so i have finally started showing my arms, and am determined to make it to the beach for the first time EVER this summer... but having not really given my arms the light of day for the last 10 years, i am wondering what i should be doing in terms of sun protection.
i usually use 8 or 12 spf on my face... and wear a cap to cover it, but as my arms will be in direct sunlight, i am wondering if i should go higher, if there is something better i can use etc...
also, from a cosmetic point of view - what will happen to the scars when the rest of my arm tans - i normally go brown - will the scars go red??
You don't seem vain, you seem excited about being able to have your arms out in the summer :) I can't offer you any advice though I'm afraid, it'll be a long time til I can show my arms. Good luck with the suntan!
my scars usually go white or a very light pink while the rest of me goes brown so they stand out more. cant o0ffer any advice vis a vis protection as i am a sun worshipper and so dont use cream in the UK or mornings aboard
Factor 30 childrens sun cream is a must. I prefer it in a spray bottle as its easier and less messy to apply.
I went out on monday and didnt wear any, now my scars are bright red and burning like hell. You really must use a decent cream or you will be really sore and your scars will take even longer to heal.
*agrees with Kanga*
Factor 30 at least. If you're really not used to sun and planning on bein out in it a while, I'd go even higher, at least to start with. Beter to stay white a while longer than blister and peel! xx
If the only true wisdom lies in knowing that you know nothing, then I must be a f***ing genius
Expose your skin for small amounts of time at first. In the last year or two there have been some science studies about sunblock. To summarize them, you have to apply and reapply the sunscreen every hour or it actually makes things worse. I am super fair and live in sunny Southern California and find that it is easier to wear a long sleeve shirt to protect my arms from the sun than it is to think about sunscreen all the time.
My husband is my best friend.
In forgiving others, we are not exonerating them. They may not deserve exoneration. Rather, in forgiving others we are giving up our anger over the fact that what happened is not what "should" have happened or that our life is not the way it "should" have been.
thank you all... am off out shopping. has already hit 33degrees in japan which is hot for may... tis gonna be a blistering summer and i am gonna enjoy it.
just realised last night that april 30th was six months no SI . and only one time in the last 18 months . i am feeling very calm about life right now
In forgiving others, we are not exonerating them. They may not deserve exoneration. Rather, in forgiving others we are giving up our anger over the fact that what happened is not what "should" have happened or that our life is not the way it "should" have been.
I've suntanned (in private) every summer for YEARS! Plus the fake and bake...which is WAY faster, (and OH SO relaxing!!)...some started out red but in time the majority have gone soo faded white , they are near hard to see anymore. [Only some are sytill visible , even tho white, just because they are so wide and long.] The really bad ones tho are purple/red and WILL forever be purple/red (im assuming).
Oh and i dont use sunblock either. {hit me now}.
It depends on the person, how fast they heal, how bad the scars are, etc.
GO to the beach hunni...i'm planning to become a fish i'll be swimming so much!!!
You'll be surprised how many ppl dont even notice, and if they do they dont say anythring and dont point (at least while you can see)
I say ...**** em!!! GO enjoy yourself.
The first time i went...OH it was the very best ever, i'll NEVER forget that day, my hubby, daughter and i had a ball!!!
high factor as poss. well done for the 6/18 months thats great!!!
my scars vary, some that are old stay white and dont change at all, other newer ones go bright red and others that have keloided are always purple what ever the weather. like romp said tho there are some great fake tans-plus ive found it quite good for covering some of my scars!
have fun in the sun :) i will be joining in with the sun appreciation
this pic is so i can always remember jen who was my l'il sock monkey friend who has left ryl and i miss her!!!
OOOPPPS! I mis-worded that, by 'fake and bake', i meant tanning BEDS......they are like climbing in relaxing bath...i just love it!. I use lotion there with some sunscreen in it..dont have it with me atm so cant remember what factor...
But honestluy...its become therapy for me LOL!
*must buy new package*
romp
i am sooooo excited. summer is so good for my mood.
showing my scars i am no longer worried about, the people i care most about know about them and have seen them already.
i am mostly worried about looking after them and making sure they don't burn, and the message seems to be FACTOR 30... so that is it. will be changing moisturiser bottles soon, so will sneak in a spf bottle and then i can do it without even thinking.
A really simple thing to do in the summer to hide scars is dab sunless tanning lotion on the scars only. In the US they sell a brand of sunless tanning lotion that allows you to get many shades from one bottle. Using a q-tip or something similar you can dab on the lotion in the shade that matches your current tan. If you do it just right, and keep applying a slightly darker shade as you get tanning during the summer you can keep your scars fairly well hidden.
Well it breaks my heart to see you this way,
The beauty in life, where's it gone?
And somebody told me you were doing okay,
Somehow I guess they were wrong.
i alwyas think its weird how different scars behave differently in sunlight depending on what area of skin or who's skin it is... like JG's silvery keloid ones go bright red in the sun whereas my silvery keloid ones stay silvery white... but then he's much more prone to burning anyway...
I agree with Aidey. My dr had suggested this and with the *slightly* darker tan I have gotten my scars have gone more "invisible".I also feel better about myself. If you have access to the tanning beds like Romp said, you should see the gradual change and will learn what your skin will do without burning and then having all scars show more. I have also learned that my fresher scars(less than a year old) get brighter and the older ones just stay more white.
It all depends on your skin tone and such like Alchy stated.
. and only one time in the last 18 months 
this pic is so i can always remember jen who was my l'il sock monkey friend who has left ryl and i miss her!!! 
