Sunscreen?

T

thomasdoan

New User
My tennis season just started today and I got a major sunburn after team tennis.

I need help on finding a sunscreen that'll help me through the sunny days of Houston, but I'm not sure which one to get?

Would a spray or cream you rub on be better and what kind of SPF should I get if I want to avoid as much UVA and UVB rays as possible?(I was born white, but due to tennis my skin is now a light/fair brown if that helps at all.)
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
You need a cream or lotion to put on BEFORE you get dressed and give it plenty of time to sink into your skin and form a protective barrier. You should get a spray for reapplication later, if you are out for more than 2 hours.

Any SPF over 15 is good, 30 is better. Anything higher than that is basically marketing hooey and should be ignored (stupid FDA won't put the new regs into effect).

The most important thing is that your product have one of the UVA blocking ingredients. You have to look at the back of the bottle, in the ACTIVE INGREDIENTS, for Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), or Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide. Ignore any product that does not contain one of those ingredients.

Some good brand names to try (based on correct ingredients, not performance):

Aveeno
Ocean Potion (smell it first, some of their lotions smell like oranges)
Neutrogena Ultra (a lot of people like this one).
 
WildVolley

WildVolley

Legend
Something to consider is that you're probably going to need to reapply the sunscreen if you sweat a lot. I find that I need to reapply after about two hours or less or else the sweat washes the sunscreen off of my face.
 
T

thomasdoan

New User
Wow, thanks for the information Fee!

I do sweat a lot so I'll probably reapply inbetween matches.

Thanks for the info.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
WildVolley said:
Something to consider is that you're probably going to need to reapply the sunscreen if you sweat a lot. I find that I need to reapply after about two hours or less or else the sweat washes the sunscreen off of my face.
Click to expand...

If you apply your sunscreen before you get dressed and let it really sink into your skin, it can still leave a fair barrier despite your sweat. Zinc based products are better for people who sweat a lot, and a stick would be really good for you to use around your eyes and ears. I think Neutrogena is the only company that still makes a good stick (I need to look into that some more).

If you need to reapply, get some of those baby wipe portable packs to wipe your hands with. Those seem to do a better job of cleaning your hands than just regular hand wipes. I use Huggies unscented, no alcohol wipes in a reusable carry case (also good and nonirritating for my face).
 
0range

0range

Hall of Fame
If you have naturally pale skin I suggest you use at least SPF 30 (45 is better) for playing sports under hot sun.

Just be sure that you applied enough and reapply after sweating.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
45 isnt really better, that's why it doesn't exist under the new FDA guidelines (which they keep delaying because the cosmetic companies want to make money off their SPF 70 BS). The new guidelines will have 30 and 30+ as the highest SPF ratings.

The best protection you can give yourself is to use the correct ingredients and to apply them properly, at least 20 minutes before you go outside into the sun.
 
S

sn1974

Rookie
i have yet to find a good solution. i live in the tropics (14 degrees north of the equator) and i play tennis 2 - 4 times a week, 2 hours at a time. i apply SPF 30 right after i get out of the shower, about 30 minutes before i play. that's the only reason i even bother showering before getting all sweaty.

i use an SPF 30 so-called sports sunscreen. i've tried the aerosol spray SPF 50, too.

on my face i've used various products, the loreal SPF 50 with meroxyl (which is a great daily sunscreen, except when you sweat), zinc oxide based sunscreens, anything i can find that looks like it will work.

it's always hot here, so i sweat profusely but i try to blot the sweat off my face instead of wiping it (to keep the sunscreen on). lately i've even tried wearing tennis polos instead of tank tops to protect a little more of my skin.

and... nothing really works. the area between my socks and the bottom of my tennis skirt is 5 shades darker than my natural skin tone. i have little freckles on my face. i really worry about the damage i am doing to my skin.
 
S

sn1974

Rookie
Fee said:
The most important thing is that your product have one of the UVA blocking ingredients. You have to look at the back of the bottle, in the ACTIVE INGREDIENTS, for Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), or Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide. Ignore any product that does not contain one of those ingredients.
Click to expand...

btw, mexoryl is also an effective UVA blocker. not sure if it's been approved in the US yet but it's all over europe and asia.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
I use La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 20, comes out of the tests very good here in Europe, don't know if it's available in the States though. Only downside is the price, it's not cheap but i rather pay some more for a good product.
 
