Page 4 | Pale people who still use low SPF are idiots!

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 2015-06-18T15:49:09+00:00

I'm on hols in the carribean and a pale white couple infront of us who arrived yesterday are putting on SPF 6, after 30 mins the bloke was already going pink and it was only 10am. They are in early 30's so with all likelihood have been bombarded with the safe sun message for years. Yes none of my business but why risk skin cancer for a tan/serious sunburn? I just don't get it!

Timri · 19/06/2015 00:47

They were very nice 'idiots' then?

Original poster

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 19/06/2015 00:50

Yes!
Idiotic about the sun cream still tho.

OP posts:

LucyBabs · 19/06/2015 01:00

Eh do young babies not actually LIVE in hot countries too?

I tan easily, as do my dc. My family have sallow skin and only have to look out the window and get a tan. We're Irish. I'm under no illusion that when my skin tans in the sun it's just as bad sun burn. Its all skin damage..

tomatodizzymum · 19/06/2015 01:11

You cannot live in a hot country and not get a tan. Impossible unless you never go outside of course. I have seen many old people in hot countries that are in their 90's and don't look a day over 60 because they take care of themselves, eat well and don't spend hours in the sun. I have seen a lot of old people in cold countries that are 60 and don't look a day under 90 because they have had the shit bashed out of their skin by the wind, rain and snow, and eat badly. So it's all swings and roundabouts. Being careful with your self is the key, whatever the weather!

Potterwolfie · 19/06/2015 02:03

People hugely underestimate the effects of sun damage, because the results, apart from sunburn, will not show for years. There's really no excuse to use low SPF sunscreen when abroad, or even in the summer in the UK, yet people will still ignore the advice and risk skin cancer. You will still 'tan' if you must, when using a factor 40 or above, with max UVA/UVB protection.

A close relative recently went through treatment for stage 4 skin cancer, probably linked to sunbathing with low factor sunscreen in the 70s and 80s. She now has a huge chunk carved out of her leg where a mole was removed, and had all of her lymph nodes removed on one side of her groin. And she's one of the lucky ones!

Potterwolfie · 19/06/2015 02:06

People hugely underestimate the effects of sun damage, because the results, apart from sunburn, will not show for years. There's really no excuse to use low SPF sunscreen when abroad, or even in the summer in the UK, yet people will still ignore the advice and risk skin cancer. You will still 'tan' if you must, when using a factor 40 or above, with max UVA/UVB protection.

A close relative recently went through treatment for stage 4 skin cancer, probably linked to sunbathing with low factor sunscreen in the 70s and 80s. She now has a huge chunk carved out of her leg where a mole was removed, and had all of her lymph nodes removed on one side of her groin. And she's one of the lucky ones!

sashh · 19/06/2015 07:29

Pale skin, dark hair, blue eyes. Anyone with that combination is at higher risk of skin cancer. As told to me by skin cancer specialist.

Or as we non professional say - Irish.

You cannot live in a hot country and not get a tan. Impossible unless you never go outside of course.

Rubbish, I have the same colouring as my Australian cousins, who have never had a tan in their lives.

tobysmum77 · 19/06/2015 07:32

I think its sunbathing that is ridiculous in general.

MissDuke · 19/06/2015 09:17

Ha ha ha ha this thread reminds me of the time we went to a family wedding in Edinburgh with 3 month old dd. My mil was horrified when the penny dropped that were in fact bringing dd and not leaving her with her!!! She said that Edinburgh was much too cold for a baby Years later I still laugh about it, I don't know how she thinks native babies survive there! We are from a part of the UK that has particularly crap weather so it isn't like dd was used to warmer climes anyway

Lottapianos · 19/06/2015 09:27

I agree with you OP, and I say that as a pale skinned person who has been very stupid in the past and been roasted alive on several occasions. It is completely idiotic. So very much not worth it. Went to the Algarve in May and stayed in the shade and coated myself in Factor 50 - had a much better time unsurprisingly!

at all the pearl clutching that OP has dared to so much as even look at other people while on holiday. OP, don't you know that you should never ever look at anyone else ever, just mind your own business and never be tempted to 'judge' i.e. form an opinion? 'Tis the first rule of MN Enjoy your holiday, I'm jealous

alrayyan · 19/06/2015 09:29

It was just under 50c when I went for my swim this morning. I am trying to brown my legs so used no factor and you can call me an idiot but I am a brown idiot which is infinitely better than chickeny white legged one

tomatodizzymum · 19/06/2015 11:44

Rubbish, I have the same colouring as my Australian cousins, who have never had a tan in their lives.

