Prompted by a post in another forum by Blake Shandle showing the lengths that he goes to to protect himself from skin cancer, I wondered what we feel about it here in the UK, particularly after a scorching weekend when I am sure many of us were out there for as long as possible.
I suppose after last year I tend to be a bit paranoid over the 'C' thing but I tend to just wear a hat if I remember and use a good sun block.
I went out yesterday Phil and just slapped on some factor 8 sun cream. However as a person of advancing years with a decidedly growing 'thatch' problem on the roof I do try to remember to wear a hat of some sort. Personally I don't think we really have enough strong sun in this country to worry too much about it.
With the sun as it is in May i use just sun cream, SPF 30+ which means i've not had sun burn, later in the summer, i use stronger cream and block, and if there is a breeze i'll wear someting to cover my arms, and something to cover my head/ears.
Wear a hat and long sleaved shirts, that's my advice. I think its those that go sun bathing abroad that are most at risk, don't know about you but its the first week of sun we've had in ages up here so our UV dose is hardly worth worrying about. We get a lot of our vitamin D from sunlight so we do need some.
Keep an eye out on skin moles going wierd, I think its only one type of skin cancer that's deadly and that's the mole one.
I foolishly forgot to take my hat and sun cream out on Saturday , lesson learn't. I usually have stong sun cream and a hat with a brim that covers my ears.
I never bothered with sun-screen in my youth Phil, and tended not to get too hung-up on it.
However, in recent years it has played on my mind, and tend to always wear long sleeves now, and seek out shady areas when walking, if and when possible.
I don't bother with potions either Phil - Tim is spot on, hat and sleeves rule.
You can buy very lightweight fine mesh cammo oversuits - over trousers and a jacket with a zip up the front, and they weigh only a few ounces and you can screw them up and stuff them in a pocket.
They are dead cheap - they are made for shooters doing summer woodpigeon control and the like, I bought two a couple of years ago and they are very cool, you don't know you are wearing them and they stop your arms from getting burned.
The sun here is much stronger than people think, especially around this time of year. "Oh, its just Spring, can't do any harm..." You can still burn in 30mins. You do need to be careful. We, as nature photographers, spend a far greater time out in the sun than most people. A multiplying factor is that we also sit very still for long periods. You wouldn't go an sunbath for 10 hours without protection would you?
I am only 33, but have inherited my 'lack of thatching' from my dad. I always where a hat now, no buts. In the peak of summer and abroad this is a wide-brimmed hat. Yep, I look like a dork, but I don't care. People with great big blisters on their head and neck or throwing up with sunstroke don't look particularly cool either! Rather than having to keep slapping on sticky creams I wear long sleeves and trousers made of lightweight 'whicking' materials and wear factor 30 on my face and hands. Look after yourselves! You will never see me in shorts, T-shits and sandals!
I have always been 'told' to wear sun cream everyday of the year, yes even in the best &worst of british weather, of at least 40SPF.
WHY? I had a kidney transplant and all the medication tends to disagree with my bodies way of dealing with the the sun and it's effects. I must admit I haven't ever really used it apart from May to September but the advice is there for a good reason even if you don't have the problems I have.
Saying about this weekend, does anyone else thing that this is a clear sign of global warming, seeing as the normal average for this time of year is supposed to be around 14c-16c? Am I the only one worried about the clear signs.
No Drew, not global warming - it's been hotter & sunnier in May before. Just seems OTT after the grey and miserable winter we've had.
Having also lost close family to cancers (one to skin cancer), it isn't something I intend experiencing myself if I can avoid it! Sun is something we should watch out for - as Elliot said, we're often out in it for hours, and with our backs to it too...so you get the strongest exposure on the top of the head and back of your neck. Yes, I use a strong SPF when needed. Suffering from burnt skin and heatstroke aint fun so I tend to cover up if possible, and make sure I drink plenty of water too.
dunno about u guys but i always go for spf protection clothes. Most of the good outdoors stores stock them and u can get them relatively cheap from big sports shops like decathlon. I guess cos i do a lot of my shooting in the tropics where strong sun is the norm all year long, i have a lot of such clothing. Also, the long sleeves etc help keep to keep the bugs out in the tropics and the sweat u break out is well worth the protection both from bugs and the sun.
"Personally I don't think we really have enough strong sun in this country to worry too much about it."
