Sunburn and Sunscreen
Too cool to use sunscreen? Think carefully. Working on a yacht will expose you to harmful rays of the sun in a very intense way. The sun can burn down very powerfully between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
But not only do these rays burn down but you will find that working on the white, reflective surfaces that you get on most yachts and being surrounded by reflective water you will be inflicting a double dose of sun on your skin with harmful rays burning up too. So not only will you be getting the sun from above you will also get around a further 70% of the ultraviolet rays being reflected back up at you from below.
A number of studies have shown that repeated sunburn significantly increases the risk for melanoma, skin cancer. Several studies associate severe childhood or adolescent sunburns with the development of malignant melanoma, a potentially lethal form of skin cancer, later in life.
There are six basic skin types:
- Always burns easily, never tans, extremely sun sensitive skin red-headed, freckles, Irish/Scots /Welsh.
- Always burns easily, tans minimally, very sun sensitive skin, fair-skinned, fair haired, blue-eyed, caucasians.
- Sometimes burns, tans gradually to light brown, sun sensitive skin.
- Burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown, minimally sun sensitive Mediterranean-type caucasians.
- Rarely burns, tans well, sun insensitive skin middle eastern, some hispanics, some African-Americans.
- Never burns, deeply pigmented, sun insensitive skin, African-Americans.
Regardless of your skin type it is recommended that a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 should be used year-round. If you are intending being in the sun for more than twenty minutes you should use a sunscreen. Sunscreens used daily may even help repair damaged skin. An error a lot of people make is assuming that because the sun is not shining and it is a cloudy day they won’t get sunburnt. Wrong. Even on cloudy days as much as 80% of the sun’s rays get through the cloud barrier.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens are rated or classified by the strength of their SPF. The SPF numbers on the packaging can range from as low as 2 to as high as 60. These numbers refer to the product’s ability to screen or block out the sun’s burning rays. The sunscreen SPF rating is worked out by comparing the amount of time needed to produce sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause sunburn on the unprotected skin.
What sort of sunscreen should I use?
Is it better to use an oil, wax, gel or cream? Is it better to use water-resistant or not? Sunscreens are available in many forms including ointments, creams, gels, lotions and wax sticks. The type of sunscreen you choose is a matter of personal choice. Gels need to be reapplied frequently (as they sweat off and wash off most easily), but acne-prone people might find them preferable.
Water-resistant sunscreens are just that, water-resistant not water proof. All sunscreens need to be reapplied but water-resistant sunscreen should be reapplied about every 2 hours and always after swimming or strenuous activity. Sunscreens rub off as well as wash off, so if you towel dry remember to reapply waterproof sunscreen for continued protection.
How much sunscreen should be used, and how often should it be applied?
Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. When applying sunscreen, pay particular attention to the face, hands and arms, and coat the skin liberally. One ounce, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Be careful to cover exposed areas completely – a missed spot could mean patchy, painful sunburn. Don’t forget your lips. They can get badly sunburned too, so use a lip balm that contains sunscreen, preferably with a SPF of 15 or higher.
What is the difference between a sunscreen and a sunblock?
Sunscreens chemically absorb UV rays. Sunblocks physically deflect them.
What else can I use to protect myself?
The very best way of protecting yourself from the sun is by staying out of it completely. For many in this line of work though, this is simply not an option. Wear protective clothing where possible and wide brimmed hats to protect the face, ears and neck. Current sunscreen preparations are not sufficiently protective to be used as the sole means of sun protection. Sunscreens should be viewed as a back up to primary means of sun protection such as shirts, hats and sun avoidance.
How to treat sunburn
In case you forget to cover up and apply sunscreen, the resulting sunburn can be dangerous. There are several types of burns and burn treatments.
Remember that you may not immediately see the effects of overexposure to the sun. It may take up to 24 hours before the full damage is visible. The two most common are first degree burns and second degree burns.
First-degree sunburns can cause redness and will heal, possibly with some peeling, within a few days. This type can be sore and are best treated with cool baths and bland moisturisers or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Ingested Aspirin may lessen early development of sunburn.
Second-degree sunburns blister and can be considered a medical emergency if a large area is affected. When a burn is severe, accompanied by a headache, chills or a fever, seek medical help right away. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun while it heals and thereafter.
