Skin question (swollen, doctor, medication, ingredients)

[redwhiteblue]

I am hoping someone here can help me.

I have fair skin and because medication need to stay out of the sun.
I wear two layer of sunscreen every day = 60 spf combined and still am getting sun burned. I even have a sun screen on the driver's side of my car.

Does anyone have any suggestions or answers as to why this would happen?

Thanks!

[stone-ground]

I'm no expert, but have heard theories that after about 20spf, it doesn't really work .. maybe it's 30 .. but supposedly the 60 won't protect for more time than the 30 would.

There is clothing, that're really light and breathable, that filters out the harmful rays .. if you have to be out in the sun for long. I don't have any of the clothes, but a friend shops for them in Portland, Oregon .. and not being from the States, I can't remember the clothing line name. Some outdoorsy type name .. helpful, aren't I?

[songinthewind7]

Sunscreen doesn't have a very long shelf life and needs to be replaced at least every year.

[redwhiteblue]

I should specify that it is only my face that is sensitive to the sunlight.

[redwhiteblue]

Originally Posted by stone-ground

I'm no expert, but have heard theories that after about 20spf, it doesn't really work .. maybe it's 30 .. but supposedly the 60 won't protect for more time than the 30 would.

I have actually heard that too, but I was desperate

[puffle]

you need a strong sunblock with heliotrope,not a sunscreen.

[Mozart271]

Your medication may be making you extremely sensitive to very small amounts of sun. Be sure you glop on a thick layer of sunscreen. Also, if your face is swollen, scaling, or doing anything other than just getting red, be sure to see your doctor. On occasion, sunscreens themselves can cause sun-sensitivity (!), so you might experiment with the chemical-free sunblocks containing titanium.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

[Bhavnani]

I think a company Bioderma produces a sunscreen with spf 100. Have you tried it?

Also, sunscreens with high percentage of Zinc Oxide in them are said to offer better sunscreen protection. A company zo-1 produces sunscreens with zinc oxide as the main ingredient.

An Indian company 'Jovees' produces 100% chemical free sunscreen with ingredients like Liquorice, AloeIndica, Sandalwood & Wheatgerm etc. Maybe you should try their spf 45 sun block.

Personally I use 'Kalahari hat' produced by an Australian company called UVETO. It provides complete protection of the face. I have worn this hat even in temperatures of 40 -45 degrees celsius (along with non-chemical sunscreen like 'jovees') and not experienced even mild sun burn on my face....

So maybe you should try a high spf sunscreen plus wear a hat when you go out in the sun....