0range

0range

Hall of Fame
I noticed Europe gets the "good stuff" first.. and then the Americans... and then the Canadians................ :(

Speaking of good sunscreen, any of you notice how Kristof Vliegen keeps his skin so pale with such little sun damage (relatively speaking) at the "ripe of age" of 26?? (I saw him a bit at wimby this year)
 
N

Nellie

Hall of Fame
Look to the Aussies - always wear a hat and sunglasses. Patrick Rafter is aging very well.

If you always have a hat, all you need for sun is stick for your face and ears, and sports lotion for the rest of you. I like Blue Lizard, because it is the only highly recommended brand I can find easily in drug/ grocery stores.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
sn1974 said:
i have yet to find a good solution. i live in the tropics (14 degrees north of the equator) and i play tennis 2 - 4 times a week, 2 hours at a time. i apply SPF 30 right after i get out of the shower, about 30 minutes before i play.
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, showering right before you put your sunscreen on could be part of the problem. Your skin could be plumped up by the water from your shower and this reduces the effectiveness of the barrier that sunscreen is meant to provide. I would not shower before I applied sunscreen, I would just towel off, put the lotion on, let it set while I finished getting dressed and head outside 20 minutes later.


sn1974 said:
btw, mexoryl is also an effective UVA blocker. not sure if it's been approved in the US yet but it's all over europe and asia.
Click to expand...

Mexoryl is an excellent product, but I think it's still exclusive in the US to one company (L'Oreal maybe? I can't remember).

ericsson said:
I use La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 20, comes out of the tests very good here in Europe, don't know if it's available in the States though. Only downside is the price, it's not cheap but i rather pay some more for a good product.
Click to expand...

I think I've heard of this. Does it contain Mexoryl or one of the 3 ingredients I mentioned?

Nellie said:
Look to the Aussies - always wear a hat and sunglasses. Patrick Rafter is aging very well.

If you always have a hat, all you need for sun is stick for your face and ears, and sports lotion for the rest of you. I like Blue Lizard, because it is the only highly recommended brand I can find easily in drug/ grocery stores.
Click to expand...

If you have a hat, you need to put sunscreen on your face because you can still get burned by the reflection coming up off the court and the sidewalk. Sticks are great for around the eyes and the ears, I agree. I don't know what you mean by 'sports lotion', I just read the labels and look for the correct ingredients. Never rely on the advertising on the front, always turn the bottle over and look for the truth on the back.

Where is Blue Lizard sold? Don't think I've ever heard of it.
 
Z-Man

Z-Man

Professional
Anyone know what the SPF of a tennis shirt is? I see a lot of old guys and pros wearing long sleeves, even in the summertime. I do this too sometimes.
 
Loco4Tennis

Loco4Tennis

Hall of Fame
Z-Man said:
Anyone know what the SPF of a tennis shirt is? I see a lot of old guys and pros wearing long sleeves, even in the summertime. I do this too sometimes.
Click to expand...

i read somewhere (article online, recenttly) that the spf of a typical white t-shirt is like 7 or 8 or something low like that, not enough to what your suppose to have, they said shirts in general are not enough anymore and you can still get sunburn through them which is correct, arelly beat up white shirt will let the sun through fairly easy
the article also mentioned that darker colored shirts have a better spf value, like 3 or 4 more than the white t-shirts,but still not enough,
dark color shirts however get hot quicker, so it does not seem like a good idea to me ,, black shirt on a hot day, forget it!!
sunscreen?? i got a couple of types in my bag with me all the time, inside a empty ball can, incase they leak, coopertone and banana something or other, if its 35 spf, i wear it,
in really really hot days, i'll thrown on a hat or visor, i dont like them but you have to sometimes
 
Last edited:
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
Any other suggestions for good sunblocks?

I currently use Banana Boat Sport performance spf 30, with Avotriplex and hate it. Its supposed to be non greasy (says that on the bottle) but looks like you dumped crisco oil on your face. It also burns your skin when you put it on.

I also have recently used Neutrogena Ultra sheer, which sucks. It runs into your eyes and burns the f**k out of them.

Im on the court teaching several hours a day and really would like to find something good.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
Try the Aveeno products, or try to find an Ocean Potion formula that doesnt smell like oranges. You need a stick for your eyes since you spend so much time on court.

Some to consider:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=74612&catid=12101
(this is zinc, and will leave a white film)
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=69267&catid=12101
Yes, this one is Neutrogena, but it predates the Ultra Dry and uses a different formula so it should be okay. Buy it at Rite Aid, they will take it back if you react to it.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=150786&catid=12101
My girlfriend was reacting to some sunscreens and she finally found success with Hawaiian Tropic products, so this could be good

Those recommendations are based entirely on thier ingredient lists at Drugstore.com, and not on performance or anything else. If you buy one, double check the ingredients to make sure that it's correct.

