What factor suntan lotion?

[Keith]

Question asked on behalf of my wife who likes to sunbathe <G>

although I know it depends on skin type so it's hard to answer :/ what factor do people usually use for Orlando?

We're going in a week or so and she wanted to pick up a factor 5 lotion today :/ which to me sounds wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too low for florida.

Soooo what do you all get? I was thinking it's more likely to be 30 until youre used to it then 20 <G> but then dw wants to get a tan unlike me :/

[JuniorMickey]

Keith, this coming from someone who lives here. I went to a Marlins game on Sunday. Weather was SUNNY and it was HOT. I put on SPF 30 Sport (Sweat/waterproof) and I still got pink.

[PaulaK]

At least 20 for me! but then i'm a permanent shade of milk bottle :hehe:

[Wendy]

We all used factor 40 last June....I still managed to miss my neck whilst at US and paid the price :slapme:

No matter what the skin-type, with Orlando's UVs, factor 5 would be too low in my opinion.

[Mickeymac]

I use 45. I've got good ole Irish skin, too, and still manage to burn. :-/

[OKWTink]

With a base tan, I use Bain de Soleil 8 orange creme.

By base tan I mean my skin is noticeably dark.

When I don't have a base tan, I use 45 or higher, and waterproof.

I had a very dark tan before I went to Hawaii, used sunscreen (fifty I believe) and burnt the daylights out of myself. :( In one afternoon.

So, assuming your Helen doesn't have any sort of tan, SPF 45 or higher and waterproof. Bain de Soliel is the only brand I use, but there are other ones out there that work well without making you feel unbearably sticky.

[SorcererMickey]

1,000 :lol:

I wish, I use Bull Frog Sun Screen. It only comes in 40SPF, but it's waterproof, so it stays longer.

And I mean it stays longer :eek: , it's like covering your skin with latex paint :rotfl: .

It's late (1:05am) I should go to bed :yawn: :sleep: ...

[ukwdwnut]

45 until we get going and get a base, we also have 15 and 8 for the second week

[ukwdwnut]

1,000 And I mean it stays longer :eek: , it's like covering your skin with latex paint :rotfl:

:rotfl: :rotfl:

[Jenna]

It's recommended that you never use less than 15 anywhere you go, any less than that and you're not really properly protected from all the UV rays. I've been burnt badly twice when I was younger and I never ever want it to happen again, if I want a tan it's coming out of a bottle!

[Melfuzz]

I have brought factor 50 but I am really pale. Whats the highest factor I could buy in the States? I want to buy some more when I am there rather than take a huge bottle.

[triciacarole]

Have a look here (http://www.boots.com/features/feature.jsp?articleId=1002032&link=Magazine&wblinktype=SMA)

[Isafari]

I used a 30 ..... and we go in Florida's winter months

[PaulaK]

25-35 for me according to that chart. I usually get 30 for the kids and use theirs. I will definitely wear a hat this year too. I never want to feel like I did when I got sunstroke last year :nono:

[triciacarole]

25-35 for me according to that chart. I usually get 30 for the kids and use theirs. I will definitely wear a hat this year too. I never want to feel like I did when I got sunstroke last year :nono:

That happened to DH once he felt awful.

DDs always used to burn their scalps whilst in the pool but I've discovered a spray on sunscreen especially for the head by Soltan that did the trick this year :)

[PaulaK]

Ooh thanks Trish :thumbs:, that sounds like a good idea, I didn't know they made that!

[Jenna]

I never want to feel like I did when I got sunstroke last year :nono:

I've had that twice too, doesn't it make you feel absolutely dreadful :(

[PaulaK]

I've never felt as bad in my life. I was hallucinating! :eek: I made sure the kids were fully protected and thought i'd be okay :doh: :ohdear:

[triciacarole]

Ooh thanks Trish :thumbs:, that sounds like a good idea, I didn't know they made that!

When the skin started to peel when we got back home I saw other mothers looking at their heads thinking they had nits :afraid:one even questioned me about it :rotfl:

[PaulaK]

:lol: You should have told her they were extra juicy Floridian super-nits!

[Redkop]

shouldnt really say this should i............never used sun lotion whilst in florida, dont go red just brown straight away :blush:

[triciacarole]

:lol: You should have told her they were extra juicy Floridian super-nits!:rotfl: Should have thrown a few at her :D

[Jenna]

I've never felt as bad in my life. I was hallucinating! :eek:

:eek: I never got that!!

[Vikki]

The moisturiser I use dialy has a SPF 15 in it, and thats just for daily wear. If you think about it, thats just for a normal UK day to protect your skin, in somewhere like Florida I would say to use an SPF 20 at the very least.

[wdwgrandma]

I just bought SPF 30+ for the cruise - 4 bottles!!! LOL

[tb2830]

keith i would defo go for 30 or more to start of with .............we only went to cornwall the other week and we were burnt terrible took us all...all week to recover from it

[Keith]

Thanks all! especially that boots spf calculator!

Helen does tan really easily rather than burn (unlike me :lol: ) but still can't be too careful so I think she'll be getting 30+

[JuniorMickey]

Word of caution to anyone who wears their hair in pigtails (or puts their children's in them) get a spray sunscreen. The part in the hair WILL burn and it HURTS when you brush it. (Been there, done that)

[wdwgrandma]

You don't even have to put them in pony tails! I manage to get the part in my hair burned occasionally... Ouch!

[MystikPiglit]

if I want a tan it's coming out of a bottle!

I agree! :lol:

Start with around 30, then lower if necessary.

And wear a hat :thumbs:

[triciacarole]

I agree! :lol:

Start with around 30, then lower if necessary.

And wear a hat :thumbs:

..and drink loads of water, not soda :)

[diamondprincess]

I work outside at craft fairs in the summer and I use Hawiaiian Tropic Ozone Sport Spray 30+. I try to remember to wear my white bucket hat that also covers my ears. Once this summer, my ears were so burnt they got crispy. If you wear sandals, don't forget the tops of your feet. They are another forgotten body part.

I personally think Hawaiian Tropic makes the best product line for skin protection, comfort, and scent.

[tajainaz]

Time for basic SPF theory! :D

Multiply the number of minutes you can be in the bright Florida sunshine without burning by the SPF number to get the maximum amount of time between applications. Reduce that time if you are perspiring or in the water (reapply after swimming).

Also, be sure it protects against UVA and UVB.

A hat is a good idea to avoid sunburning one's scalp.

And drink tons of water during the heat of the day. Save the soft drinks and alcohol for evening--they cause the body to dehydrate.

I had a nasty case of sun poisoning when I was 17. We sailed from Marina del Rey (Los Angeles) to Santa Catalina Island over a holiday weekend. By the time I returned, I was one sick, dehydrated puppy! :ouch: Took about 3 weeks to recover--not including the skin peeling. That was another two weeks! :eek:

Just use common sense and don't overdo in the sun! :)

[Vikki]

The thing is, a tan is still the skins reaction to the sun, even if it doesn't burn. I know we all like a tan though :D I have quite pale skin so don't tan much......the wonder of a bottle of the fake stuff :)