fair skinned people around phoenix? (living, move, air quality)

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by PoppySead

I was surprised at what a healthy state Arizona was. It was a very nice surprise when I saw that we actually stack up quite well with the rest of the country.
I think more people are happy here, the weather makes you feel fit and happy.

True, but as you said earlier: moderation is the key. A little variety in the weather would be good once in a while too. I truly believe we get a little too much sunshine ... and worse yet, too many people who move here for senseless reasons like the abundant sun, and not enough who move here for important reasons like jobs. Too much sun and dry weather simply is not good for a person's health. I brought up in the thread about air quality how dust, and resulting Valley Fever is a huge issue here ... as are health concerns like Sjogrens Syndrome (few people even know what that is, but the symptoms tend to be worse in a dry climate like this).

But yes, the weather here can make you feel fit and happy ... and broke too. Thanks to the abnormal lack of rain in the past two months, I have the high water bills to prove it!

[PoppySead]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

True, but as you said earlier: moderation is the key. A little variety in the weather would be good once in a while too. I truly believe we get a little too much sunshine ... and worse yet, too many people who move here for senseless reasons like the abundant sun, and not enough who move here for important reasons like jobs. Too much sun and dry weather simply is not good for a person's health. I brought up in the thread about air quality how dust, and resulting Valley Fever is a huge issue here ... as are health concerns like Sjogrens Syndrome (few people even know what that is, but the symptoms tend to be worse in a dry climate like this).

But yes, the weather here can make you feel fit and happy ... and broke too. Thanks to the abnormal lack of rain in the past two months, I have the high water bills to prove it!

I have Sjogrens Syndrome and while I hate always being dried out, eyes, mouth, etc. I use humidifiers in my home and go on enjoying it here. I get dry everywhere I go, rain or not actually. It's me, not the environment. Valley Fever isn't something I worry about but either is flu season and most people are ok, some are not. That sucks but tis old life and I've seen a lot of it.
The sun makes me happy, I think that is a great reason to move here. Being happy helps you stay healthy, and positive. The sun isn't for everyone, and if it isn't your cup of tea then I wouldn't come but I don't think you should avoid the valley because of the sun, illness, etc. Not realistic to me. Now electricity bills. lol

[christiner81]

i am very fair. i have a lot of different sunscreens on hand and i rarely ever purposely try to get sun on me. i don't feel pressure to be tan. skin cancer is no joke.

[Jukesgrrl]

I agree about sunscreen but have two other things to add. If you're doing the sunscreen properly, you probably need to add a vitamin D pill to your day. Every person I know in AZ who has had a blood test for vitamin D finds out they're deficient.

Also, if you come here with a car that doesn't have tinted windows, get it done. When I first came here I became sunburned on the left side of my face and neck in the middle of winter -- when it was cool outside and my windows were up. I drove for less than an hour and because the window wasn't tinted I was shocked to find I had a bad sunburn. Never occurred to me one part of my body had been "sun bathing."

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

Also, if you come here with a car that doesn't have tinted windows, get it done.

Great advice! Needless to say it also keeps the inside of the car cooler.

[las vegas drunk]

To the people who are advocating and using sunscreen, you are doing more harm than good.

Sunscreen use actually causes cancer, it doesn't prevent it, says exhaustive scientific research

[PoppySead]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

To the people who are advocating and using sunscreen, you are doing more harm than good.

Sunscreen use actually causes cancer, it doesn't prevent it, says exhaustive scientific research

Is that why when I dropped some on my cool deck it proceeded over the week to eat a hole in it the size of an orange? (I'm not joking either)
Nothing rubbed into your skin on a daily basic can be a great thing. Skin is absorbent. In the old days we had a saying, don't rub anything on ya you wouldn't eat a spoon of.
Most people aren't going to listen to natural advise though I'm afraid, only us old moms.
If you are fair skinned just limit your time in direct sun, wear a hat and long sleeves if you have to be out in it a long time. They even make swim clothing for the pools. I always have a visor on in the summer.

[Lee151]

Growing up in the 1970's in Phoenix I did feel pressure to be tanned and I am very fair skinned. When I was diagnosed with skin cancer in 1999 here in Portland OR the first thing my dermatologist asked was "where did I grow up" ....Nowadays people are smarter and I know more people with tans in Oregon (tanning booths) than Phoenix.

I've missed the sunshine for the twenty six years I've lived in Portland. If you do move to Phoenix, I'd wait until fall so you can acclimate slowly...

[ysr_racer]

I'll let you guys in on a little secret.

Back in the 80's when I lived in AZ, I would "occasionally" meet young women in bars. Somewhere along the line of chatting them up, the topic of age always came up.

I had an easy recipe for closing the deal. I would just think how old they looked, and subtract 10 to 12 years. It worked everytime.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by SD33

My wife and I are seriously considering moving from rainy Washington to the Phoenix area. We both love heat and the sun does wonders for our mood. However, lately I've been starting to wonder how my fair skin is going to hold up. If you are fair skinned and live in Arizona I'd like to hear what your experience has been. Annoying applying sun screen all the time? Feel pressure to be more tan? Just stay in the shade when by the pool? Is this even an issue at all?

I'm fair-skinned and I always use sunblock whenever I'm planning on being out in the sun for a long while.

Sunblock should be used even in the winter months on bright sunny days.

Most people stay indoors in the summertime, simply too hot to be outdoors for too long in the daytime.

Take precautions and avoid long sun exposure. If you are an outdoor-type person, do most of your outdoor activities in the cooler months or after sunset in the warmer months.

Most important thing you can do is keep hydrated, water is key to survival here.