I never wore sunscreen, or a hat. Now I have just had a skin cancer removed and I am going to be wearing both in the future... good advice!

Yes indeed! Very good advice, and not something we always remember to do!

I needed this advice 20 years ago!

SO true! I try not to ever leave the house without the hat. 3 Basal Cell lesions so far and I get checked by the dermatologist every 6 months. In Texas and other very sunny hot places, the sunshine is more intense. We don't have cloud cover that often here...not that being cloudy protects you very much.

Yep squamous cells on my face, just last year. .could have been worse. Luckily a terrific plastic surgeon removed them and I have almost no scars. I've worn sunscreen for years, but the doc said fair people should wear hats and sunglasses also. Now I buy the sunscreen clothes, and actually they make me feel cooler than a tank top. Doc said you can't put on enough sunscreen, you need the clothes and hat. IF you protect yourself from the sun, you'll also be stalling off the wrinkles!

My holistic health practioner recommends coconut oil instead of chemical laced sunscreens that contain cancer causing ingredients, also limit the amount of time in the sun...best thing to do is cover up with hat and loose fitting clothing

I've lived in Florida since I was a teenager and I've ruined my skin from sun exposure. I remember back in the late 1960's coating myself in baby oil and lying on the beach for hours in the intense sun!! But, that was before I'd heard of skin cancer and before I knew about protecting my skin from the damaging rays of the sun ... before all the SPF was added to sunscreen/lotion. I've had a couple of actinic keratosis removed from my face the past few years, they are pre-cancerous raised spots caused by the suns utraviolet ray's. I use SPF 15 moisturizer daily but my dermatologist also recommended that I use Zinc Oxide on a daily basis as well. When she first said that I cringed and asked, "You mean you expect me to wear that white goop that surfers wear on their faces?" She laughed and told me about the SPF 45 Clear Zinc Oxide that looks white in the jar but goes on clear ... I now wear it every day after I apply my moisturizer! I always wear a baseball cap when I'm working outdoors, when we are out on the boat or going for our daily walk because my head tends to get sunburned. As LindaTX8 stated, the sun here in the south may be a bit more intense than other area's ... but Everyone, everywhere should protect their skin from sun damage and possible skin cancer.

Our UV Index every day this week has been at 11: http://www.weatheronline.co.uk... which is at the extreme end of the scale but I coated myself with sunscreen before my 7:00 a.m. walk.

UV Index/ Exposure Level
2 or less Low
3 to 5 Moderate
6 to 7 High
8 to 10 Very High
11+ Extreme

Lin, thanks for that link. That an interesting site!

I also wear my hat while gardening, a nicely woven straw that helps my head breathe. I also make sure to put some cream on my face with UV protection, just because it is so dry outside. Then if is is so warm and I don't want to dab lotion on my arms, I have this long cotton gardening mittens that goes from the cuff all the way to my upper arm, so I can have some sunshield.

Oh don't forget to wear safety goggles/eyewear while gardening...soil might hit your eyes..or nasty bugs..

Lin, I'm going to find that clear zinc oxide. I'm always outside, and I've already ruined my skin, but I sure don't want to have skin cancers if I can help it. Thanks for posting this.

Sandi: It's great stuff! The one I have is called Ocean Potion Suncare (1 ounce) and it's in a little white tub with a blue and orange lid. I don't remember what the price was but I don't remember it being very expensive and I'm pretty sure I got it at Wal-Mart. I hope it's okay to post a picture of the product:

Thanks so much! I'm off to find it this afternoon!

You are very welcome!

Ya'll are good people.

Lin,

Did you notice if they make that product for sensitive skin?

Marilyn: I haven't seen it labeled for sensitive skin but I have extremely dry and sensitive skin and always worry when trying something new. I haven't had any adverse effects from using this product. I've had three dermatologists tell me about my sensitive skin and one dermatologist suggested that I should use this zinc oxide.

Thanks so much for the tip about the clear zinc oxide. It is now on my list for the next time we are at Wal-Mart. When we used to sail we used the white stuff on our noses and came off the boat looking like clowns. Be sure to wear a hat with a wide brim -- if you wear a cap your ears are vulnerable. I had a squamous cell carcinoma on my ear which required a skin graft after it was removed.

I couldn't find it and had DH look for it at CVS pharmacy. He came home with two kinds. I love it! I'm going to buy some for my daughter. When we lived in Tucson and had a pool, I would make her wear it across her nose and under her eyes. She looked like a raccoon!

Jean, I sailed in Hawaii for 3 yrs and developed large brown spots on my face (like some women get with pregnancy). I was horrified, but they went away after we returned to the mainland, thank goodness. I have a small scaley spot on my ear. You have me worried now.

Skin cancers and pre-cancerous spots are so easily cleared up if caught early. Get thee to your doctor! It is far better to be told it's nothing and feel silly, than to ignore it and have it turn out to be something nasty! DH had a rough scaly spot on his nose and finally went to a dermatologist; his turned out to be pre-cancerous and they told him he was lucky and to stay out of the sun.