Sun Strategies

[MattsCath]

Ok, firsttimer goes to WDW with her fair skinned boyfriend... wondering how you can protect yourself from the Florida sun ALL DAY LONG??
I know, SPF this and baseball cap that, but honestly, I was diligent about my 45 last year while on a Navajo reservation and I got Sun Poisoning!! So I am very concerned about this. I don't want it to ruin my trip. I was wondering where are the shaded areas, should I just go for a long sleeved tee or will i be too hot, waterproof versus repeated applications, particular products that work well... as you can see i plan plan plan!
I just don't want my romantic trip with the two of us looking like lobsters. Thanks!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Doctors recommend wearing at least an SPF 30 (preferably 45) and reapplying it every 2 hours (not 6-8 like the bottle says). Keep going in and out from the cool areas to the hot sun outside. YOU CAN NOT WEAR A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, YOU CAN NOT GIVE YOUR SELF HEAT STROKE! Also you didn't mention when you were going, the sun in August is very different than October. Give a little more Information and maybe I can help you a little more.

 

[MattsCath]

I'm going August 12th!
I'm just really nervous because I don't want to be a party pooper, but my forearms are already sensitive from my burn last year. I was on some prescription medication and I asked my dermatologist if I would be ok on this trip ... he said as long as I wore spf 40 I'd be fine. Wrong! My skin started to bubble, and in the Southwest, there's no escaping the sun! I ended up hiking in a long sleeved white t because that was the only way i could protect the burn i already have.

(sigh!)

THE END

 

[cuteypatooty78]

Oh Mattscath I know how you feel. I burn a lot too and my dermatologist doesn't want me to be exposed to the sun too much due to a family history of skin cancer and the fact that my last mole I had taken off was a form of pre cancer. I guess we both need to remember to apply that sun screen!

 

[Seano846]

Try this link for protective clothing

http://www.sunprecautions.com/index.htm

 

[Worldphile]

I too am very fair skinned and bun easily. We went to WDW several years ago in August for our honeymoon.

The thing to remember about August is that the parks are open later. I think the MK stays open until midnight some nights. So, we shifted our schedule. We would sleep late and hit the parks later in the day. This not only allowed us to avoid the heat of the day, but also avoid the crowds. The MK really emptied out after Fantasy in the Sky. During the day, we would visit other hotels or visit a park with a lot of indoor attractions (MGM and Epcot.)

Also, I recommend Coppertone Sport sunscreen. It is waterproof and I've found it to be pretty resistant to perspiration. So, even though you are sweating in the FL sun and humidity, it still does a pretty good job of protecting you.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

My family are all blessed with fair skin and in the UK we are well used to the rain.
When holidaying in Florida (April) we experience hot sun for most of the day yet we cope because we are prepared.
Suncream - plenty of applications of a high factor,
Make use of shadey areas around the parks - waiting in lines isn't easy but when waiting for the parades choose a spot for protection from the sun rather than for the vantage point,
Visit indoor (air conditioned) attractions when the sun is at its hottest between midday and early afternoon,
Wear a hat - nearly everyone else does.
It is important to have a good time but your health is more important
:wave:

 

[One Lil Spark]

Your best bet I think is to just go back to the dermatologist and ask him for a quick prescription for a good sun screen for you (cough, cough, and the boyfriend, but don't tell him that) and just have it for piece of mind knowing you have something that WILL work no matter what. Store bought sunscreens are NOTHING compared to real sunscreens. If you have to get a store-bought one though, I recommend one that has a bug repellent in it if you can find it there. (We have them where I am.) Most of the store bought ones have a tropical smell that makes the infamous Florida mosquito find you no matter where you are. I'm not sure what would be worse, being a lobster together, or being one HUGE mosquito bite! EEEKKK!!!

 

[figmentmom]

I'm very fair, too, so I have lots of sympathy. This might sound odd, but no kidding, it has helped me a time or two. Take an umbrella; when you are stuck in the sun (waiting for a parade, etc.) and there's no shade nearby, put up your umbrella.

