Sun protection without sunscreen

[GinnyDragon54]

Hi! I am hoping to go to Burning Man in the future, but I have never been before. I'm originally from Florida, so I know how I react to the sun (I know Florida's humid heat is different than the dry heat of the desert, but the sun is the sun, right?) I'm fair skinned and VERY prone to sunburn, but I can't wear sunscreen (I burn worse with sunscreen than without - I think it's some sort of allergy/sensitivity but IDK). Any tips on sun protection that doesn't require sunscreen? I'm thinking my wardrobe will likely consist of Palazzo pants and light, long sleeved shirts. I'll probably also wear a wide brimmed hat with a strap to keep it from blowing away. Does this seem like a good idea? Any other suggestions? As far as modesty goes, I'm not opposed to being nude/scantily clad, but I don't need to be either (and considering my tendency to burn, it's probably not a good idea for me to be uncovered for more than a few minutes out in the elements). Thanks!

[some seeing eye]

You are on the right track. Many people "stay in" maybe 10-3. I have found the underside of my nose gets burned from sunlight reflecting off the soil, which is beige. You probably have a similar problem with lightly colored sand.

[Canoe]

All sorts of things may reflect UV. At least there's no water...

With the higher altitude, there's also less UV protection as there's less atmosphere between you and the sun.

Maybe look into the zinc covers for nose and ear lobes, etc..

For the strong winds blowing playa soil up into a dust bowl or even into a white out or a full dust storm, you want something like a cotton bandana to cover your face except for sunglasses, even covering your ears to protect them from the wind, so you can always make that do double duty.

[DoctorIknow]

Columbia is just one of many manufacturers of full length sleeve, multi-pocketed, lightweight SPF shirts. Expensive, but I've worn the same one at BurningMan (only worn there) for about 15 years. I have a white one, which becomes grey by mid-week, when I wash it, and it dries very quickly.

How about a long beaked baseball cap with something like this:

facemask2.jpg

[GinnyDragon54]

Columbia is just one of many manufacturers of full length sleeve, multi-pocketed, lightweight SPF shirts. Expensive, but I've worn the same one at BurningMan (only worn there) for about 15 years. I have a white one, which becomes grey by mid-week, when I wash it, and it dries very quickly.

How about a long beaked baseball cap with something like this:
facemask2.jpg

We got some Columbia shirts as layering pieces when we went to Israel 12 years ago, and they were great! It's a wonder I didn't think of that before! Thanks for the tip! ^_^

[Elliot]

Hi, Ginny, welcome to ePlaya!
I am a white-skinned Scandinavian, and I go nude much of the time on Playa -- mostly without sunscreen.

My "secret" is that I build a natural tan very gradually over four to six months. It is simply part of my daily routine to take "an early siesta" for 1/2 to 1 hour in my back-yard -- Noon-ish now, and 9-ish come summer.

By late August I have a good tan all over and do not easily burn.

I realize not everyone can goof off in a reasonably private spot while working for a living. But if you can, I certainly recommend it. With a good tan all over, there simply are no spots that suddenly burn when your outfit happens to not cover such areas.

Even if you can sunbathe all over only on weekends, it will help.

[gaminwench]

I have a ridiculous collection of the 'neck' gaiters. I use them in my hair (so many options!), as masks, as neck warmers, as wrist deco.

Highly recommend.

On the other hand, I've never needed sunscreen. I'm a freak like that.

[unjonharley]

Check out ""Shawl sleeves" for golf . They cover the arm and tops of the hand

[TinBasher]

Well 2020 didn't happen but if you still plan on going in addition to what's been said so far you could try a full length outfit like a dress, cape or onesie. Also (I've never tried it myself) but people use parasols and even build shade structures on to their bikes. I have the benefit of being able to wear sunscreen but I am also fair skinned (as in fry to a crisp before I tan) and I try to get out a half hour or so per day sans protection to try and build a base tan. After a while a base tan and a light coating of dust work wonders. Of course the first shower you take you have to watch a good portion of your 'base tan' go down the drain. Anyway good luck!

[Savannah]

Well 2020 didn't happen but if you still plan on going in addition to what's been said so far you could try a full length outfit like a dress, cape or onesie. Also (I've never tried it myself) but people use parasols and even build shade structures on to their bikes.

Indeed, I do love my parasol. I don't hold it while riding a bike (I close it and lay it across the handlebars). But I use it on foot--when headed to the bathroom, or to buy ice, to stand in line for something, or to walk a distance not worth biking. All that sun adds up!

The only time you really have to put a parasol down is during strong gusts of wind.

I would probably also design a bike shade to be purposefully collapsible if wind is bad enough--but I have never designed one personally. Someone who has would be able to speak to that a little better than I.


For myself, I also like pashminas (huge, wide scarves) to drape across forehead, upper chest and shoulders, and then do sunscreen for bare arms, hands, etc. Some of the spray-sunscreens higher in alcohol can irritate; Aveeno spray (among others) does a good job of not doing so. My face gets Eucerin SPF 30 facial (lotion) sunscreen, or occasionally a spray.

When I get a coating of dust eventually on top of the (dried) sunscreen I don't scrape it off; it'll burn. I have good luck with letting it sit. It can generally be left on until an evening shower (or a wash with a proper amount of spritzed water and soap).

[Jordancc]

UPF fabric for the win. You can get quite stylish stuff now online (coolibar, bloquv, solbari, . It tends to be expensive but you can sometimes snag stuff on sale. You can also order UPF fabrics by the yard online - I've done that and made a couple of shrugs that cover my arms and chest, with thumbholes, and mesh panels under the arms (why nobody sells this already I will never know).

You definitely want a broad-brimmed hat that is rated UPF 50+ and that has a chin strap. It keeps your hat on during dust storms and biking across the playa, and you can hang it off your backpack when not in use.

[staciabaylor]

Daytime: uv shirts with full sleeves and a big hat.

Nighttime: you go show what you want to show.

Or.....just go nocturnal. A ton of people do because of the heat during the day and the amazing shit that happens during the night.

[Lonesomebri]

The internet provides alot of information. Check the lable for gluten free options. But I swear by umbrellas

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[Vodka_tracksuit]

Head to toe as Arab Sheikh, best sun protection

[junglesmacks]

OK, I'mmadrop some serious knowledge here and I'm (for once.. ok.. maybe twice..) serious. These capsules are a complete game changer.

With a single capsule, you can make your entire body sun resistant in a systemic fashion for about 8 hours. No joke. All natural. It's like being naturally covered in SPF 30.

These were recommended to my dear wife Fluffy years back by her dermatologist and has changed her life as a fair skin person. We've turned so many people on to them and changed lives. THEY WORK!