Since college and, especially, medical school, I have not gotten sunburned. At first, I felt victimized because I had to work so hard, stay indoors, never go to the beach or the mountains or anywhere, while all the fun people were living it up with great suntans. Now I know I was lucky.
I have had no skin cancer.
I now put sunscreen on my face every morning after shaving, even if I plan to be indoors.
I don't like it (I would hate to have to wear makeup. To be a man--once again I'm lucky!), but I do it.
I went to the cosmetics counter with my wife. She helped me find some sunscreen that goes around the eyes. I put it around my eyes every morning.
If I'm going to be outside in the sun--boat, beach, mountains, ski, hike, have lunch--I glop on heavy duty sunscreen.
Not only does it help prevent skin cancer, it also helps prevent wrinkles and other sun damage.
I started doing this after consultation with colleagues, notably a friend who is a plastic surgeon, but I have plenty of experience with basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and melanomas myself. It's worth it.
I don't like it (I would hate to have to wear makeup. To be a man--once again I'm lucky!), but I do it.
Good for you. I think I would be more consistent in wearing sunscreen if it were easier to apply. For some reason I find it annoying to apply gloppy white stuff all over, especially trying to get it on my ears. Perhaps a spray or a cream would be better. Shampoo should also contain sunblock.
I went to the cosmetics counter with my wife. She helped me find some sunscreen that goes around the eyes. I put it around my eyes every morning.
I should try that. I hate having sunscreen run into my eyes on hot days.
BTW I take high doses of vitamins and I have found this to also be very effective in suppressing sunburn. I have heard that the mechanism of sun damage involves the generation of free radicals, which is suppressed by antioxidants.
Me too. I have had several irregular moles removed. I live in Phoenix and you will never catch me with any color. I make Nicole Kidman look like a sun goddess these days.