The only drawback to this is that, of course, you have to be careful not to bump into anyone sitting (or walking) nearby, but it can be done with care and courtesy. I've been poked by about a million more strollers than umbrellas, that's for sure! :lol:

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by figmentmom
Take an umbrella; when you are stuck in the sun (waiting for a parade, etc.) and there's no shade nearby, put up your umbrella.

I was going to suggest that! It covers you a lot more than a hat.

Also, I agree on the prescription sunblock, but still a 100 sunblock could work. I wore it in Orlando when I worked under the sun and I got tanned (I was sooo dark when I came back home) but never burnt.

I would second the long sleeve t-shirt... Make sure it is WHITE! Do not wear dark colors or you will have a heat stroke for sure. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and exercise common sense. Drink a lot of water and carry a moisturizer with you that you can apply at nights to heal your skin.

The good thing about Orlando is that it is very humid, so it´s harder to get dehydrated, that´s why you sweat a lot and feel sticky, but you also need to drink a lot of water to compensate for the one you are loosing.

I can´t think of anything else now that others haven´t suggested...

Have fun and be careful! :animwink:

 

[figmentmom]

One more thing - a long-sleeved shirt (a WHITE one - Maria's right!) can be a godsend, especially if you make sure it's a 100% cotton sheeting, not cotton knit, loose-fitting men's shirt.

Stay cool and have fun!:animwink:

 

[tybroid59]

Today I saw some really cool looking blouses with loose long sleeves the ones styled like gypsy tops id say they looked like a good idea ..................

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by tybroid59
Today I saw some really cool looking blouses with loose long sleeves the ones styled like gypsy tops id say they looked like a good idea ..................

That´s what I had in mind.... something loose, not really a "t-shirt"... just make sure it is 100% cotton as figmentmom said, nothing in nylon or synthetic fabrics... :animwink:

 

[all_good_chic]

There are these really neat sun bandages you can buy. I am not sure wear ( i know that doesn't really help) but cheak a drugstore cause that would be a logical place. ANywho you put the bandages on your arm, leg or somewhere on your body that is exposed to the sun. When you have had to much sun the bandage turns a different colour telling you it's time to seek shade. I think its a pretty cool idea! i wish i had more info on it though.

 

[MattsCath]

Thanks!

You've all been very helpful!
Now I'm on the hunt for a men's white T and some of those sun bandages. Hey have you ever noticed how sometimes when you are out in the sun your skin looks fine, then a minute or two later when you're inside you see the burn? Isn't that weird??

 

[cuteypatooty78]

I need Advice!

My grandmother bought me a bottle of Avon brand sunblock with insect repellent included. Well it says on the bottle its an SPF 30. Do you think this is good or do I need something more like a SPF 45?

 

[tiggerlover1971]

cutey just keep reappling the sun block my husband is red hair freckles and gets sunpoisoning and the one thing is that we make sure he reapllies every couple of hours or less ps he wears a short sleeve shirt and is quite short so his shorts go down below is knees he is 5feet 8

 

[bearboysnc]

I too am extremely fair skinned. I found Banana Boat Waterbaby waterproof sunblock with an SPF of 50. It works great.

Theres plenty of shade. I had a few problems in some queues. Where you HAVE to stand in the sun.

My main problem was my neck. I started wearing a bandana around my neck to sheild it from the sun. It looks kinda geeky, but it works great. You can also keep cool by getting this bandana wet or wrapping an ice cube in it. Not too much ice though, that could be bad.

 

[all_good_chic]

Oh one more thing. Watch out for splash mountain. If the line is twisting and turning outside, skip it and come back when its not as long. When i was younger i waited 2 hours in that line and burnt to a crisp, OUCH! this goes for other rides too. If the line looks like it spends a lot of time outside its not worth it.

 

[Juggler]

I'm from England, so we really are not used to the (normally) great weather you have in Florida. On my first visit to Orlando I got really badly burned at a water park and I've been paranoid ever since.

Someone recommended using something called P20. It's a sunblock that you apply 40 minutes before you go out in the sun. It bonds with your skin and as long as you apply it correctly, you need only apply it once in the day. Even is you go swimming.

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/product/63211.html

I don't travel with out it!

But by the sounds of the weather at the moment it's a wet suit you'll need.

81 Days to my next visit!!!