How NOT to get a sunburn

A sunburn can take all the fun out of a day in the sun. A sunburn can make your vacation miserable. So here are some tips to avoid it and enjoy your time in the sun.

Everybody's skin responds to the sun differently. Some people don't even need sunblock and they don't burn, they just tan. (Not fair!) If you're like most people you will need some sun protection. A hat is a good start to keep the sun off the most sensitive skin on our bodies, our face. There are many stylish hats you can buy at the shops in Waikiki. Sunglasses with UV protection is also a good idea.

Now the UV rays in Hawaii are not as strong as some places in the world such as Miami, but you can still burn. A 30 SPF sunblock or stronger is effective. If your skin is very sensitive, use 50 SPF.

I've seen people make the mistake of using 8 SPF or less thinking they are going to get a great tan, but they get burned instead. If you aren't sure, go with 30 SPF or higher. A little sun each day over the course of a one week vacation while using sunblock will tan your skin gradually without the unnecessary risk of an acute burn.


Beach umbrellas are a great idea for the very sensitive. You can rent them in many places on Waikiki Beach and you can buy them at ABC stores, Wal-Mart or K-mart for about $10. Safety tip: Always anchor your umbrella with a string or thin piece of rope. Tie the other end to something that weighs at least a few pounds such as your beach bag. With unpredictable gusts of wind you might just save a life from a runaway umbrella piercing them in the heart.

The common mistakes of different types of sun worshipers:

• The lobster: The guy from a northern European country, Wisconsin or Canada whose skin is florescent red in some places and completely white in others. You may even see white spots on his back surrounded by red- a clear sign he tried to apply the lotion all by himself.
• The zebra: This girl got burned yesterday and has a new bikini today that fits differently. Thus, the stripes.
• The snake: Skin is peeling, shedding and falling off. This person got burned really bad. Sometimes you can develop a very nice tan, but if you continue to get too much sun you can ruin your perfect tan and your skin will start to peel. Try using a moisturizing lotion in the evenings to help prevent it from peeling.
• The owl or raccoon: This guy wore his UV protective sunglasses all day but cooked the rest of his face.
• The ghost: The person on the beach with a huge hat, long pants, long sleeves and an umbrella to boot. Their skin is snow white. Wonder why they are even there.

How often to apply? Apply sun block about every 45 minutes, especially from the hours of 10am to 2pm when the sun's rays are the strongest.

Body parts not to forget when applying your sunblock: Your face, ears, bikini line, backs of your knees, underarms and feet. Get some under your bikini straps as the straps may shift later leaving you with a red line. Whether you're bald or just like to part your hair, you'll still need to apply sunblock to your scalp wherever it's exposed. If you have very short hair, rub it into your entire scalp. If you are wearing sandals or thongs don't forget to apply it to your feet and toes before you go outside. And if you're headed to the nude beach... instructions for those parts are beyond the scope of this article, but good luck anyway!



Aloha,


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