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Step 1
Verify the sunblock is water resistant. All sunblocks resist water to some extent but truly water resistant sunblock will maintain protection after 80 minutes of immersion in water. If swimmers are going to be in the sun for long hours, it is best to take time to get out of the sun and re-apply sunblock to highly exposed areas.
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Step 2
Purchase a water-based sunblock. Many waterproof sunblocks leave an oily residue on the skin and swimwear, but water-based sunblocks leave no greasy residue and wash off easily with soap and water.
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Step 3
Determine the SPF rating of the sunblock. Swimmers should not buy a sunblock with a SPF rating of less than 40. UV rays are destructive to skin and swimmers are at a far greater risk of suffering sun related ailments due to their regular exposure to direct sunlight.
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Step 4
Use a physical sunblock made of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide on the face and other areas of greatest exposure. Zinc and titanium sunblocks reflect the harmful rays before they ever reach the surface of the skin. These are also very good for people with sensitive skin.
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Step 5
Apply sunblock at least 20 minutes before swimming. The sunblock requires time to create a layer of protection on the skin's surface. Take a break after a long swim and re-apply sunblock.
Comments
ricoco1 said
on 11/10/2008 What about going to a farmacy and asking for water sports sunblock??? Easier!
heatherjt1 said
on 8/5/2008 Great article....I wish I would have read it before my son suffered from a severe sunburn from being in the pool all day. We knew that being in the water would reflect the sun and make him more prone to sunexposure, however, we used a sunscreen that wasn't totally waterproof (was greasy to boot). P.S. For sunburns, leave a bottle of Aloe in the fridge, get lots of fridge packs (freezer packs stick to the skin...ouch), and the best remedy we discovered was bathing in cool water with cold skim milk poured in or sponge baths with 2 parts water, 1 part skim milk....wash sponge or towels immediately after using them.
Fike said
on 8/5/2008 I always thought that if you were constantly in the water rather than "sun-bathing" on a lawn chair or whatever, this would *reduce* your chance of burning, but you're saying that the opposite is actually the case, right? Thanks! -Larry Fike, http://www.myspace.com/larryfike
grannywomyn said
on 8/5/2008 Thanks for this important information and also to GreenMomma for her recommendation. My daughter and I are going on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean and I would have been woefully unprepared with my current sunblock.
GreenMomma said
on 8/5/2008 I'm a HUGE fan of blue lizard. My kids haven't had one sunburn yet and we are at the pool all summer! My pediatrician, pedatric allergist and pediatric dermatologist ALL recommend this one! *****