Tips for keeping safe in the sun???

[mamadiva]

I know it may seem a bit of a daft subject but I am ashamed to say I probably don't do enough to keep myself and my sun safe when the sun is about.

I have a few questions I was wondering about.

My son and I have atopic eczema and a lot of things affect myself and him so I was wondering is there one that is totally natural and totally safe? We have been okay with the Boots stuff in the past but apparently there are LOADS of chemicals in them and after reading what was more than likely a load of bull article, apparently the chemicals in suncream can actually cause more problems than they counteract.

Also I know that you should'nt rely on sunscreen to protect your skin but what other things are effective? Is all clothing effective or is there a specific material I dshould use?

Last question promise

I am absolutely useless with the amounts and how many times you apply what is the recommended amount?

Sorry for maybe sounding a bit dumb it's just that we have been having gorgeous weather and I had'nt even thought about any of it. And if in doubt always best to ask obviously.

Thanks.

No one

Some fabric has higher SPF than others. I believe some fabrics (e.g. light white cotton) have almost no SPF when they're wet. I think the rule is the darker and thicker the fabric, the better the SPF.

It should be written on the bottle how often you need to re-apply. Generally it's about every four hours, more if you're swimming.

Wear a legionnaire-style or broad-rimmed hat, large sunglasses that came with a UV protection sticker on the lenses (not the cheapo ones from petrol stations) and stay out of the sun from 11am-3pm.

The Cancer Council of Australia has huge amounts of information.

There are 2 sorts of suncreams. Ones with chemicals, and ones which act as a barrier. They have a white barrier (of titanium oxide).....children's suncreams are usually these as they are less irritating to skin. And that is why their cream is so visible. While adults creams are usually chemical protection and can even come as a clear gel.
My DD also has excema, and I've found that even some of the sensitive skin creams irritate her. the one she gets on best with is the Tesco green one.

UVB rays BURN - so the factor (ie 15, 30, 50 etc) relates to this. It is how many times (as in multiplying mins) you can stay out in the sun without getting burnt. For example if you take 15 mins to burn usually with factor 15 you can stay out 15x15 mins or 225 mins (or about 3 and a bit hours ) You can reapply after this time however you shouldn't reapply more than once ideally as you should come in out of the sun after several hours anyway regardless of whether you have burnt or not!! Very high factors (40+) are best for children as they burn so much quicker.

However the UVA or AGEING ray damages the skin without you realising it, leading to skin cancer and premature ageing. This is in fact the most dangerous of the two rays as it damages the skin without you realising (this is what sunbeds are basically- UVA beds). You need a product with 5* UVA rating. You should read the back of the bottle to find it.

You can also get those little UVA sunsuits for children.
this sort of thing
but now we're coming into the season, they will be available everywhere: supermarkets, matalan, next etc

Thanks according to a which report that was done a while ago ASDA sun system is among the best because it's cheap I'll go with the trial and error if it breaks us out then it's only a few quid wasted

Thank you for your info ladies