The Ultimate Question about when it’s worth using Sunscreen?

Do Me Good

Most people seem to have the idea, that (in Ireland) it’s only really necessary to use sun block on a hot summer’s day. However at the back of our minds, most of us are aware the various UV rays are still doing damage to our skin on cloudy days. But I guess we'd think that putting on sun block that often isn’t worth the hassle.

If you ask any expert on the matter, they’ll say “no, you should wear sun block anytime you step outside as the harmful UV rays are…blah blah”. But what they never tell us; is how much damage is done to our skin on a cloudy day, relative to how much damage is done, on say a day nearly sunny enough to give sun burn. That’s what we really want to know. Then we’d be able to prioritise ourselves as to when it’s worth putting on sun block.

People seem to be either one extreme or the other… obviously with more people being too relaxed about it, than there is people who take it too seriously. You’re definitely Irish if you fail to anticipate getting sun burned time and time again!! It seems to be the case that anyone who does take it too seriously, only does so because they might have had a relative die of skin cancer. And I know you might think I’m taking it too seriously, but as green eyed and red haired girl, I am more susceptible to getting skin cancer.

Crossubrigs

Do Me Good wrote: »

Most people seem to have the idea, that (in Ireland) it’s only really necessary to use sun block on a hot summer’s day. However at the back of our minds, most of us are aware the various UV rays are still doing damage to our skin on cloudy days. But I guess we'd think that putting on sun block that often isn’t worth the hassle.

If you ask any expert on the matter, they’ll say “no, you should wear sun block anytime you step outside as the harmful UV rays are…blah blah”. But what they never tell us; is how much damage is done to our skin on a cloudy day, relative to how much damage is done, on say a day nearly sunny enough to give sun burn. That’s what we really want to know. Then we’d be able to prioritise ourselves as to when it’s worth putting on sun block.

People seem to be either one extreme or the other… obviously with more people being too relaxed about it, than there is people who take it too seriously. You’re definitely Irish if you fail to anticipate getting sun burned time and time again!! It seems to be the case that anyone who does take it too seriously, only does so because they might have had a relative die of skin cancer. And I know you might think I’m taking it too seriously, but as green eyed and red haired girl, I am more susceptible to getting skin cancer.

From what I've read on the subject so long as you don't burn and so long as the you aren't exposed to support shine through a window the sun is beneficial.

ch750536

We have the opposite issue in Ireland. Were 53 deg north, further north than Toronto & Calgary. The sun has much less power here than most populated places on earth. We suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.
Linky
For me, I never wear sunblock, I cover up if needed. From October to March we don't have enough sun to synthesize D naturally so in the 6 months between I need to produce and store D, this means sun on skin where suitable.