Hey, they have Blue Lizard stuff, and it looks pretty decent. Zinc oxide based so it probably sticks like glue.
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
Fee said:
I think I've heard of this. Does it contain Mexoryl or one of the 3 ingredients I mentioned?
Click to expand...


Hi Fee, yes it does contain Mexoryl, below the text;



La Roche Posay Anthelios LAIT 20 SPF (with Mexoryl SX & Mexoryl XL) - 100mL - This milky liquid contains patented Mexoryl, considered by many experts to offer the widest-spectrum and longest-lasting UVA coverage available. A perfect facial sunscreen. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Lait SPF 20 - This milky liquid contains patented Mexoryl, considered by many experts to offer the widest-spectrum and longest-lasting UVA coverage available. Provides cellular protection. Especially designed for those who need the best quality sun protection. Fragrance Free

http://beauty.about.com/od/sunscree1/tp/sunscreenstop.htm
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
Fee said:
Try the Aveeno products, or try to find an Ocean Potion formula that doesnt smell like oranges. You need a stick for your eyes since you spend so much time on court.

Some to consider:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=74612&catid=12101
(this is zinc, and will leave a white film)
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=69267&catid=12101
Yes, this one is Neutrogena, but it predates the Ultra Dry and uses a different formula so it should be okay. Buy it at Rite Aid, they will take it back if you react to it.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=150786&catid=12101
My girlfriend was reacting to some sunscreens and she finally found success with Hawaiian Tropic products, so this could be good

Those recommendations are based entirely on thier ingredient lists at Drugstore.com, and not on performance or anything else. If you buy one, double check the ingredients to make sure that it's correct.

Hey, they have Blue Lizard stuff, and it looks pretty decent. Zinc oxide based so it probably sticks like glue.
Click to expand...

Thanks Fee, Ill check those out!
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
ericsson said:
Hi Fee, yes it does contain Mexoryl, below the text;



La Roche Posay Anthelios LAIT 20 SPF (with Mexoryl SX & Mexoryl XL) - 100mL - This milky liquid contains patented Mexoryl, considered by many experts to offer the widest-spectrum and longest-lasting UVA coverage available. A perfect facial sunscreen.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Lait SPF 20 - This milky liquid contains patented Mexoryl, considered by many experts to offer the widest-spectrum and longest-lasting UVA coverage available. Provides cellular protection. Especially designed for those who need the best quality sun protection. Fragrance Free

http://beauty.about.com/od/sunscree1/tp/sunscreenstop.htm
Click to expand...


And it's fragrance free, excellent. So what is the performance like? Spread easy, dry quickly, irritate your skin at all? This would be good info for the Europeans. :)

Shaolin said:
Thanks Fee, Ill check those out!
Click to expand...

Word. Please let us know what you think of them. :)
 
ericsson

ericsson

Hall of Fame
Fee said:
And it's fragrance free, excellent. So what is the performance like? Spread easy, dry quickly, irritate your skin at all? This would be good info for the Europeans. :)
Click to expand...

Performance is great, dry quick, don't irritate at all (and i have a sensitive skin) spreads easy but i have to say the cream is a little thick.
You should try it :)
 
T

thomasdoan

New User
Using Fee's information on sunscreens, I just bought Ocean Potion Oil Free Sports Xtreme Sunblock. It's SPF 30 and contains Parsol 1789/Avobenzone.

Hopefully it'll help in my next team tennis match on Tuesday.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
thomasdoan said:
Using Fee's information on sunscreens, I just bought Ocean Potion Oil Free Sports Xtreme Sunblock. It's SPF 30 and contains Parsol 1789/Avobenzone.

Hopefully it'll help in my next team tennis match on Tuesday.
Click to expand...

Please come back and tell us about the performance. It looks good on paper!
 
FastFreddy

FastFreddy

Semi-Pro
Spf 80

I use Hawaiin Tropic ozone ultimate spf 80. It just came out not to long ago. I used to use their spf 70 now I switched to the higer one. I don't know if the 80 is better than the 70 by its better than the coppertone 45 or 50 I use to wear. Like you said maybe anything over 30 is a waste of money but I feel more protected maybe its just in my head. but the higher spf seems to thicker compared to the 45 seems a little more water like.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
It is just in your head, there is no real difference between 50, 70, or 80, it's just marketing that the FDA is letting them get away with. Stupid FDA.
 
MegacedU

MegacedU

Professional
Nix sunscreen. The chemicals in it are worse for you than the burn is. Instead, eat lots of strawberries and blueberries and other things high in antioxidants, it will inhibit sunburn. I learned this after consulting a physician because I'm severely allergic to sunscreens and I'm also very fair skinned.
 
