So questions on Skin and Feet for a first timer!!!!

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:38 pm

So I don't tan unless I try really really hard, so I was wondering what sunblock is recommended, like 95 ect...

And for my feet, I have heard that the playa can be rough on the feet! So just lotion, or something else would be good! And if it is really bad, how many bottles should I bring!! I was thinking like two maybe!! (that is for a 2 to 5 person group that is!)

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:50 pm

I don't tan well either; so I start working on my base a month or so before I go. Then I start out with a block of 60 the first day or two, and lower it to 45, then 30, and 8 if I see I'm not burning towards the end of the week. The first year, I used 60 the entire time and came home as white as I came. Last year I got a nice tan with no burn.

Regarding feet, I don't go without shoes and use lotion every night. (We have showers set up in our camp so we shower every day too, which really helps.)

I've been reading about vinegar as being good to counter-act the alkyline of the playa so I'm thinking of bringing a spray bottle of vinegar next year too. Especially for my hands (cuticles were effected even though I used lotion).

I'm sure there will be many other suggestions. Plus this topic has been addressed in other threads. Do a search. I even posted the consumer reports 'best' sun tan lotions.

JK

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:54 pm

hummm, alright thank you!

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:00 pm

a good foot bath a couple of times a day, plus shoes and socks will keep them feet feeling nice. lotion may actually attract the playa, clean dry feet is what you want...

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:19 pm

alright, thank you!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:31 pm

I bring lots of socks.
Wash my feet when I can.
That's all.

I use coppertone sport sunblock in a manual squeeze spray.
Rated 30 but seems to outperform everything else.
It is important to have something to use on odd places like ears, head, etc.
Odd exposed places like calves, ankles and so on can burn badly and rapidly.

Get the best hat you can find and it must have a cinch.

For hands and when I need it on my arms, I use neutrogena body emulsion no fragrance.
With that I have had almost no reaction to the sunblock.
Depending on the humidity, you may need it on your face too.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:28 pm

Most ( if not all ) of your questions may be answered here...

http://www.ae-zone.org/Tips/tipscontents.html

pizzamancer · Post by **pizzamancer** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:30 pm

I flew there from Japan, and although it was hot, the angle of the sun isn't as bad as here, so it was actually less harsh on my skin. I have light skin and blond hair and been lobsterized in 30 minutes here in Japan. None of that at BRC. I slapped on my daily spf 60 sun tan lotion and that was that.

As for feet, just have a decent pair of shoes, and buy a package of new socks. Simon of the playa has a great video and that is where I picked up that tip. By far the best advice I have seen anywhere for playa survival. Dust is everywhere, and by the 3rd day pulling those nice clean soft socks out of the plastic bag they came in was my highlight of the morning. I had happy feet.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:18 pm

I put on a new sock every day. Lotioned twice a day, morning and bedtime, did a couple foot bath's with water and vinegar and I was good to go. The key is to keep them, and the rest of you moisterized. Also drink lots of water. I heard others who drank pickle juice to counteract the playa from within.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:23 pm

That makes sense!

What lotion did you use???

Or does it matter?

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:57 am

I use Gold Bond Foot Cream for feet, and Coppertone Sport (30~70) for sunblock, plus a lighter facial sunblock ... although since I wear a Big Ass Shade Hat, I can get away with Oil of Olay on my face. We also bring Bag Balm for hands and feet if they do get dry and irritated, and Aloe Vera gel in case someone does burn.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:45 am

Sail Man wrote:I put on a new sock every day.

So, right foot on Monday Wednesday and Friday and Sunday? and left on Tuesday Thursday Saturday and Exodus?

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:48 pm

That is what i was thinking on bringing, Bag Balm! How will it effect in sunburns though!!(because there is oil in it)

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:00 pm

Bag Balm won't block the sun. You want to get a sunblock lotion made for that. Bag balm is a key ingredient in your first aid kit, but you will need more than that for daily wear.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:11 pm

No, like if i put it on my hands, feet or any other part of me that is irritated by the playa, over my sunblock, do you think I will get a sunburn because of the oil over the sunblock maybe? Hummm

I might have answered my own question here???

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:14 pm

Sunblock during the day, bag balm at night.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:46 pm

Wiki:

Contrary to the common advice that sunscreen should be reapplied every 2â€“3 hours, some research has shown that the best protection is achieved by application 15â€“30 minutes before exposure, followed by one reapplication 15â€“30 minutes after the sun exposure begins. Further reapplication is only necessary after activities such as swimming, sweating, and rubbing.[15]

However, more recent research at the University of California, Riverside, indicates that sunscreen needs to be reapplied within 2 hours in order to remain effective. Not reapplying could even cause more cell damage than not using sunscreen at all, due to the release of extra free radicals from those sunscreen chemicals which were absorbed into the skin.[16] Some studies have shown that people commonly apply only 1/2 to 1/4 of the amount recommended to achieve the rated SPF, and the effective SPF should be downgraded to a square or 4th root of the advertised value. [17]

I use the body emulsion over the sunblock later on in the most exposed areas.
I haven't burned yet, so I am at least getting protection as I burn easily.
I don't reapply at all unless I have wiped down or washed an area.
The sport stuff seems as persistent as promised.

