Sunscreen

[talon]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66F55K20100716

I know all the drill about wearing sunscreen, but with the constant news that sunscreen isn't as effective as claimed, and the high cost of sunscreen, I prefer other methods.

I go out for short bursts. When I must be out for longer times, I wear loose, breezy sunblock clothing and a wide brimmed hat for gardening and yard work. For strolling an arts festival or a farmer's market, or attending a picnic, I carry - and use! - a sunblock parasol. I wear gloves, too, and stockings and shoes, not sandals.

These do not have a time limit on them, do not need re-application every 15 - 30 minutes, don't cause excess sweating, don't make the wearer hotter, and it doesn't feel as if one is being slimed or smothered.

The initial expense for these may exceed a month's worth of sunscreen, but they will, with care, last decades, making them by far the more reasonable choice for those on limited incomes.

A 16 ounce bottle, applied every hour outdoors (and again each time one gets wet because even the waterproof sunscreens wash off), using the full recommended amount (1 ½ - 2 ounces), including under non-sunblock clothing, lasts 1 or 2 days. At $10 a bottle (or more), that's $300 a month for the really active outdoor person who spends 8 or more hours a day outdoors. For $300, I can buy several sunblock tops and pants/skirts, a good hat, a good parasol, sunblock gloves, several pairs of sunblock stockings, and some lightweight summer crocs - and be protected for years as opposed to one month. Of course, one can spend considerably more than $300 on sunblock clothing. End-of-season clearance sales can be your friend. Plus, you can add RIT Sun Guard to your laundry to make your own clothing block UV rays.

http://www.solartex.com/
http://www.uvskinz.com/
http://www.coolibar.com/womens-sun-clothing-sets.html
http://www.ayanashop.com/Sunblock_Clothing_s/29.htm
http://www.sunclothingetc.com/
http://www.sungrubbies.com/
http://sunprotected.com/UvProtectionClothing.html
http://www.sunprecautions.com/
http://www.triplejsunprotection.com/Default.asp
http://www.spfstore.com/
http://www.exofficio.com/content/aboutexo/sunprotectiveclothing.htm
http://www.alexandme.com/
http://www.llbean.com/
http://www.landsend.com/
http://www.orvis.com/

If you don't like the sunblock clothing styles, you can add sunblocking to your existing clothes with Rit Sun Guard Laundry Treatment. This lasts up to 20 washings and you don't have to buy special clothes - unless you want to because some of those sun block clothes are pretty and functional.

Itzl wears his own sun protective clothing because he must accompany me where ever I go. He has UV sun goggles and a sun visor, and a UV blocking cabana to shelter under, too.

You may want to add some sunscreen, especially to exposed skin and if you're playing in water, but you won't need near as much for the rest of your outdoor activities if you dress for it.