Sun is much stronger in Taiwan?

[Lili]

Jesus, ChinaCat. Glad you're feeling better.



I was in Danshui this weekend and the sun was a-shining. I had on my L'Oreal foundation with SPF 15, shorts, and a mid-length shirt.
My thighs and forearms got reddened and hot for a few hours, but everything else is fine. But now I'm stuck with a farmer's tan lol
I think the SPF 15 was just enough to keep my face from burning and today I woke up with a nice little redness that doesnt hurt and I think will form into a bit of a tan
Looking forward to beach day this Sunday!

[Icon]

Lilli, go 30, reapply frequently. Take care. BB creams with UV protection are great, as well as UV block clothes.

[Just Jennifer]

Lilli, go 30, reapply frequently. Take care. BB creams with UV protection are great, as well as UV block clothes.

Icon, what are BB creams?

I am a Pacific islander so my children and I tan very easily. Should we be as concerned as you fair-skinned folk?

Lili, I have a strange tan that someone pointed out to me recently. My legs from the knees down are darker than the rest of me.

[Kal El]

I am a Pacific islander so my children and I tan very easily. Should we be as concerned as you fair-skinned folk?

Nope, not as much. Whitey is the most at risk, although even black Africans can get sun burned, especially red haired pale skinned white folks. The more naturally dark you are, the more natural protection you have via melanin activation. That said, sunscreen still won't hurt, especially on a day outing to the beach etc.

[jimipresley]

even black Africans can get sun burned, especially red haired pale skinned white folks.

[Kal El]

even black Africans can get sun burned, especially red haired pale skinned white folks.

Look again: "Whitey is the most at risk, although even black Africans can get sun burned, especially red haired pale skinned white folks."

Did you notice the two commas?

[Lili]

Lili, I have a strange tan that someone pointed out to me recently. My legs from the knees down are darker than the rest of me.

Mine is the exact opposite
Thighs are tanned, calves are as white as the night is dark. A straight line will start to appear in a few weeks right across my knee cap.

I read its because of the amount of melanin in your different parts of your body. Also how much moisture is present.
Its so annoying.

[ChinaCat]

Hey folks... Just a reminder. Its July and the Sun is very big. Be careful out there, and cover yourselves and your kids.

Here's what my arms (OK, I only photographed one arm/hand) look like now, 2 weeks into treatment:



Arms and hands swollen, and uncomfortable:



The medicine is working well... Here's my face back at day 9 and now, 2 weeks after ending treatment on my face:

[Dragonbones]

Just a reminder: do NOT handle citrus (e.g. zesting or squeezing lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruit) or celery and then head out into the afternoon summer sun in Taiwan. If you do handle these, before heading out, wash your hands and forearms thoroughly with plenty of soap and hot water, twice. Some of you may know this, but others not, and if you mess this up you may be very miserable.

[divea]

Just a reminder: do NOT handle citrus (e.g. zesting or squeezing lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruit) or celery and then head out into the afternoon summer sun in Taiwan. If you do handle these, before heading out, wash your hands and forearms thoroughly with plenty of soap and hot water, twice. Some of you may know this, but others not, and if you mess this up you may be very miserable.

Why? I don't know about this. I squeeze lemons all the time. and ofcourse I wash my hands, but never heard of this. You get a sun burn?

[Dragonbones]

Yup, in little spots starting at the hands and thinning out as you go up the wrists and forearms, just as a pattern of jumping oil drops would create. Very serious burns.

[Icon]

Lilli, go 30, reapply frequently. Take care. BB creams with UV protection are great, as well as UV block clothes.

Icon, what are BB creams?

I am a Pacific islander so my children and I tan very easily. Should we be as concerned as you fair-skinned folk?

Lili, I have a strange tan that someone pointed out to me recently. My legs from the knees down are darker than the rest of me.

It's like an all in one kind of cream. You will have frequent breakouts with all that sweat, so, this kind of cream kind of controls that, and has UV protection. Remember to protect your nack and nape, too. Use lipstick not gloss. Gloss lets light go through, and with it the bad rays. Skin cancer on the lips is very serious. Oh, and extra care on the nose.

Everyone should be concerned. I am Latina and I don't tan. I have a polka dot back, but I never show skin here. Do as Taiwanese, but more fashionably: cover up with a pretty UV proof shirt -meaning not a granny flowered oversize half cut one, but a decent, nice jacket like from Patagonia, for instance.

Maybe the lower part of your legs gets more sunshine? Lilli's tan line sounds strange.

The UV levels are reported daily. For instance, this week, it is really dangerous to go outside between 10 am and 4 pm, so it is better to avoid outdoor activities at that time -it is also going to be about 36 degrees up North, so, anyways...

[Dragonbones]

The UV levels are reported daily.

Here's one site for that: http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/observe/UVI/UVI.htm

[Just Jennifer]

Gosh, I completely missed the last five or so posts, don't know what's up with that, but especially sorry not to acknowledge ChinaCat's. CC, the most recent photo looks great and I hope the swelling and discomfort is now completely gone.

Thanks for the tip about the sunblock.

I never purposely tan--never needed to--but I also don't do enough to protect my skin, judging from Icon's post. Ladies, what is your favorite brand of sunblock for face and lips? (A link to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.org would so helpful!)