I did actually tan, so I'm getting some sun.
And I never tan either, so I'm happy.
I wear full sunshade hat and so on.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:30 pm

ok, i guess I will just bring an aray of shit then!

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:00 pm

Mrs.Sunshine wrote:ok, i guess I will just bring an aray of shit then!

I think that is the true burner spirit!

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:52 pm

BAS wrote:
Mrs.Sunshine wrote:ok, i guess I will just bring an aray of shit then!
I think that is the true burner spirit!

I guess so huh!

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:25 am

what about shoes vs boots?

i see a lot of images where people are wearing boots on the playa, and i assume theyd combat dust effectively.

however, i find boots are rougher on your feet, due to somewhat limited flexability?

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:39 am

Make sure to bring a couple pair of shoes/boots, that way when one pair gives you blisters or is drenched in something GROSS you have something else to PUT ON. (I bring 6-10 pairs of slippers, tennis shoes, rubber boots, fuzzy boots, thongs these are important sooooo when you get out of the tub you don't have to put clean feet on playa and your toes can be out for a few moments...)
I like the KEDS type white tennis shoes cheap, comfortable and you can decorate them. THey are great to dance in and they show off cute socks nicely. Burning Is ALL ABOUT FASHION soooooo make sure what ever you put on your feet their CUTE!!!! LOL

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:50 am

Sail Man wrote: I heard others who drank pickle juice to counteract the playa from within.

Pickle juice is a great chaser after a shot of tequila! Try it... it works.

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:38 pm

In 2007, I came home with my hands in really beat up condition from all of the work building and tearing down our camp. This year I wore gloves whenever we were doing that stuff and it helped immensely. My hands recovered in one week instead of 3. Liberal applications of Neutrogena hand lotion helps too.

SonOfUgly · Post by **SonOfUgly** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:56 pm

i was barefoot the whole time and didnt have a shirt on without sunbloke...most the time i burn easy but not out there and my feet were good, guess i was just lucky or sumthing

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:37 am

Yeah, i will burn, my boyfriend says I have baby skin, everything effects it, but I dont care, I can deal with it... Just take the precautions...

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:58 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:
Sail Man wrote:I put on a new sock every day.
So, right foot on Monday Wednesday and Friday and Sunday? and left on Tuesday Thursday Saturday and Exodus?

Good one Crypto, good one! ya got me there.

I used Burts Bee's. I also took a dish pan and soaked my foot in vinegar water. Left foot on odd days, right foot on even days.

Make sure you take extra shoes for use once you leave the playa, sealed in a bag. If nothing else, its a good way to pick out burners off the playa in case you forget.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:13 pm

Its been a while but some time ago I collected a bunch of skin potions that claimed to toughen, protect, and otherwise shield your skin from chemical harm.

I can report that the one called "skinwear" works best for me. Its touted as a soil-blocking germ-killing skin gel and rubs on like lotion. Meant for hands but I used it on hands and feet out on the playa daily last year, it worked wonders. I used to have to be in socks and shoes/boots constantly, and playa dust really dried out my hands fast even with regular lotioning.

So I tentitively tried out this stuff and went with sandals a day...no tingly playa dust dryness! Washed feet, reapplied twice a day. Went in sandals ALL WEEK woo! (except for when boots were called for during construction projects for footsie protection) Even went completely barefoot all morning one day. That would have had my plain feet cracked and playafooted, I don't have nice tough skinned feet like some lucky folks. Anyways, the skinwear stuff is good, more info at their website http://www.skinwearusa.com/, they still send out free samples.

Mrs.Sunshine · Post by **Mrs.Sunshine** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:37 am

Thank you very much! i will try that!

HalfNHalf · Post by **HalfNHalf** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:34 am

[quote]I used Burts Bee's. I also took a dish pan and soaked my foot in vinegar water. Left foot on odd days, right foot on even days.[/quote]

I have a feeling EVERY day is gonna be an ODD day on the playa... and besides, didn't those bees sting the shit out of your feet?!?

I can't wait to meet you crazies, I'll feel so at home :D

So questions on Skin and Feet for a first timer!!!!

So questions on Skin and Feet for a first timer!!!!

skinwear works for me