Skin Care

I'm white, living in a hot and sunny place. I'm developing a farmer's tan and not too crazy about it. The trouble is that I work outside a fair bit so I can't really avoid the sun. A few questions for those that know:

1. How do I get rid of the farmer's tan I have already? Just stay covered I guess?

2. How do I prevent sun damage to my skin? I heard that sunblock is really really bad for your skin so not sure about using it now.

Exfoliating once a week will help gradually(!) fade the tan, but be careful not to do it right before or after more sun exposure, and make sure to moisture after you exfoliate because your skin will be more sensitive.

Try a mineral sunscreen instead, which works just as fine but the trial and error of finding one that best suits your personal needs is annoying.

It is a myth.

Posted by Seajatt

I heard that sunblock is really really bad for your skin so not sure about using it now.

Cover up ....

Posted by Som

It is a myth.

Posted by Seajatt

I heard that sunblock is really really bad for your skin so not sure about using it now.

click to expand

How do you know?

Posted by MyStarsShine

Cover up ....

Im not sure if you're aim is to be condescending, but layers can be really unpleasant when it's pushing a 100 degrees, the humidity is way up, and you're doing hard labor. I was hoping to see if someone knew something that I didn't.

Posted by jazzykid

Exfoliating once a week will help gradually(!) fade the tan, but be careful not to do it right before or after more sun exposure, and make sure to moisture after you exfoliate because your skin will be more sensitive.

Try a mineral sunscreen instead, which works just as fine but the trial and error of finding one that best suits your personal needs is annoying.

Thanks! While I'm not sure what makes mineral sunscreen different, I found some and will try it out.

Sunblock bad for you? How? Because it blocks you from getting skin cancer? Lol what a load of shit.

As far as the sun...other than sunblock...if you're working outside they have long sleeve shirts you can wear that also keep you cool. I forget what they are called exactly but apparently surfers and people who play outdoor sports wear them to protect them from sunburns.

Also look into linen fabric.

Looked it up. They are called "Rash Guards"

LOL

Posted by MyStarsShine

How do you know?

Posted by SeaLion

Sunblock bad for you? How? Because it blocks you from getting skin cancer? Lol what a load of shit.

As far as the sun...other than sunblock...if you're working outside they have long sleeve shirts you can wear that also keep you cool. I forget what they are called exactly but apparently surfers and people who play outdoor sports wear them to protect them from sunburns.

Also look into linen fabric.

Yeah, I mean I'm not dermatologist and reddit is hardly the best source of info, but the common message I saw was that sunscreen was bad. *shrugs*

Gonna try out the mineral stuff jazzy suggested and get some of those upf shirts.

I don't want to look like belt leather by the time I'm 45.

Your unique allergic reaction is your own problem.

Posted by SphinxFinks

Well it only took someone to have an allergic reaction for it to no longer be a myth.

Posted by SphinxFinks

Posted by Seajatt

Posted by SeaLion

Sunblock bad for you? How? Because it blocks you from getting skin cancer? Lol what a load of shit.

As far as the sun...other than sunblock...if you're working outside they have long sleeve shirts you can wear that also keep you cool. I forget what they are called exactly but apparently surfers and people who play outdoor sports wear them to protect them from sunburns.

Also look into linen fabric.

Yeah, I mean I'm not dermatologist and reddit is hardly the best source of info, but the common message I saw was that sunscreen was bad. *shrugs*

Gonna try out the mineral stuff jazzy suggested and get some of those upf shirts.

I don't want to look like belt leather by the time I'm 45.

That's rough, Reddit is like playing the lotto but with intellectual ability, knowledge and the experience level.

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100%

So shut up.

Posted by SphinxFinks

Would be true if I was allergic.

Posted by Seajatt

Posted by SeaLion

Sunblock bad for you? How? Because it blocks you from getting skin cancer? Lol what a load of shit.

As far as the sun...other than sunblock...if you're working outside they have long sleeve shirts you can wear that also keep you cool. I forget what they are called exactly but apparently surfers and people who play outdoor sports wear them to protect them from sunburns.

Also look into linen fabric.

Yeah, I mean I'm not dermatologist and reddit is hardly the best source of info, but the common message I saw was that sunscreen was bad. *shrugs*

Gonna try out the mineral stuff jazzy suggested and get some of those upf shirts.

I don't want to look like belt leather by the time I'm 45.

click to expand

I'm an estitician by trade and work in a Dr. Office. Never heard of sunscreen being bad for you. It's probably written by vegans who don't wear deodorant.

Skin cancer is way worse then worrying about putting sunscreen on.

Anyway good luck

CDC .... sunscreen and Cancer

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/is-sunscreen-safe

Buy a really good staw hat with a very wide brim. Wear long sleeve cotton shirts. What is a Farmer's tan?

Posted by Seajatt

Posted by jazzykid

Exfoliating once a week will help gradually(!) fade the tan, but be careful not to do it right before or after more sun exposure, and make sure to moisture after you exfoliate because your skin will be more sensitive.

Try a mineral sunscreen instead, which works just as fine but the trial and error of finding one that best suits your personal needs is annoying.

Thanks! While I'm not sure what makes mineral sunscreen different, I found some and will try it out.

click to expand

For when you feel like it:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/chemical-vs-mineral-sunscreen-whats-difference/

All of the above. Coverup, long sleeves, hat with the flaps, etc. And sunscreen... reapply reapply reapply. Mineral based sunscreen does not have benzone. Also its better for the environment so 2 for 1.

And don't forget the aftercare. Stay hydrated.