Ooh, Robert, I would have to disagree very strongly. Perhaps no need to worry as such, but most definitely don't ignore it. The risks are very real and the incidence of skin cancer is rising dramatically. Simple but methodical protection is well worth it - even in Scotland!
Wide brim hat, strong sun cream, cover exposed areas - you'll still get plenty vitamin D for the bones. Interesting and very worthwhile post!
Yes, interesting topic! The sun really is strong in this country, certainly strong enough to harm. I have quite fair skin, and freckles so I always slap on the sun block - factor 22+. (Whether out photographing or not) I've found some like superdrugs own brand for sensitive skin are pretty good and not horrible and sticky. There's also some made by GreenPeople thats made from all natural ingrediants - no chemicals or nasties, but I've yet to try that one.
Think its also worth mentioning to protect your eyes too, pretty important in our line of work! My grandad suffers from macular degeneration, UV is a big factor in causing/contributing to this, so I try to wear sunnies as much as possible...although they've just broken...
Thanks all for the replies, it is a very interesting subject with lots of different views, me, I think I am going to be taking a bit more care, a lot of my hair has slipped down to my chin so I am going to have to remember to wear that hat...
Discussion
15 repliesPrompted by a post in another forum by Blake Shandle showing the lengths that he goes to to protect himself from skin cancer, I wondered what we feel about it here in the UK, particularly after a scorching weekend when I am sure many of us were out there for as long as possible.
I suppose after last year I tend to be a bit paranoid over the 'C' thing but I tend to just wear a hat if I remember and use a good sun block.
What do others here do?
Best
Phil
Keep an eye out on skin moles going wierd, I think its only one type of skin cancer that's deadly and that's the mole one.
Here's a link
http://www.skincancerfacts.org.uk/facts.asp
Tim
However, in recent years it has played on my mind, and tend to always wear long sleeves now, and seek out shady areas when walking, if and when possible.
Alan
You can buy very lightweight fine mesh cammo oversuits - over trousers and a jacket with a zip up the front, and they weigh only a few ounces and you can screw them up and stuff them in a pocket.
They are dead cheap - they are made for shooters doing summer woodpigeon control and the like, I bought two a couple of years ago and they are very cool, you don't know you are wearing them and they stop your arms from getting burned.
I just wear a hat (with a brim all the way round - like my little picture below!) and sunglasses!
I am only 33, but have inherited my 'lack of thatching' from my dad. I always where a hat now, no buts. In the peak of summer and abroad this is a wide-brimmed hat. Yep, I look like a dork, but I don't care. People with great big blisters on their head and neck or throwing up with sunstroke don't look particularly cool either! Rather than having to keep slapping on sticky creams I wear long sleeves and trousers made of lightweight 'whicking' materials and wear factor 30 on my face and hands. Look after yourselves! You will never see me in shorts, T-shits and sandals!
Has anyone actually told you that Andy?
WHY? I had a kidney transplant and all the medication tends to disagree with my bodies way of dealing with the the sun and it's effects. I must admit I haven't ever really used it apart from May to September but the advice is there for a good reason even if you don't have the problems I have.
Saying about this weekend, does anyone else thing that this is a clear sign of global warming, seeing as the normal average for this time of year is supposed to be around 14c-16c? Am I the only one worried about the clear signs.
Drew
Having also lost close family to cancers (one to skin cancer), it isn't something I intend experiencing myself if I can avoid it! Sun is something we should watch out for - as Elliot said, we're often out in it for hours, and with our backs to it too...so you get the strongest exposure on the top of the head and back of your neck. Yes, I use a strong SPF when needed. Suffering from burnt skin and heatstroke aint fun so I tend to cover up if possible, and make sure I drink plenty of water too.
Ooh, Robert, I would have to disagree very strongly. Perhaps no need to worry as such, but most definitely don't ignore it. The risks are very real and the incidence of skin cancer is rising dramatically. Simple but methodical protection is well worth it - even in Scotland!
Wide brim hat, strong sun cream, cover exposed areas - you'll still get plenty vitamin D for the bones. Interesting and very worthwhile post!
Think its also worth mentioning to protect your eyes too, pretty important in our line of work! My grandad suffers from macular degeneration, UV is a big factor in causing/contributing to this, so I try to wear sunnies as much as possible...although they've just broken...
Once again many thanks to you all.
All the best
Phil