Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Avoiding skin damage & sunburn

I'll be on the bike 12 hours next Saturday.

I'm considering a white, long sleeve, base layer in addition to 45 level sunscreen.

What are your strategies to reduce skin damage?

Michael

I use Neutrogena sunscreen, having had skin reactions to some cheaper stuff. I use the 85 proof stuff, figuring that higher SPF is better than lower, unless someone can show a downside.

My wife likes the DeSoto leg coolers and "coolwings". I haven't tried them, mainly because I just haven't wanted to spend the money. But they still need sunscreen underneath.

Nick

I bring a 3.5oz Nalgene squeeze bottle of sunscreen so I can re-apply as needed at controls.

12 hrs?! wow! I was gonna suggest ride at night, or at least avoid 10:am - 4:00 pm. I've been getting into night rides lately. it's cooler. there's less traffic. and fewer people pass me! :-)

gloves, white t-shirts, cover the neck ... don't go above 45spf and think you're that much safer.. the higher block sunscreen are less and less effective. Helmet with a visor helps. A headband helps keep sunscreen and sweat out of eyes. Don't forget to reapply!

I was thinking about using these..
http://www.pearlizumi.com/phpThumb.php?src=/data/uploads/products/9319_508.jpg&w=290&h=290 (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=50&product_id=1499883&outlet=)

It it's really hot and dry, try cotton.. it will keep you damp and slow evaporation. Oh and there is the old t-shirt over the head and neck if you can get it to fit under your helmet..

According to Environmental Working Group (EWG) http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/sunscreen09/findyoursunscreen , here are the top sunscreens:

1. Badger Sunscreen Face Stick, SPF 30, Unscented

2. Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 30 Lightly Scented

3. Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body, Unscented, SPF 30

4. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+

5. Loving Naturals Sunscreen, SPF 30+

6. Purple Prairie Botanicals Sun Stick, SPF 30

7. Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff, SPF 30

8. Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

9. Soleo Organics Atlantis Resort All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

10. Soleo Organics Wyland Organics All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

Since I'm bald, I guess I have a little more strategy than just the sunscreen I mentioned earlier.

I wear a cap under my helmet, no matter what the weather. Visor frontwards if it's raining, visor backwards to cover more of my neck when it's sunny out.
I hadn't given much thought to long sleeves, etc. for sunblocking. Usually the multiple applications of sunscreen keeps me from getting burned. Coppertone Sport spf-50 is very sweatproof and doesn't end up running into my eyes and causing problems. It doesn't stink too much, either. Too many sunscreens are just horrible smelling concoctions.

Does this help https://sunguardsunprotection.com/? Is anyone using it?

Does this help https://sunguardsunprotection.com/? Is anyone using it?

I would sooner take a coating which has been applied at a factory to certain standards... even those coatings will wear off and degrade i suspect.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1x_Protect_Your_Skin_From_UV.asp

I have few problems with my arms, my ears get a little burned sometimes but my legs/thighs have the worst problems. i haven't found anything to stop that burning especially on the thigh. I am thinking about some knickers as the only way to prevent that.

The rest of me uses Neutrogena 70, applied every 2-2.5 hrs. I wear a cap and carry bandannas with me for other protection and cooling as needed. I am about to put on my third bottle cage just for some water to cool me off. I might try something else as I use up my sunblock.

According to Environmental Working Group (EWG) http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/sunscreen09/findyoursunscreen , here are the top sunscreens:

1. Badger Sunscreen Face Stick, SPF 30, Unscented

2. Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 30 Lightly Scented

3. Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body, Unscented, SPF 30



I have used the Badger sunscreens and they work great. They have kept me burn free on long sunny climbs in the snow which are pretty much the worst sun burn conditions. You have to put it on thickly and accept that you will look somewhat ghostly. It doesn't run with perfuse sweating, but it does become quite prone to rubbing off after sweating. It seems like the sweat pushes it out of your pores and makes easy to wipe off. If you know that going in it is fine. I used to love Coppertone Sport 50 which also works great, but now I like physical block rather than the chemical block. It protects against UVA and UVB.

