sun protection and skin cancer.

[gcogger]

I'm a redhead with very pale skin, so some kind of sun screen is essential for me on the bike. Just as important as the SPF is to find something that doesn't stop working when you're exercising (and sweating!) - there's no point using factor 50 if it wears off before the end of the ride. The best I've found for that is Riemann P20 range. It's also unperfumed, which is a bonus.

[bikepacker]

Over the last ten years I have had 4 skin lesions removed from my legs, part of my left ear and a large malignant cyst from my neck. On top of that I had to have two courses of Efudix Cream treatment (basically chemotherapy based ointment) for facial sun damage and mild cancers.

Up until my wife had cancer 4 years ago I spent a large part of the year outdoors cycle touring. Spending that much time outdoors with my fair skin has always been a problem. Over the years I have tried many sun creams and lotions including all of the proprietary brands and never found one that is totally safe. At the present time I use Ultrasun factor 50, a brand I came across in Switzerland and it seems to be working better than others. All though a stated once a day cream I use two application on the sunniest days and during summer months.

[ANTONISH]

I believe that Australia forbids sun cream manufacturers from claiming a higher protection factor than 15.
The method of application also has a huge influence on the efficacy of the sun cream - and how many users renew the application as often as they should?
I usually use around factor 20 - I don't know if I really apply it effectively.

[mattheus]

... something that doesn't stop working when you're exercising (and sweating!) - there's no point using factor 50 if it wears off before the end of the ride. The best I've found for that is Riemann P20 range. It's also unperfumed, which is a bonus.

Yup, I've used P20 for years now - not the cheapest, but well, you know ... I also find it doesn't stain clothes/furniture.

I DO burn if I forget lotion, but I've never burned where I've applied the P20.

(4 day ride in Scotland this weekend - that's bound to test my tactics, right?!?)

[Jdsk]

I believe that Australia forbids sun cream manufacturers from claiming a higher protection factor than 15.

SPF 50+, same as the EU:
https://www.tga.gov.au/community-qa/sun ... -consumers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen ... d_labeling

Jonathan

[Tricyclebell]

Yes I use P20. It is supposed to last 10 hours which is good but unfortunately it really stains your clothes....a small price to apy.

[Dingdong]

I'm dark haired and dark skin, but I only really use suntan cream July and August

[axel_knutt]

Back in my fellwalking days I used to use a Uvistat cream because it claimed to be sweat resistant and last 8 hours, but it eventually became impossible to find. These days I have a bottle of Nivea, which is durable to the point of being a PITA to wash off. It takes 2-3 showers to get rid of it. Some creams say apply them several hours before use, and/or re-apply every couple of hours, or after sweating, which are about as much use as a chocolate teapot for touring.

[Tricyclebell]

Having to apply every 2 hours when you are out touring nearly becomes a full time job. Everyone seems to have found what fits best with their style of cycling our outdoor activity in general. It is good to call on the extensive knowledge of members, experience in the field is everything.

[Tangled Metal]

Rieter have started to do higher SPF version I believe. Doesn't last full strength that long as I've started to burn in less than stated hours of effectiveness.

I once had a friend who was very fair skinned such that she went white as her suntan! Seriously a medical condition that she couldn't be outside in the sun for long at all. She put the rieter on leaving it to be absorbed for half hour, then another layer and half hour wait. Then she applied a SPF 50 on top and waited half hour before going out. Best part of 2 hours routine. The SPF 50 outer layer gets reappl every couple of hours and she often wore trousers and long sleeves plus wide brimmed hat and buff.

BTW better to cover up with clothes than gunk. Craghopp and Rohan make decent solutions. There's things I'm sunscreen that isn't exactly for you neither.

[Bonefishblues]

BTW better to cover up with clothes than gunk.

This.

A lot of fishermen now sport buffs and look like this guy below, often with sun gloves too, but despite carrying both by way of insurance in case the worst happens and I get burnt, I can't get on with them for all-day wear.

[Tangled Metal]

So you carry them for when or if you get burnt? Surely that's too late?!

You wear them to stop getting burnt and getting skin damage that cumulatively increases your risk of skin cancer and such problems. Carrying them for when the damage is done is like a motorbike carrying leathers and a helmet on the bike in case he has an off. Dress for the ride (or the off) is i think a biker motto. Of you're outside for a long time I think you should dress for the sun.

IME wearing a long sleeve outdoor shirt over a wicking base layer is actually cooler than wearing just the base layer. Loose and protective. Mine has a triple fold out collar to cover my neck where my brimmed hat doesn't. Works well for me and saves me having to reapply greasy gunk every two hours.

[Bonefishblues]

So you carry them for when or if you get burnt? Surely that's too late?!

You wear them to stop getting burnt and getting skin damage that cumulatively increases your risk of skin cancer and such problems. Carrying them for when the damage is done is like a motorbike carrying leathers and a helmet on the bike in case he has an off. Dress for the ride (or the off) is i think a biker motto. Of you're outside for a long time I think you should dress for the sun.

I don't like wearing those two items, despite having tried them to give me total cover, hence the extensive regime I described earlier. I think I have a pretty good understanding of the need to protect, and rather a good armoury of clothing designed to do just that.

In 30+ trips, spending 7-8 hours a day on the water in the Tropics, I've been burnt once, on maybe 2sq ins of the back of my right hand, but I'm a belt and braces kind of guy, so when I fly a long way to do this, I take every precaution to make sure I am able to fish for a full week, no matter what - and I've missed only one morning out of that time, and I'm afraid that was self-inflicted, due to some previous evening over-indulgence, iyswim.

I am however grateful for the feedback, which may also be useful to others.

[Ray]

I wonder what sun cream/lotion is used buy pro cyclists, who spend hours exposed to hot sunshine? They'd be looking for something that continues to be effective despite sweating profusely. You'd think older or retired pros might have a problem with skin cancer, but I can't say I've heard that this is the case.

[Tangled Metal]

So you carry them for when or if you get burnt? Surely that's too late?!

You wear them to stop getting burnt and getting skin damage that cumulatively increases your risk of skin cancer and such problems. Carrying them for when the damage is done is like a motorbike carrying leathers and a helmet on the bike in case he has an off. Dress for the ride (or the off) is i think a biker motto. Of you're outside for a long time I think you should dress for the sun.

I don't like wearing those two items, despite having tried them to give me total cover, hence the extensive regime I described earlier. I think I have a pretty good understanding of the need to protect, and rather a good armoury of clothing designed to do just that.

In 30+ trips, spending 7-8 hours a day on the water in the Tropics, I've been burnt once, on maybe 2sq ins of the back of my right hand, but I'm a belt and braces kind of guy, so when I fly a long way to do this, I take every precaution to make sure I am able to fish for a full week, no matter what - and I've missed only one morning out of that time, and I'm afraid that was self-inflicted, due to some previous evening over-indulgence, iyswim.

I am however grateful for the feedback, which may also be useful to others.

Sorry if that sounded critical I didn't understand what you'd posted or at least didn't understand what you did to cope with UV skin damage conditions. You carry the items but use the gunk option instead. Perfectly good solution but I had the idea you took coverings for protection but didn't use it until damage had started. I forgot about earlier gunk related posts.

BTW I call it gunk whether it's lotion, cream, oils or sprays of whatever. It's all gunk to me. I hate the stuff and view it as last resort not first resort. Perhaps the opposite opinion to you.

Whatever your system of skin protection doesn't matter so long as you're protected. Skin cancer is possibly the most preventable type.