To not wear sunscreen

[RoxyMoosic]

A job I do involves me being outdoors. I work half days, almost always in the morning (ie. between roughly 0830 - 1230). This is for 2-4 days per week. I’m outside for that whole period. I’m in the north of Scotland.

I would wear sunscreen if I’m going on a day out etc. but I thought that
a) they say the hottest hours are between 11 and 3 or something like that, so I’m avoiding most of that.
b) I don’t usually have any visible signs of burning after returning home from the job.

however I’ve come to reconsider my decision today after returning home with a slight red nose. The back of my arms are also red , with my legs and arms being itchy (is this a bad sign?) the backs of my legs may also be red but I can’t check properly until I stop itching them which is enhancing the redness.

in a slightly vain manner I was hoping to get a bit of a tan, but it appears to have gone past that stage!

so… aibu to not wear sunscreen, and if so, should I start wearing it.

im annoyed with myself and have looked it out for tomorrow.

Yabu.
Its not about visible burns. It's the risk of skin cancer too.

I mean it's up to you but I wear sunscreen even in midwinter. Any burn or tan is a sign of skin damage.

If you're worried about being vain then consider that a lot of wrinkles are caused by sun damage.

You can't be that caring if you're willing to age prematurely just do you don't have to use sun cream. Should use all year round if you want to take it seriously.

Caring? Vain!

Wear sunscreen! You’ll still get a tan, just at a much slower rate.

AIBU to not wear sunscreen?

It's up to you, it's your skin. It's neither reasonable or unreasonable. People do all sorts of things to their bodies that aren't good for them and might ultimately kill them. Eat chips, drink alcohol, swim with sharks.

My dad refused to wear sunscreen because he didn't like the feel of it, he's had skin cancer, all be it small , 3 times. Still tries to get out of wearing it 🙄
As a pasty redhead suncream for me is a must.

You do you. It’s your skin at risk. The UV index gets to 3 at 9am where I am, and Cancer Research UK advise thinking about sun protection at 3. Which is a long time to be out unprotected. That’s not a risk I’d be happy to take, and suncream isn’t a burden

so… aibu to not wear sunscreen, and if so, should I start wearing it.

Its 2022…

Given the number of patients I see for wound checks/suture removal after having skin cancers cut out, I'd say you are definitely being unreasonable.

My manager early 30’s has had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from her cheek. She doesn’t remember getting burned anytime.

DH was burnt as a child, has worn sunscreen as long as I’ve known him but has now had multiple Squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas removed.

YABVVVU.

I mean...you know the risks, but its your choice.

Sunshine is good for you and too much sun protection can leave you deficient in vitamin D. I would aim to never get burnt but tanning is fine. Depends on your skin type obviously but for me I wear it before I get a tan, if on a long day out, if doing watersports, but not for the odd morning out. I generally wear a t shirt and knee length shorts and a hat so not that much skin is exposed anyway.

And btw heat has nothing to do with it. You can get sun damage even if it isn’t particularly hot. You should wear sun screen every day, especially between April-October.

I hate the feeling of the creams and they always, always give me spot breakouts on my chest. I use the gel type ones now (Ultrasun is good) or the clear sprays.

I didn’t put any on yesterday and am now regretting it…in my bag ready for tomorrow.

I don't recommend skin cancer.

I rarely do, and I am prepared to deal with any adverse consequences. The point is that this - like so many things, especially to do with health - is a personal choice so you can't possibly be unreasonable. It's nobody else's business & you can do whatever you want!

I used to have that attitude, I love having a tan for so many reasons. Bit I’m mid forties now and I can definitely see the signs of sun damage, even though my skin isn’t bad.

Just wear the sunscreen, at least on your face. You won’t regret wearing it but you might regret not. You will still tan through it, it will just take a bit longer.

You're mad.

I work outdoors and cover myself in factor 30 everyday - I still get a tan but I don't burn. I know someone will jump on me and say a tan is still damage - but I can't do my job wearing full-length trousers and tops without giving myself heatstroke and horrendous headaches - I've tried.

I use the mist sprays - they're really good at reaching everywhere and I don't feel sticky or anything either.