I got burned really badly a few years ago on a ride where I forgot sunscreen - think blister, peel, blister, peel. I saw my doctor and he recommended I use sunscreen with titanium oxide in the future, and that you can typically find this in childrens sunscreen. I have been using Banana Boat childrens sunscreen quite successfully for several years now. It is readily available in most drug stores. I got a small squeeze bottle from REI, which I fill with sunscreen and take with me on rides. The stuff actually keeps me cooler.

The most important thing is to remember to re-apply your sunscreen at least once every three hours. I live in the skin cancer capital of the universe and see a lot of people make this mistake. They lather it on at the start of the ride at 6am, and then forget about it. In the meantime, the heat and humidity (which is pretty much year round in these parts) means the suncreen has washed off by 9am, just when they're really going to need it.

I screen up before the ride. If I need to reapply I take a roll on, can do the arms and legs while riding.

I just use a dab of sunscreen when I'm out there for 12+ hours.

I would avoid peak sun as much as possible, that is from about eleven to four depending on your time zone. I'm paying the price now for sun damage that happened thirty years ago.. If you must go out, use a complete sun block on your ears and nose and parts of your face; also, try to find every bit of shade, and ride in it as much as possible.

It is a little ironic that some of the thons run in June, designed to raise money to cure some disease, might actually be putting some participants at an increased risk for skin cancer?

The most important thing is to remember to re-apply your sunscreen at least once every three hours. I live in the skin cancer capital of the universe and see a lot of people make this mistake. They lather it on at the start of the ride at 6am, and then forget about it. In the meantime, the heat and humidity (which is pretty much year round in these parts) means the suncreen has washed off by 9am, just when they're really going to need it.

In places like southern Chile the skin cancer rates are extremely high due to the hole in the ozone ending up there(near the antarctic hole) and letting uv-b rays through.

http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/monthly/index.html

http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/ozone_maps/movies/OZONE_D1996-07-01%25P1D_G%5E1280X720.LSH.mp4

Friends,

I am a Dermatologist and a cyclist in California. I see and treat skin cancer every day in my office, especially on the face, ears and neck.

I have been seeking a way to fully protect my ears and neck and have as little facial skin exposed that would need sun screen... (SPF 70 by the way)

I see enough really horrible skin cancer that it is easy for me to wear a long sleeve jersey and long cycling tights even in the summer. I even wear full finger gloves...

I share with you a new accessory for my helmet. It is a vented sun cape that meets and exceed my design requirements. Those requirements are, full sun protection, venting and light weight fabric....the only downside is it is a little dorky looking... but if you saw the skin cancer that I see in my Dermatology office every day that would not bother you very much. I look dorky enough to begin with because I am wearing long sleeves and long tights anyway

I use the detachable sun cape from an Outdoor Reasearch SunRunner hat ( $30 at REI )

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153928&d=1275779050&thumb=1 (http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153928&d=1275779540)http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153929&d=1275779011&thumb=1 (http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153929&d=1275779550)http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153930&d=1275779651&thumb=1 (http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153930&d=1275779651)http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153931&d=1275779682&thumb=1 (http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153931&d=1275779682)http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153932&d=1275779722&thumb=1 (http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=153932&d=1275779722)
The only modification was the cutting off of the cape snap tabs and cutting 1/8 inch holes to fit between where the plastic helmet harness snaps into the body of the helmet. I removed the helmet chin strap and threaded it through the upper rear vent of the cape, It is a lot easiet to do than to verbally explain


Jesse

Good idea. Solve the geeky look and you may have a new product to sell. I noticed the helmet visor too.

I have found after many 12-14 hour rides that a long visor on a helmet not only keeps most of the sun off my face, but in high heat it keeps my face cooler. Not to mention when coming home directly into the setting sun, often tipping ones head enough can allow you to see without the sun in your face.

2manybikes,

I did solve the geeky look already... the left was the first version
154017154018

Now I am just left with the dorky look


This is as far as I can go


Jesse:lol:

2manybikes,

I did solve the geeky look already... the left was the first version
154017154018

Now I am just left with the dorky look


This is as far as I can go


Jesse:lol:


:lol:

I just thought of something. A thin (head cover) balaklava will do the same thing and not look quite as bad.

http://www.trivillage.com/louis-garneau-balaclava-hat-2008-fw.html

But possibly too hot. I have one very thin one and it is black. What if there was one made of the same material as yours and was flesh colored. It might really sell !
Seriously.

I personally find the balaklava style great for cold weather, but it is too close fitting , in any color or fabric weight for my comfort when I am sweating

Jesse

Well, that explains the chador ;)

While I fully believe in taking basic precautions, I don't see much reason to let fear run my life. ("The Surgeon General announced today that saliva causes stomach cancer, but only when ingested in small amounts over a prolonged period of time." - George Carlin) Pretty much any sunscreen that protects for UVA, UVB, is at least SPF 30, and that gets frequently applied to the right spots should do the trick.

Also keep in mind it takes about 30 minutes after application for the sunscreen to start working. The sunscreen isn't actually a layer on your skin that blocks out sunlight, it induces a reaction that helps reduce the negative effects of sunlight.

Another item to consider is a UV-resistant shirt or base layer. Something made with a "Cocona" fabric may do the trick.

This article compares the results of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/...dyoursunscreen , with that of Consumers Reports: http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2010/06/the-best-sunscreen-.html

Confused? Badger sunscreen was a top pick by both groups.

2manybikes,

I did solve the geeky look already... the left was the first version
154017154018

Now I am just left with the dorky look


This is as far as I can go


Jesse:lol:

I actually like the first one better, looks like some sort of white bike ninja, but hopefully riding with lights at night.

Summertime bump

I bought light white arm warmers last spring with the intention of wearing them all summer .... but I think I only wore them once. We had a record-breaking cool and rainy summer and I spent quite a bit of time in jackets.

I have, however, become a regular user of Neutrogena sunscreen on my face - the dry touch stuff which goes on feeling dry rather than greasy.

I use a white base layer with long sleeves on even the hottest days. The combination of sunscreen under a white layer deflects the sun. This provides multiple benefits: I avoid sunburn and I stay cooler, with a wicking layer to transport perspiration.

For those on tighter budget I found this bright monster (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_524336_-1) at nashbar... hate to shill but it's only 35 bucks... I've never bought a bike shirt online so I dunno how it'll fit. Anyway, I started poking around after meeting another rider wearing a nice white long sleeve while I was in short sleeves and got too much sun. At the very least I will remember to use suncreen next time.

I wear PI arm covers, they work well, no burning, and my arms feel cooler. I've been considering leg covers as well, any suggestions?

Ozone layer is going to be quite weak around here this summer (http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/06/03/technology-ultraviolet-ozone-sun-summer.html)

I tried some Pearl Izumi Sun Sleeves. I thought they were arm warmers, but they made me so cold I had to take them off. If I ever see the sun on a hot day then I will try them again.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/163370-Is-There-a-Sun-Helmet

I've been using a cheap bandanna, that is a bit larger than what is normally available. It works great IMO, covering my neck, ears and fore head. Also of course, I use long sleeved shirts, and full length pants.

do your research and buy the best suncreen you can.

the extra money is worth it in the long term!

I was thinking about using these..
http://www.pearlizumi.com/phpThumb.php?src=/data/uploads/products/9319_508.jpg&w=290&h=290 (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=50&product_id=1499883&outlet=)

I bought a pair of these at the start of summer and I really like them. They do have a cooling effect here in the dry heat of summer in Utah. I also wear a cycling cap (wicking fabric) - brim in back to keep sun off my neck.

Just a nag, white cotton jersey (the fabric of t-shirts) only provides about 6 SPF according to NPR. I wear t-shirts doing construction here in Texas and my shoulders are well freckled. A word to the pale, myself included.

I actually just browsed Pearl Izumi's jerseys, they claim UPF 50 on all of them. Awesome.