Anyone who's had malignant melanoma - pls talk to me about sun protection/beach wear...

[Magpie1976]

I was diagnosed 2 years ago and have been discharged. I've been very good at trying to stay out of the sun since then but have now booked a family beach holiday to the Med in summer and am looking for any recommendations for how to cover up, stay protected from the sun but not get too hot or stand out too much by being the most overdressed person on the beach. I have been looking at rash vests but just wondered about something similar for my legs too and if anyone had any recommendations. I use boots soltan spf 50 but has anyone got any other recommendations here too? Thanks..

I haven't had melanoma, but for the last two years I've had a massive reaction to the sun where I bleed into my skin (so lovely) and sun block alone isn't enough, so I'm good at covering up!
The Uniqlo Airism Spf 50 clothing is really good, the zip up jackets or hoodies especially as they don't make you hot at all, but have long sleeves that go right over your wrists, and a high neck so they protect front and back.
For the beach, Decathlon do SPF 50 swim leggings which I really like (watch the top of your feet though) and matching rash vests. M&S have swim leggings, rash vest and skirt in their new collection (though I didn't see an SPF on them) and Lands End have a nice selection of rash vests.
Solbari have a big range of sun protection clothing which is pricey, but their sun sleeves are an excellent way to cover right up if you have a top with half or 3/4 sleeves.
I use Eucerin sun allergy spf 50 suncream at the moment on Drs recommendation, but if I was going to be in and out of the water all day I would have a whole body layer of p20 SPF 50 in the morning after showering (you have to flap around to dry it for 10 minutes before dressing) and then do the Eucerin on exposed bits through the day.

@CMOTDibbler

I haven't had melanoma, but for the last two years I've had a massive reaction to the sun where I bleed into my skin (so lovely) and sun block alone isn't enough, so I'm good at covering up! The Uniqlo Airism Spf 50 clothing is really good, the zip up jackets or hoodies especially as they don't make you hot at all, but have long sleeves that go right over your wrists, and a high neck so they protect front and back. For the beach, Decathlon do SPF 50 swim leggings which I really like (watch the top of your feet though) and matching rash vests. M&S have swim leggings, rash vest and skirt in their new collection (though I didn't see an SPF on them) and Lands End have a nice selection of rash vests. Solbari have a big range of sun protection clothing which is pricey, but their sun sleeves are an excellent way to cover right up if you have a top with half or 3/4 sleeves. I use Eucerin sun allergy spf 50 suncream at the moment on Drs recommendation, but if I was going to be in and out of the water all day I would have a whole body layer of p20 SPF 50 in the morning after showering (you have to flap around to dry it for 10 minutes before dressing) and then do the Eucerin on exposed bits through the day.

@CMOTDibbler thank you thats really helpful. Your condition sounds tough.. I looked at decathlon and maybe its the wrong time to be looking but everything I would like to buy or in my size is out of stock. I'd not heard of Airism clothing so will def be getting one of their hoodies. Same for Solbari - it is really expensive though! The sleeves sound like a great idea. I'll check out the suncreams too. You're right about the M&S swimwear - looks good except not SPF - so think may have to give it a miss (not sure how some clothing is SPF though and some that looks pretty much the same is not...perhaps its a bit of a marketing con....). When you go the beach do you wear the swim leggings and long sleeved tops? Do you every get too hot?

You need to cover up.

Sunscreen is really for when being exposed is unavoidable.

In the Southern Hemisphere where the UV is less filtered, skin cancer rates are screamingly high and locals routinely wear hats and cover ups.

Definitely zip up rash tops.

Also beach cover ups, you know the floaty dress/shirt type things you pull over swimsuits or wear when it's too hot for anything else.

Unless you're planning to lie in the sun, your legs will be ok if you wear sunblock, it's your head, ears, shoulders, neck and arms and hands that catch most of the light.

So don't sunbathe.
Wear sunblock.
Wear coverups and a wide brim hat (a cap won't suffice)
And rash top when swimming.

Also remember that the SPF number means it offers that number of minutes protection longer than your inbuilt system ie SPF50 on someone with olive skin will lbw effective longer than does someone very pale. You will need to reapply every hour and after swimming.

