mistake last weekend - artist's rendition

I once managed to burn to a crisp in the shade on a balcony in Greece.

I hadn’t realised the sun was reflecting off the floor tiles right up at me. Doh 😖!

If you can cast a shadow, you can burn. This is why wearing sun protection & seeking shade is the best way (after staying inside) to prevent sun burn.

Keep slapping on aloe vera.

I did the same last week, OP. I didn't think about it as I couldn't feel the heat on my skin.

Not quite the same but I once got very burned under the chin as a child swimming in the sea - the sun reflected off the water, which I had no idea was possible. it's bonkers how easy it is to burn where you least expect it.

Thanks for the warning OP. Hope your skin feels better soon .

I'm one of those boring people who goes on holiday to the med and comes back as white as I went. Lather on f50 and sit in the shade.
I don't do that at home though which is why I'ma bit skeptical. A dab on my face but otherwise I don't bother unless it's 30C . I do spend time outdoors every day though and never get burnt though I have a light tan on exposed bits.

I stay covered up in the sun and shade. I have lots of incredibly light, thin cotton tops and kaftan with long sleeves and I always wear a big floppy hat. I encourage the dc to do the same and dress them in thin cotton tops and a big hat.

Could you do the same?

Wearing a standard t-shirt only gives you spf 4-6 protection so fabric really can’t be relied upon in strong sun!

Oh gosh OP, I totally feel for you. I get burned soooo easily and the other day I got burned under the parasol. It's a good thick one too. I was so annoyed with myself.

I now have to use sunblocks and sit in shade and been told to either stay indoors or always wear sunblock-even in spring and early autumn -I have malignant melanoma-I’m looking at buying uv tops and clothes/ hats as i don’t want to stay inside forever or worry if about reapplying sunblock all the time for work.This is in the UK so not somewhere like Australia

@FizziWater

I'm one of those boring people who goes on holiday to the med and comes back as white as I went. Lather on f50 and sit in the shade. I don't do that at home though which is why I'ma bit skeptical. A dab on my face but otherwise I don't bother unless it's 30C . I do spend time outdoors every day though and never get burnt though I have a light tan on exposed bits.

Burning is the skin suffering so much damage the cells are breaking down.

People forget/don't realise that sunburn is a radiation burn, and has pretty much nothing to do with heat.

By not covering up/wearing enough sunscreen etc your allowing radiation damage to your skin.

If we could see the damage before the burn, we'd all be using sunscreen all the time!

@TheFlis12345

Wearing a standard t-shirt only gives you spf 4-6 protection so fabric really can’t be relied upon in strong sun!

True, should have pointed out that I also wear factor 50 as well! My skin is on the blue side of white...

Wearing a standard t-shirt only gives you spf 4-6 protection so fabric really can’t be relied upon in strong sun!

And a wet tee shirt has half that. I always wear a certified 50 spf rashie when I'm snorkelling.

I'm on meds that make me burn in the sun. I sadly figured this a while ago when I burned despite hiding in the shadows every time I went outside. And I do use the kids factor 50 too!

I'm on immune suppressing drugs that increase susceptibility. First year on them. Freckles in places I never had them, hands, lips, that is with using 50/30 all the time.

Solbari clothes block out sun.

I didn't know this!

I wear a wide brimmed sun hat all the time n weather like this. Proper old fashioned straw one, & big sunglasses. And F50. I’m still very pale except for my hands which have a very faint line developing where my watch & ring usually go.