CanadianChic

CanadianChic

Hall of Fame
MegacedU said:
Nix sunscreen. The chemicals in it are worse for you than the burn is. Instead, eat lots of strawberries and blueberries and other things high in antioxidants, it will inhibit sunburn. I learned this after consulting a physician because I'm severely allergic to sunscreens and I'm also very fair skinned.
Click to expand...

The UV rays on the skin is what causes skin damage. It is irrelevant what is eaten as the skin itself will be damaged from the sun. Antioxidants may or may not help improve the symptoms of a skin burn but again, the only way to actually protect yourself is to stay out of the sun, wear sun resistant clothing or slather on as much sunscreen as possible for when the sun can't be avoided. I believe you received some bad advice there Meg.
 
MegacedU

MegacedU

Professional
Actually I've tried out the blueberries thing and found that I could indeed spend a significantly longer amount of time in the sun without being burned. In fact, some of the chemicals in sunscreen are also linked to migraines, another health factor I deal with. I mean I'm sure it's different for everyone, but for sensitive systems like mine, I will always swear away sunscreen.
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
Well I tried Aveeno and that stuff was pretty bad. The smell was intolerable, like baby powder or something, and it ran into my eyes and burned them.

Now Im trying Bullfrog which is ok except that it burns like aftershave when you put it on.

Why someone cant make a halfway decent sunblock is beyond me. Doing this sunblock search just sucks ass.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
Meg, that is horrible advice to post on this forum without a link. What worked for you anecdotally (if it even did) will not work for anyone else. There are many many different formulations of sunscreen and just because you are allergic to one ingredient doesn't mean you will be allergic to another. As for your other comments, which sunscreen ingredients have been linked to migraines? Can you provide a link or is that something that you have 'heard'? Sun exposure causes wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer. There are 4 specific ingredients that can help prevent that and with everything I've read on this topic, I would much rather take my chances with those ingredients than nothing at all (especially considering that I've had sunburns in the past and I also get migraines).


Shaolin, you should never put anything on your skin that burns or tingles. Take the Bullfrog back to wherever you bought it and get your money back. Try a stick formula like Neutrogena, that should not run into your eyes.
 
MegacedU

MegacedU

Professional
Fee said:
Meg, that is horrible advice to post on this forum without a link. What worked for you anecdotally (if it even did) will not work for anyone else. There are many many different formulations of sunscreen and just because you are allergic to one ingredient doesn't mean you will be allergic to another. As for your other comments, which sunscreen ingredients have been linked to migraines? Can you provide a link or is that something that you have 'heard'? Sun exposure causes wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer. There are 4 specific ingredients that can help prevent that and with everything I've read on this topic, I would much rather take my chances with those ingredients than nothing at all (especially considering that I've had sunburns in the past and I also get migraines).
Click to expand...

I'm not sure of the exact ingredient, and it's not just something I've "heard" or read somewhere. I got that information from a pharmaceutical rep who visited the office of the physician I work for. There isn't much that eases my migraines and in an attempt to find SOMETHING that would ease the debilitation I experience from them, I figured it was worth a shot to cleanse my system and where possible, take in all natural products and foods. There is one brand I've found that makes a hypoallergenic sunscreen, and that is the only one that I haven't had a horrible reaction to.

http://www.teamsizzle.com/sisel-forum/viewtopic.php?t=949
http://drbenkim.com/foods-protect-sunburn.htm

A couple of the abundance online, but that's not where I heard of it originally.

I'm not suggesting that if your system can tolerate it, you swear off sunscreen. But if sunscreen is becoming much of an issue, like burning, swelling, or in my case blistering etc., I'd recommend the natural methods.

It's the multiple chemical sensitivity.
 
Last edited:
MegacedU

MegacedU

Professional
Also, I'm not sure if you've ever heard of Isagenix, but that too can act as a system cleanse and reduce the frequency of migraines.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
Okay, but 'hypoallergenic' is a meaningless term. Also, 'natural' doesn't necessarily mean allergen free, considering that most people are allergic to grass, hay, trees, peanuts, wheat, and other incredibly natural things.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are both 'mineral' sunscreens, not chemical. Have you tried formulas that are high in either or both of those ingredients and low in fragrance? I bet there is a sunscreen out there that you can use, you just haven't found it yet.

If you see that Pharma rep again, ask him what his degree is in, if he even has one. They are just salesmen, they don't need to know anything about science or medicine or health care, they just need to know how to socialize very well and push their products.

