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Valued Contributor
Posts: 558
Registered: ‎02-04-2011
On 5/22/2014 kmbcincy said: I had skin cancer 13 years ago. My dermatologist told me that he thought sunscreen was only effective to a point and while he strongly recommended that I wear it on exposed areas like my face, neck and hands, for protection against reflected sunlight, he said I needed a PHYSICAL block. He told me about Sun Precautions, a company started by a melanoma survivor, which makes sun protective clothing, hats, parasols, etc. Knowing how sensitive my skin is, he said that rather than using a high SPF, I could "layer" a lower SPF. I have done that, using DHC's White Sunscreen SPF 25, and wearing Solumbra Hats, using their Parasols, and have had no recurrence of skin cancer. Hope this helps!!!

Thank you so much for letting us know about Sun Precautions and laying lower SPF sunscreens. The higher SPFs are so irritating and burn my eyes.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,953
Registered: ‎07-09-2010
I have ezcema and I breakout easily. I'm trying to do a physical sunscreen on my face and currently using JM moisturizer with SPF. My skin doesn't react to it which is great except I sweat and the sunscreen slides right off. I used to put sweat proof sunscreen on my face. It is all so confusing and thank you for all the info supplied by everyone. Keep it coming.
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,919
Registered: ‎03-26-2010

Thanks for posting this - many do get confused about how SPFs work. I read here the other day someone who thought that the SPF rating referred to the amount of time you could be in the sun before reapplying ......... in other words, an SPF of 15 meant you had to reapply after 15 minutes, a 30 spf meant you had to reapply after 30 and so on. If that was the case, many would never get much done as they'd be reapplying their sunscreen all day long.{#emotions_dlg.crying}

It is always beneficial when we hav threads like these that explain how certain skincare products really do function.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 558
Registered: ‎02-04-2011

My friend thought that EACH product you put on added additional sunscreen. So, if she put on a product with SPF of 15 and then put on another product of SPF 15, and finally added another product of SPF 15, then she had SPF total of 45 on her face. Her doctor said that isn't really how it works and she ended up with skin cancer. She had to have a big chunk taken out of her temple area skin. She learned her lesson and now she is wearing products with SPF values that are a bit higher than SPF 15 to begin with.

Super Contributor
Posts: 1,951
Registered: ‎02-05-2014

In a way I guess I am almost glad that I have the vitiligo. I have been staying out of the sun for years now and wearing sunscreen. I still really need a hat though. I just hate hat hair, lol.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,136
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I wear SPF 30 or higher every day but, I have to say, I feel like I am doomed any way I look at it.

I am only 42 and tanned in my teens & 20’s and never worse SPF, I am moley anyways and have already had 16 moles

Removed L They all came back fine but I do worry about the years to come.

I still cont. to wear SPF but just feel like it’s a little to late anyways!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,415
Registered: ‎11-25-2011

I "eat" my sunscreen. Lots & lots of berries, greens, fruits/veggies. I start off 10 min. each side & build up to 30 min by end of summer. Not one single burn in the past...and I can guarantee no burn this year. No skin damage...I just had a dermatologist body check last week. If you are healthy inside, those antioxidants will protect you for a desirable amount of time.

Sunscreens have waaaay too many chemicals for me to feel comfortable. More & more research is saying sunscreen is a cause for cancer.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,136
Registered: ‎03-09-2010
On 5/23/2014 sidsmom said:

I "eat" my sunscreen. Lots & lots of berries, greens, fruits/veggies. I start off 10 min. each side & build up to 30 min by end of summer. Not one single burn in the past...and I can guarantee no burn this year. No skin damage...I just had a dermatologist body check last week. If you are healthy inside, those antioxidants will protect you for a desirable amount of time.

Sunscreens have waaaay too many chemicals for me to feel comfortable. More & more research is saying sunscreen is a cause for cancer.

I couldn't agree more but, what about when you are on Vacation - That's the issue I have, we are in the sun ALL DAY LONG, playing in the water, paddle boarding, surfing, hanging at the beach. Would you wear a low chemical sunscreen for that? I've looked at Ava Andreson non toxic and they have some that rate very low on the EWG site.

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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,853
Registered: ‎03-13-2010
On 5/23/2014 sidsmom said:

More & more research is saying sunscreen is a cause for cancer.

I would be interested to read some of this research.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,733
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Please, everybody, do not buy into the idea that you can eat your way to avoiding skin damage and worse from the sun.

Use a sunscreen that you are comfortable with, whether it's physical (my preference) or chemical or a combination thereof, and use it liberally and often.

The damage from UV rays cannot be overstated --from pesky sun spots and discoloration, to premature aging of the skin, to disfiguring tests for cancer, and of course to one or more of the three types of skin cancer.

Compare the risks of not protecting yourself with the controversial claims of health risks from sunscreen. Just ask the American Academy of Dermatology and all other respected medical groups in the field.

One of the best things you can do to protect your beauty and your life is to wear sunscreen.


~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland