Am i black or white?
 

Apparently all that sunscreen I've be applying is not working. I've been using BannanaBoat Sport SPF 50 :eek:

I don't want skin cancer dammit!

http://static.flickr.com/69/215650908_e6893d9a92_o.jpg

Sunblock won't stop the tanning process. It just helps prevents skin cancer.

Plus that's not that bad, you look like you need a good tan anyways, Schlomo Gonzales.

No kidding, at least there isn't a pronounced tan line. You need to get yourself a rac-cut jersey to get one of those

I think there's some stuff with an ingrediant (titanium oxide of some sort?) that, although solid colored when on the skin, serves as a FULL sun block. My arms, by the way, look identical to yours & I'm 53 with no skin cancer yet.

that's why i don't wear short sleeved jerseys (without arm warmers)! i'm SO anti-tanline!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, I don't think there's any evidence that sunscreen prevents cancer. Some studies have even suggested the opposite:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/411226.stm

http://www.motherjones.com/news/outf...wellbeing.html

It does not matter. Until you start shaving you are not a roadie!

The tan line I hate is on my fingers. I don't wear gloves in the summer. The ends of my fingers, being curled under the handlebar, stay pale while the other parts of my hands are dark.

Sure it will... to a point. Remember SPF is just a multiplication of how long it takes to burn. If you normally burn in 1 hour, SPF 50, will have you burning in 50 hours. But, I tend not to burn and I do tan easily. If I wear anything over SPF30, I stay just as white as in winter. My father on the other hand, burns no matter what he wears and has to constantly reapply. The best he can hope for is a dark tan with a liberal application of SPF50-80.

Chemical sunscreens may only work for 1 hr and extra applications do not extend the time. Chemical sunscreens are associated with increased, yes increased, skin cancer. Physical sunscreens are best, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Neutragena has a sensitive skin sunscreen the TD. Disadvantages are: 1. if sweat much, it will run off, and 2. a slight whitish caste to skin.

Alterative is use a long sleeve sun shirt. They have enough ventilation to wear up to 95F. Examples are Boure jersey and solumbra cycling shirt. The solumbra is SPF 30 and Bour3 is SPF 50. Don't forget to put lotions on your hands. These shirts are about 90 or $100. There are a couple sites that offer for about $60, but I don't know what they are like when riding with them.

Second alternative is to float riding time so it's when the sun is not up.

I'm curious if that relationship between sunscreen and cancer has more to do with the time spent in the sun by those who wear it.

(I.E. the difference in chances of getting cancer for a person who doesn't wear it and doesn't get in the sun much vs a person who wears it but spends all day in the sun)

The tanline on my legs bothers me more, its particularly well defined since I own 1 pair of cycling shorts.

Good point, krazygluon. Casual or causal relationship?

As a result of this thread, I ordered some SkinCeuticals Sport sunblock (which contains Zinc Oxide). I'll see how it feels.

Shave first, then come back to me...

MexicanJew: I feel ya. I'm Irish-Mexican and I have the exact same issue. I've had the farmer tan since March, since that first sunny day with a short sleeved jersey. You don't even want to see the back of my neck.

You will still tan with sun block.....but it will prevernt the harmfull rays from causing cancer.

Yes, it's spf 50, not spf 100. You will still tan.

It is what it is through and through
 

Well i am not a tan expert but, i would watch the tanning there. Skin cancer can be caught very easily, if you are outside for long periods of time i would re-apply the product or try to find a stronger sun tan lotion.