I sympathize with your migraine situation. I don't get them nearly as bad as other people do, but I hate them when they come (and at least half of them are triggered by hormone levels so there is almost nothing I can do). You might want to take a look at this book and see if it can offer you some relief: http://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Hea...6ff005ec&itemPosition=1&qid=1221619194&sr=1-1

Foods are one of the biggest triggers of migraines, so you might want to take a look at that angle. Chocolate is one of the most obvious ones, but there are other foods that sometimes surprise people.

Both of the links you provided are just anecdotal, so I'll pass on those.
 
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MegacedU

MegacedU

Professional
I did ask, because he insulted my humanities-business studies combo. He was has a biology degree which is why I found it particularly interesting.

Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll look into it.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
Please check out the book, I'd like to see you get those migraines under control (and find a good reliable sunscreen for your fair skin, don't want you to stop playing tennis).
 
Ignorant Genius

Ignorant Genius

Banned
Fee said:
If you see that Pharma rep again, ask him what his degree is in, if he even has one. They are just salesmen, they don't need to know anything about science or medicine or health care, they just need to know how to socialize very well and push their products.
Click to expand...

Where to begin with this?

No major pharma company would hire someone as a field rep if they did not have a degree. Most companies specifically seek out people with biology or chemistry degrees, and there are some nurses and pharmacists that become pharma reps.

The pharmaceutical industry is the most regulated industry in the US. Pharma companies are under strict guidelines as to what their reps can and cannot say to "push" (your term) their products. Pharma companies also must have a documented training program for their representatives. Their reps must pass tests on anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, their products and products from other companies. If someone can't pass the test and pass continuing education classes/tests that are required, they lose their job.

So your statement above is more than a little inaccurate.
 
MegacedU

MegacedU

Professional
Fee said:
Please check out the book, I'd like to see you get those migraines under control (and find a good reliable sunscreen for your fair skin, don't want you to stop playing tennis).
Click to expand...

Yeah it also doesn't help that I'm a night time teeth grinder. But I have an injection I take for bad migraines. And I'm retired from tennis for the most part, I've played since I was like 4 and now I have awful tendonitis.
 
Fee

Fee

Legend
MegacedU said:
Yeah it also doesn't help that I'm a night time teeth grinder. But I have an injection I take for bad migraines. And I'm retired from tennis for the most part, I've played since I was like 4 and now I have awful tendonitis.
Click to expand...

Have you tried botox? Not for cosmetic purposes (obviously) but there are some studies on the side effects of botox that reveal a possibility that it can help migraines and other stuff. I wonder if it might help you with the teeth grinding too? Wouldn't that be weird if it actually worked for you?
 
H

heycal

Hall of Fame
MegacedU said:
Isn't it true that once you start botox, you can't stop though?
Click to expand...

I think sex, not botox, is the thing one can't stop once they start.

MegacedU said:
Wrists and elbows.
Click to expand...

Both wrists and elbows? Did you see a doctor? What did they say?

I had bad tennis elbow for a long time, and couldn't play with that arm for like six months. But I eventually got rid of it, and now I can play again pain-free.
 
1

10sfreak

Semi-Pro
MegacedU said:
Wrists and elbows.

Isn't it true that once you start botox, you can't stop though?
Click to expand...
Some women have gotten psychologically addicted to botox injections. (I'm guessing that some men have too, but I haven't heard/read of any). Kinda like how some women get addicted to tanning...
 
MegacedU

MegacedU

Professional
heycal said:
Both wrists and elbows? Did you see a doctor? What did they say?

I had bad tennis elbow for a long time, and couldn't play with that arm for like six months. But I eventually got rid of it, and now I can play again pain-free.
Click to expand...

That's a typo, both wrists, right elbow. Hurts me to grip a the steering wheel or put on my seatbelt after even hitting a little bit. Saw the doctor, he confirmed the tendonitis and told me to use heat and ice after I play, which isn't really much anymore.
 
H

heycal

Hall of Fame
MegacedU said:
That's a typo, both wrists, right elbow. Hurts me to grip a the steering wheel or put on my seatbelt after even hitting a little bit. Saw the doctor, he confirmed the tendonitis and told me to use heat and ice after I play, which isn't really much anymore.
Click to expand...

Hmm. These things are tricky, because it's hard to heal muscles that you need to use for everyday activities. When I had TE, it would hurt to pour milk or turn a door knob sometimes.

I have to imagine that your condition can be vastly improved somehow given time or the proper treatment. What are you, 21 years old or something? You should be able to have a complete recovery somehow I would think, so don't despair.
 
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