Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Given the choice between getting a mild sunburn or putting on Banana Boat SPF 30, which do you choose?

I was out golfing today and I forgot to bring a hat. I did happen to have a tube of sunblock in my golf bag. I'm just curious which of these options the general Paleo community would consider the lesser of two evils.

flag	asked Feb 7 2011 at 3:11 awolf 568●4●14

Eva · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-07 03:24:54Z UTC

Assuming you don't consider going back home as an option and assuming know yourself well enough to know for sure you would burn, then I'd totally choose the sunscreen. Why get too much of both UVB and UVA? When instead you can just get too much of only the UVA, plus suffer less pain later. However, on the rare occasion when I do have to stoop to using sunscreen, I usually only need it in one or two places, like maybe ears and back of neck. Or if I am swimming, then on untanned portions of my back. I typically don't need it on arms and legs and so I don't use it on those parts. And if I was golfing for only 2 or 3 hours in the sun, then personally, I wouldn't need any sunscreen at all. Instead I would skip sunscreen and take the direct sun exposure, which would turn me slightly pink for the day, but I would be back to tan by the morning.

Eliz · Answer 2 · 2011-02-07 03:33:54Z UTC

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Try not to forget the hat. :)

It would depend on how bad of a burn I was looking at. I'd rather turn pink than use sunscreen, but I'd rather use sunscreen than fry. First choice is always covering up or taking advantage of shade though.

You can also get sunscreens that aren't nanoparticles and function more as a physical block to the sun. They're pretty messy though.

answered Feb 7 2011 at 3:33

Eliz
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	My big head looks silly in hats so I "forget" often ;). Good call on the non-nanoparticle sunscreens - will definitely look into those. – awolf Feb 7 2011 at 8:00
	Yeah, there are surprisingly well formulated sunscreens on the market, especially from Australia. Don't settle for anything less than non-nanoparticle, high concentration zinc oxide. It's not particularly flattering, as it will leave some level of white cast, but it shouldn't matter if its not for everyday use. – Jayan Feb 8 2011 at 19:43

Patrik · Answer 3 · 2011-02-07 03:23:23Z UTC

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Bullfrog sunblock for when I surf, dive or fish. Otherwise, I will get burned to a crisp.

answered Feb 7 2011 at 3:23

Patrik♦♦
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+1 for bullfrog. Also good for surfing is Waterman's – awolf Feb 7 2011 at 7:56

Paleo Dan · Answer 4 · 2011-02-07 04:33:16Z UTC

I used to burm fairly easily when I "forgot" the sunscreen/sunblock. This past summer I was outside for hours on end and never turned pink, much less get a full on burn. As far as I know and this might be coincidence, the only difference between this summer and any other is my vitamin D3 level...

A couple winters ago, my level was measured at about 8 ng/mL. Doc had me supplement with D2 for four weeks and got my level up to about 35. By September, it was back down under 20... And I know I got a bit burnt that summer.

Just after that summer, I started supplementing on my own with D3 and got my level up to 115 or so. The following (this past) summer I was outside all the time and got browner than I ever had in the past. It was amazing.

Something to think about if you burn easily...

Kaz · Answer 5 · 2011-02-07 04:36:02Z UTC

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I get delightful little cold-sore outbreaks with sun exposure, and even a modicum of sun sends my fair skin into a crisp. Alas, I would elect for the sunblock.

answered Feb 7 2011 at 4:36

Kaz
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andrew · Answer 6 · 2011-02-07 07:54:19Z UTC

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I never use sunscreen and never have. Starting with just a little exposure early in the year, then gradually up my time in the sun, I prefer to tan and stay in the sun than stay white and stay indoors.

answered Feb 7 2011 at 7:54

andrew
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	That's exactly what I do, build up gradually, it's Febuary I love in England and I still have a little colour :) – Carly Feb 7 2011 at 13:59
	I meant I live in England sorry! – Carly Feb 7 2011 at 13:59

James · Answer 7 · 2011-02-07 08:02:27Z UTC

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Sunscreen. I still have the horrible memories of meeting with a cousin years ago. She was in her 40-50's and a total leathery pruneface. Apparently was a sun goddess when she was younger (and didn't use sunscreen). It wasn't kind to her.

answered Feb 7 2011 at 8:02

James
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	...but maybe with a good diet the sun won't have the same effect on our skin, look at Thai people, they have excellent skin and spend lots of time in the sun. – rob Feb 7 2011 at 15:37
	Undoubtably better with good nutrition, but some memories just don't go away... :) – James Feb 8 2011 at 4:41

KD · Answer 8 · 2011-02-07 03:21:04Z UTC

I don't use sunscreen at all. I wear a hat, I'll go off to the shade when the exposure gets a but much, and will plan to NOT be outside in full sun all day. I prefer a mild sunburn to sunscreen. However, I guess if I knew I were going to have to be in a situation likely to seriously burn some part of me, I'd go for the sunscreen.

Some people suggest coconut oil may help protect from sunburn without the harmful chemicals in sunscreen.

Adam Crafter · Answer 9 · 2011-02-08 12:41:48Z UTC

I burned less often after beginning intermittent fasting and even less than that once I started supplementing with vitamin d3.

Just my personal experience, but oral d3 seems to be a sunburn blocker for me!

I used to be a redhead who would say "I burn like a lit match in direct sun."

I delight in this new 'skill'!

Sunscreen or sunburn. Which do you choose?

9 Answers