Don't forget the sunscreen---USE CAUTION

As many have mentioned, this is a real problem. My wife had leukemia when she was younger, and fortunately was able to overcome it. Now, she also suffers from basal cell carcinoma on an almost regular basis. Every 6 months she is checked at the dermatologist, and just had 2 more removed from her scalp in the last couple months. There is one to go, scheduled for next month. She has also had one removed from the tip of her nose, and two from her forehead. We never boat without sunscreen and hats, and we stay under the canvas during the day as much as possible.

The pictures didn't phase me at all - I am used to it now. I'm the one who dresses the wounds twice a day for 2 weeks until the stitches come out....

Dale
 
Last edited:
I'm red headed, fare skin, sunburned alot as kid, family history, etc. I've had several issues, but nothing too bad. I go to the dermatologist every 3 months. Just went last week and had a few spots on my face treated. As I am in south Florida, I tend to use sunscreens vs long sleave shirts, pants, etc because it is too hot. Any comments on long sleave shirts vs sunscreens? Maybe I'm buying the wrong shirts. I do wear a wide brimmed hat on the boat all the time.

I've used many different sunscreens. I'm currently using Bullfrog SPF 45 in the aerosol can <they don't offer a higher SPF>. It is non-greasy, easy and quick to apply, and has been very effective for me. It is a little expensive vs lotions, but not in the big pic. Any other sunscreen recommendations? or protection recommendations?
 
Gofirstclass said:
Trust me, it's real. I posted these pics so you all could see why it's so important to use sunscreen. The one I use comes from Banana Belt. When I discussed sunscreens with the dermatologist I asked him about the law of diminishing returns and how that applied to SPF's. He said most people don't properly apply sunscreen, so to get the maximum protection it's important to use the highest number you can find, then apply it liberally.
Click to expand...

Did you mean Bananna Boat sunscreen ? Does your's have UVA protection ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, ecamsule, and oxybenzone? SPF 50 blocks 98% ov UVB rays, so any SPF higher has little benefit, especially without UVA blockers
 
I go at the end of boating season each year for a checkup with the Dermatologist. Had a precancer spot burned off last week. My mom has had skin cancer. I have been boating since I was born. The Dermatologist said most of my damage is from when I was a child. I usually wear hats, shirt and sun screen.
 
Last edited:
Kay, you were right....it's Banana Boat (not belt!). I'd have to check the can to see what other contents are in it, and you can bet I will do that this weekend.

I'm sorry to hear so many of you have skin conditions similar to mine or worse, but glad you're taking care of them. As one who used to scoff at sunscreen, I've changed my tune.
 
GFC . . . I hope you get better soon.

Thanks for sharing your experiences . . . good and bad. You have helped me once again.

Thanks and geat well!

HIFI
 
This by far the best sun hat I've found:

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens/hats/sombriolet-sun-hat.html

SPF 50, nylon /rayon fabrics, vented, wide foam lined brim so you can soak it then wring it out and keep going, light weight and will stay on your head at 60 mph with no windshield, usually available for around $30-ish, online.
 
There is some misinformation in this thread that his condition wasn't cancer. On the contrary, carcinoma=cancer. The main difference with squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma is that melanoma tends to metastasize (spread to other organs) more often and is more deadly. Squamous cell carcinoma is a slower spreader, and doesn't metastasize as often. Basal cell carcinoma is the slowest grower, and doesn't metastasize. Of the 3, melanoma is the worst. All are cancers. When removed, a big chunk of surrounding skin is removed to be sure to have healthy borders.
Mike (Dr. Murphy)
 
Thanks for that shocker GFC, makes me re-think my amount of outdoor activites I do without proper protection. And the rest of you who made this an enlightening thread.

Heres hoping to a speedy recovery, and a lack of future occurances!:thumbsup:
 
Spikedaddy, thanks for that clarification. I guess I knew that but didn't make it clear in my writeup or followup comments.

Frank. I tried to order one of those hats but OR is out of them. We're headed to Seattle in January and will be downtown. I'll make sure I get by there when we're downtown.

Thanks to all of you for the comments and 'get well' wishes. The surgery was done Monday morning. I'm usually a pretty hearty guy but spent the last 48 hours on the couch in my bathrobe with an ice pack on my head, and gobbled a bunch of pain killers to stop the headache. My head still hurts and I'm still a bit dizzy/disoriented but getting better. I got up and showered and got dressed and am feeling better.

I figure if this thread gets at least one of you to become a firm believer in sunscreen, it's done its job. Now let's go boating!!!
 
I always use spf 45 from banana boat,i still manage to get a little burn here and there.I dont want to sound stupid or degrade the importance of this thread but on a lighter side ,do you think your right side profile will look ten years younger than your left now?Will the second surgery be in the same area on the other side of your face?I have also learned the expiration dates on the sunscreen isnt a joke ,i got a bad burn about 4 years ago useing expired dated sunscreen.I looked like a leopard!
 
Last edited:
GFC that looks so bad we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

For a contrarian point to this thread: The body MUST have vitamin D and the best source is from the skin exposed to the sun. This lack of natural sun exposure is believed by many researchers and doctors to be a leading factor of internal cancers. We as a society have gone crazy for sunscreen as it is in almost everything. Protection from a long day in the sun boating is good sense but your body needs a big dose of natural vitamin D regularly. So there is an internal debate going on in medicine as to which is better or worse, lower rates of internal cancers and fight the skin stuff or visa-versa. I feel that responsible sun exposure is a good thing and sunburn is a very bad thing. The issue with sunburn is that each of us is born with a finite number of stem cells that are like a magic repair cell that can fix almost anything in your body. That includes your sunburned skin. The stem cells used to repair sunburn are no longer available to make more important organ repairs. So avoid sunburn at all costs, it may save your life.

MM
 
GFC, that's nasty looking. Glad you were able to catch it. Karen and I both were guilty in our younger days of not using enough sunscreen, and now are frequent visitors to what we affectionately refer to as the "skin nazi".
Good luck with that, and hope you feel better soon
 
Hey Mike, Sure glad you had it treated and are on the mend. If you can't find the long sleeve 30 SPF shirts (lightweight) or hats, let me know, and your size, and I'll get you some here in Lauderdale. I wear both, and SPF 50, almost all of the time on the boat. (Sea Ray and Hydro)
Take care buddy, see you in July.
 
Thanks for being graphic with what you are going through....I am sure this thread will save more than one life!
 
Steve, thanks for the offer. I think I can probably find them at our local REI or online.

Speaking of July, if you can manage to get in here a day early we'll take you and your Admiral for a slooooooow river cruise, not like the 180mph+ that you're used to, and we'll do it without the press or public watching.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,238
Messages
1,429,064
Members
61,119
Latest member
KenBoat
Back
Top