Not me but I have family with malignant melanoma. They try to keep out of the sun completely during peak uv - so for your holiday this will be eating lunch in the shade rather than sun as some people prefer. Even when the sun is weak they use high factor sun cream and hats (my family members have it on their nose on face). As pp said your legs will likely be fine but covering your shoulders/chest is important so long sleeve beach shirts and cover ups are good.

Its a bad time of year for buying stuff, I seem to remember it was early May that the Decathlon and Uniqlo summer ranges came in last year.
Floaty beach coverup stuff is not enough protection - the SPF is only something like 10, you need a denser weave than that. Some things, like t shirt, there is a wash in SPF you can use to bring them up. And your legs most certainly need protection.
I am literally covered up all the time I'm outside from head to toe (no flip flops either as suncream rubs off round the edges). I couldn't comment on sitting on the beach as its not something I do (swimming anywhere, yes), but I honestly don't think I'm particularly hotter in a bikini, rash vest and leggings than the bikini alone.

@CMOTDibbler

Its a bad time of year for buying stuff, I seem to remember it was early May that the Decathlon and Uniqlo summer ranges came in last year. Floaty beach coverup stuff is not enough protection - the SPF is only something like 10, you need a denser weave than that. Some things, like t shirt, there is a wash in SPF you can use to bring them up. And your legs most certainly need protection. I am literally covered up all the time I'm outside from head to toe (no flip flops either as suncream rubs off round the edges). I couldn't comment on sitting on the beach as its not something I do (swimming anywhere, yes), but I honestly don't think I'm particularly hotter in a bikini, rash vest and leggings than the bikini alone.

The cover ups are fine. I wear them and I am very pale. I wear them rather than "active wear" on hikes and also on the beach and I don't get burnt.

@CMOTDibbler

Its a bad time of year for buying stuff, I seem to remember it was early May that the Decathlon and Uniqlo summer ranges came in last year. Floaty beach coverup stuff is not enough protection - the SPF is only something like 10, you need a denser weave than that. Some things, like t shirt, there is a wash in SPF you can use to bring them up. And your legs most certainly need protection. I am literally covered up all the time I'm outside from head to toe (no flip flops either as suncream rubs off round the edges). I couldn't comment on sitting on the beach as its not something I do (swimming anywhere, yes), but I honestly don't think I'm particularly hotter in a bikini, rash vest and leggings than the bikini alone.

@CMOTDibbler Thanks. Can I ask..what do you wear on your feet? I've never been into sitting on the beach but will be swimming and running around after the kids and flip flops are not a good idea for sun protection/suncream coming off. In my internet searching I came across a website you may be interested in...called calypsa and seems a bit cheaper than solari.

@sweetbellyhigh

You need to cover up.

Sunscreen is really for when being exposed is unavoidable.

In the Southern Hemisphere where the UV is less filtered, skin cancer rates are screamingly high and locals routinely wear hats and cover ups.

Definitely zip up rash tops.

Also beach cover ups, you know the floaty dress/shirt type things you pull over swimsuits or wear when it's too hot for anything else.

Unless you're planning to lie in the sun, your legs will be ok if you wear sunblock, it's your head, ears, shoulders, neck and arms and hands that catch most of the light.

So don't sunbathe.
Wear sunblock.
Wear coverups and a wide brim hat (a cap won't suffice)
And rash top when swimming.

Also remember that the SPF number means it offers that number of minutes protection longer than your inbuilt system ie SPF50 on someone with olive skin will lbw effective longer than does someone very pale. You will need to reapply every hour and after swimming.

@sweetbellyhigh Thanks! I won't be sunbathing but I know it will be so hard to avoid being in the sun esp as being in and out of the water. If you have any recommendations for beach cover ups please let me know.

I haven't had skin cancer but I like to protect my skin at the beach. I live in Australia and that's essential here.

At the beach I wear a long sleeve rash top and 3/4 length lycra leggings. Swim leggings exist but I wear normal work out leggings, same fabric anyway. There are many online retailers of this stuff. And a wide brim hat.

I don't find it too hot at all, it's more comfortable to keep the sun off your skin. And no need to get changed between sand and water or even for your journey, I just wear those clothes from my car/on the bus, go straight in the water, and same on the way back.