Posted by SeaLion

Posted by Seajatt

Posted by SeaLion

Sunblock bad for you? How? Because it blocks you from getting skin cancer? Lol what a load of shit.

As far as the sun...other than sunblock...if you're working outside they have long sleeve shirts you can wear that also keep you cool. I forget what they are called exactly but apparently surfers and people who play outdoor sports wear them to protect them from sunburns.

Also look into linen fabric.

Yeah, I mean I'm not dermatologist and reddit is hardly the best source of info, but the common message I saw was that sunscreen was bad. *shrugs*

Gonna try out the mineral stuff jazzy suggested and get some of those upf shirts.

I don't want to look like belt leather by the time I'm 45.

I'm an estitician by trade and work in a Dr. Office. Never heard of sunscreen being bad for you. It's probably written by vegans who don't wear deodorant.

Skin cancer is way worse then worrying about putting sunscreen on.

Anyway good luck

click to expand

Chemical based sunscreen can be absorbed into the bloodstream which over a lifetime of application I suppose could cause you to get cancer. But did you get cancer from the sunscreen? Or living in an over saturated chemically based environment aka 1st world reality? Without sunscreen you WILL get cancer.

If I have the choice between a chemical based sunscreen or no sunscreen I am slathering that shit on!

English is not my mother tongue, but I will try to be as clear as I can.

You do not have to use sunscreen, because you can successfully protect yourself with clothes, hats, or being indoors, but if you do not want to use it, please do not make your decision based on the fact that sunscreens are harmful. Since it is not true.

There is an idea that the sun breaks down sunscreens into free radicals and only make things worse, provoking skin cancer. Both chemical and mineral sunscreens do produce free radicals when they absorb a certain amount of sun radiation. And these free radicals are thought to harm the surrounding cells. But the fact is that the researches were not conducted on humans, but on cell cultures, and there is a very big difference between cell cultures and humans!

Human subject researches shew that using sunscreen slows down skin aging and reduces the chance of developing skin cancer. That is, the amount of harm that free radicals theoretically cause is incomparably small compared to the amount of benefit that sunscreens bring to you.

Moreover, free radicals are produced only in the uppermost, horny layer of the skin, so they cannot cause severe harm, because they almost do not affect living cells.

Source: https://www.tga.gov.au/literature-review-safety-titanium-dioxide-and-zinc-oxide-nanoparticles-sunscreens

Anyway, you know better what to do.

Posted by Seajatt

Yeah, I mean I'm not dermatologist and reddit is hardly the best source of info, but the common message I saw was that sunscreen was bad. *shrugs*

Gonna try out the mineral stuff jazzy suggested and get some of those upf shirts.

I don't want to look like belt leather by the time I'm 45.

Thanks for the info and input, all.

I live in a tropical country where it's summer almost all year long so I have a few suggestions.

Mind you I see my dermatologist regularly and the "sunscreen is bad for you" is really getting old. Most people who say this are walking around with sun damage that look like rorschach tests.

I agree with another poster that you need to cover up. Either rash guards or those sleeves bikers use for the arms. Wear a hat for extra protection on your face.

I use vitamin C serum during the day and top it off with light moisturizer then sunscreen with SPF40. Vitamin C works well with sunscreen because it helps block free radicals from the sun.

Use waterproof sunscreen so it won't sting your eyes. I recommend an Asian brand, Missha which is available in the West. And please make sure you use the appropriate amount of sunscreen, the length of your 2 fingers would be good. Don't forget your ears, neck and the back of your neck. I also use Nivea's body lotion with SPF30 if I'm going out.

I'd recommend an umbrella even if it's not raining but you might get weird looks from where you are 😂

I have a UV umbrella with me all the time since it's normal to see people here in the Philippines walking on the streets with an umbrella for shade.

Us white people tend to not age well. I guess it's it's just the balance of nature. We get a handful of different hair colors, and eye color. Most of the world get a simple black hair, and brown eyes. Yet those type of people tend to age 10 times better. So in the end you have to accept the hand you were delt. I bet some white people out there love having blond hair and blue eyes, which is great and all. But in general with darker skin and asian people tend to age much better. Our white complexion isn't made to resist the sun. Which is why I always laugh my ass off when I see white people lather themselves up in chemicals, which will likely make them age quicker, then lay out in direct sunlight just to feel younger. White skin isn't natural compared to the majority of humans, especially once burnt by radiation.

Wear a hat if you don't already. One with a wide brim. Keeps the sun off your face.

SPF is your friend. Wear a hat. Make sure your clothes are made of natural fabric. Cover everything.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, LOTS of water to keep the skin hydrated even if you're not thirsty. I don't know if anybody mentioned water already. I don't feel like reading through everybody's post.

Posted by Jumpin_Jupiter

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, LOTS of water to keep the skin hydrated even if you're not thirsty. I don't know if anybody mentioned water already. I don't feel like reading through everybody's post.

this helps me a lot. I drink 6-7 litres daily

Posted by GenericUsername

Posted by Jumpin_Jupiter

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, LOTS of water to keep the skin hydrated even if you're not thirsty. I don't know if anybody mentioned water already. I don't feel like reading through everybody's post.

this helps me a lot. I drink 6-7 litres daily

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I feel like a hypocrite telling someone else to drink water when the fact is I hate water. But even at miserable times such as this, this hot and brutal temperatures I find myself carrying one of those large things....I guess you call it a thermo I don't know. And find myself drinking lots of water. Very unusual and out of character to see me doing that. I'm usually a soda man.