So they only go outside when it's dark? I walk to work everyday, walk the dog, hang up the washing or walk from the car into buildings. I use factor 50 on my face and 30 on my arms and legs but being that its 35 degrees by 10.30 am in the summer, I get colour. It's impossible not to. If you lived in Australia you'd be darker .

Theycallmemellowjello · 19/06/2015 11:47

Meh I don't think it's worth getting worked up about. I only use SPF for vain anti aging reasons. If others want to not use it to get a quick tan I'm not really one to judge.

Fluffyears · 19/06/2015 12:13

The pain from sunburn is not worth it as I found out to my cost . I people watch on holiday too I find people fascinating in general think I my last life I must have been a dog as they find folk so fascinating.

Are they Scottish op? It's a badge of honour to have a tan here as we never see the bloody sun. You can usually tell us on holiday as we'd slather on the chip fat.

Original poster

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 19/06/2015 14:01

Glad I'm not the only person who likes to people watch on holiday too.

But I'll now be looking out for mumsnetters who only look straight ahead and at themselves.

OP posts:

Lottapianos · 19/06/2015 14:11

'But I'll now be looking out for mumsnetters who only look straight ahead and at themselves'

Eyes front!!!!!!

limitedperiodonly · 19/06/2015 16:59

But I'll now be looking out for mumsnetters who only look straight ahead and at themselves.

OP I look at others every day and judge them constantly for good or ill on their behaviour or appearance.

That's human nature and a valuable survival skill.

I don't count 'people watching' as one of my main occupations on holiday. I prefer to be the admired, rather than the admirer, but each to her own and I don't give a shit about what you like to do on holiday.

I do think 'people watching' is a bit sad though. It seems like a waste of time, but that's just my opinion. I prefer to get out there and enjoy life even if sometimes it goes wrong.

You have posted one of the things guaranteed to get lots of MN approval - competitive SPF-ness. You have it but it seems a bit needy to me.

Not to mention lacking in self awareness by posting from a Caribbean beach about other people who have the temerity to be on the same beach.

limitedperiodonly · 19/06/2015 18:52

I don't call other people idiots for doing things that I don't choose to do that have absolutely no impact on my life.

Call me strange. Or an idiot.

Original poster

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 20/06/2015 21:17

I didn't post because this is a popular topic (is it?) or am needy, just that I'm surprised the safe sun message is still ignored.

And I'm unsure why I can't post from the beach (under my umbrella) is it the fact it's the Caribbean or I dared to go outside and er 'admire' sunburn.

Anyway I'm home now so you can unclutch your pearls.

OP posts:

Eversobusyeveryday · 20/06/2015 22:52

DD currently has a rather spectacular sock tan, she has never been so much as slightly pink in her life, she has just picked up colour. DS is dark ran from April till November every year, he has never burnt or even gone red but they both have middle eastern heritage. I am vigilant on holiday about them being smothered in factor 30 but at home I rarely bother unless they are out for extended periods of time

SmallMustard · 21/06/2015 14:37

that's the same with my two, lines where their socks have been and they have learnt what happens after they have worn the same pair of sandals all summer , last year they still had sock lines in December.

Custardcream14 · 21/06/2015 15:04

Anyone using that low a factor is an idiot.

Just because other people are less pale doesn't mean they can't have any damage.

pandarific · 21/06/2015 15:49

My dad brought aftersun on holiday recently, but no SPF. He was bright red as a tomato slathering it on, making little pained sounds.

I wasted my breath trying to tell him...

Birdsgottafly · 21/06/2015 16:03

Seeming as the Caribbean has recently become the number one destination for female sex tourism (but couples can be catered for) (and you hang round on the beach to pick up) and out of everything you can indulge in on holiday, that really does cause Cancer (and illness/accident/death), it seems odd to be discussing SPF, this is the new car seats, but at least it's seasonal.

limitedperiodonly · 21/06/2015 16:34

this is the new car seats, but at least it's seasonal