Sunburn

i used to choose shirts by draping them loosely over my head and looking towards the window.
some people in the shops thought this an odd way to choose a shirt, as it is not worn on the head.
it suited me to do so.
some of them you could read a paper through, even the dark, thick-looking ones.
i chose the ones that let in least light.

long sleeves, of course, and as much collar as poss, and buttoned up high.
i feel slightly uncomfortable if i see very white people in the sun with much skin exposed; they often look red with obvious sun damage.

I could post an up to date photo of my nose to demonstrate what the sun can do. I did post a photo soon after my operation but Gransnet put a warning on it in case any of you were horrified! It wasn’t that bad. I was only young when the damage was done. Keep your young folk plastered with protection.

It’s easily done even if you apply sunscreen. I must have missed an area of my leg while on a holiday in Fuerteventura, it was very windy and I didn’t notice I was burning. Aloe Vera cream was recommended, we purchased a big tub & it soon took the heat out of the burn. I kept it in the fridge and used as after sun for the rest of the holiday.

I have aloe Vera plants and use the gel from the leaves for every kind of injury, burns , cuts etc. I keep a little container of the gel in the fridge.
Some time ago I had a cut on my leg which the surgery kept bandaged but it didn’t heal. So I treated it with aloe vera gel and kept it uncovered. In two days it was healed.

I was stupid honestly

Mowing the lawn is a job I hadn't done for a while and I didn't realise it now takes me 3 times as long

I am Celtic pale and have burnt through a shirt before now. Also, suncream is not a cure-all. Depends on SP, sweating, re-application. Aloe Vera gel is fabulous for sunburn. Was given a pot of it in Jamaica. He squeezed it from leaves of the plant. Was blissful to apply and so soothing.

Thanks for that Bijou. When my daughter lived in Barbados, beach traders would walk along the beach with big leaves of aloe Vera and small bottles of the gel. I wondered if my house plant ones would be effective and you’ve answered my question!💐

Many sun creams have cancer encouraging ingredients
In my opinion sun danger is over stressed for commercial purposes ie selling sun creams by the gallon
Sunshine helps to prevent most cancers (except of course skin cancer) and has many therapeutic benefits
Having said all of this obviously burning is NOT a good idea
Aloe Vera is great and leaves are sold on the beach in Jamaica for that reason

Going on a schhol trip to Mombasa one year, a schoolmate got horribly sunburnt. The teachers dabbed her sunburn with vinegar and it eased the discomfort nicely, even though she smelt like chips!

I have very pale skin and simply cannot go out in the sun for more than ten minutes or so - or at all between 11 am and 3 pm.

I do stay in the shade, wear sunglasses, long sleeved tops and a big sun hat. I'll get a cab if I really have to go somewhere, but avoid any daytime appointments or meetings in summer if I can.

Still, I mowed a lawn at 5 pm, without a hat - and burnt my scalp where my parting was!