Sunscreen Advice?

[MusicalEighth]

Hi everyone,

After my transplant, my doctors told me anti-rejection meds increase the risk of skin cancer. They said I should use sunscreen, wear sun protective clothing and hats, and stay in the shade as much as possible when outdoors, which I do.

Here’s my question: How do you re-apply sunscreen when you’re attending outdoor events, like family re-unions in public parks or at someone else’s home?

It’s easy for me to re-apply sunscreen when I’m in my own home, but when I’m in an unfamiliar location, I’m nervous that I’m not getting my hands clean enough before I re-apply sunscreen on my face. Also, the longer the event lasts, the more often I re-apply sunscreen, and the more I do that, the more I end up with sunscreen running into my eyes and white streaks all across my face.

I would really like to figure out a better way to re-apply sunscreen on my face when I’m at outdoor events. What do you do?

Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone here has a good summer.

[PostivelyJo]

buy the clear spray type ?

[LisaSnow]

To be honest I am almost never outdoors without a hat or long sleeves sun clothing (Coolibar is my favorite brand). Because my skin is rarely exposed while outdoors, I just apply waterproof sunscreen on the exposed areas (face, neck, feet, hands) before going out and not worry about reapplication.The exception is if I go to the beach, then I re apply waterproof sunscreen using a stick formula (easy to carry).

[Transplant314 in reply to LisaSnow]

bring a pocket size hand sanitizer with you and use that before applying the sunscreen on your face. I always carry some for restaurants, after I go into a grocery store etc.

[MusicalEighth in reply to LisaSnow]

Coolibar is my favorite, too!

[SeaDragon05 in reply to LisaSnow]

I agree as well - 2 years out

[Tankjsl]

I have a 3 oz pocket size “Signature Sun Bum 50 spf” lotion that easily fits in my pocket or could go in a purse, backpack, etc. I use it when I’m playing golf and also own a boat (which I love). Actually I keep one of these small lotion dispensers in my car too in case I need it. Since my transplant I have had the Mohs procedure to take care of 2 spots of cancer and have had several pre-cancer spots removed too. I see the dermatologist at least 2 times a year and have a great connection with her that if I have a concern she will work me in to her schedule. I have a quantity of sun shirts, solar sleeves (great for golf), and big brim hats. I simply try to stay vigilant about it but still enjoy life outdoors.

[MusicalEighth in reply to Tankjsl]

I just looked at the Sun Bum website and found a couple of products I would like to try. Thanks for mentioning them!

[Tankjsl]

one other thing….. every morning after I shave, I don’t use aftershave, I use Cera Ve morning face cream with spf 30 in it. I use it everyday regardless of it being sunny, rainy, winter, spring… etc. Best of luck!

[littlelinda50]

I guess I am a rebel because when I go out I don't wear protective clothing or a big hat but sometimes I wear my baseball hat. I do apply sunscreen and if I am out in the sun long periods I do reapply it. When I go to the beach I do wear waterproof sunscreen. For my face I use sunscreen for the face I feel it doesn't streak like regular sunscreen. I even lay out with my girls to get my tan on! I have been to the dermatologist and my skin is great. She told me it looks very good for my age! I am an 80s teen we use baby oil to tan so that surprise me. I do have a skin care routine that I do on the daily. I feel the waterproof sunscreens tend to not run as your outside sweating. Look for ones that say sweat proof too.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to littlelinda50]

I take cyclosropine. I just had surgery for melanoma in January. On my wrist. They cut all the way down to the fascia to remove the cancer, in an area about the size of a half dollar. Looks like a shark took a bite out of it. It was general anesthesia. Skin is tight around your wrist so they had to take a skin graft from my stomach. I now have a four inch by 1/4 inch puffy red line on my abdomen. . That scar will take a year to “mature” so it’s no longer so angry red.

It’s June - 6 months post op - and no way is it 100% healed- I still have numbness and pain , which is normal.

The skin graft from my stomach is paler than my arm skin and it will take a YEAR to blend in and match. It hurts when I life heavy things.

I see a dermatologist every 3 months for full body mole check.

I hope you truly understand that melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and it can grown quickly. If you want to be a “rebel”, know you are taking a gigantic chance with your life. Skin cancer can be fatal.

Everyone should re-apply after two hours.

[littlelinda50 in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

I do understand and I do apply sunscreen with high SPF but I don't wear long sleeves or big hats. I am dealing with hot flashes from a medication not menopause unfortunately. I don't lay in the sun daily but if my girls are I will go out and lay with them with sunscreen on. I do understand about how dangerous and deadly skin caner can be my sister had it. Just like her she puts sunscreen on but still goes outside. She even has ran marathons since she had the skin cancer. All we can do is what each of us feels we need to for our protection against skin cancer. My daughter and I actually use a fake tan gel to get that tan we like but I tan easy and don't even have to lay out. My arms are golden just from the driving I do with using SPF. I also know my skin is this way because of my ethnicity which also has a lot to do with our skin too.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to littlelinda50]

Skin being tan = cell damage - Sheri Feldman, M.D., dermatologist. I don’t understand why anyone thinks being “tan” is a good thing at all. It is not.

[Tashikat in reply to littlelinda50]

Its great skin until its not. We are at a much greater risk of skin cancer on antirejection meds. I was a sun giddess back in the day, & just had a chunk burned off my face. Cover up & stay healthy. Enjoy !

[littlelinda50 in reply to Tashikat]

So sorry you had to go through that and your right we are at risk. That is why I SPF all year round. My girls even are thinking more about their skin and protecting it and do good skin care. I also choose foundation or tinted moisturizer with SPF in it.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

Spray on! That’s what I use. Not the stuff that goes all over I buy expensive one that is mostly just a pump, not an aerosol can. Wear a long sleeve sunshirt, like REI carries. Also, I have sunscreen that looks Ike foundation. It’s a cream. Some dermatologists like mine sell their own product line.

[MusicalEighth in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

My doctors told me not to use the aerosol sprays, but I didn't know there are pump / non-aerosol alternatives. I will have to see if I can find some. Thanks!

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to MusicalEighth]

You hold it top button down, some squirts, that’s it. It’s not a trigger you depress and it keeps coming.

However I just checked they may not sell it anymore.

There is such a thing as sunscreen powder. yes, powder. They sell that and I’ve seen it at high end department stores.

I’m a little concerned if I should post the website, I don’t want to violate any rules here is kopelsonclinic.com

[LisaSnow in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

The reason spray was not recommended is that they yield incomplete coverage if you just spray and go. As long as you spread out the product evenly after the spray action you still can use it. The powder is not nearly as effective because you can't see it and have no visual assurance if you get enough on or if it got on all surface of the skin. They are also very expensive. I tried them and got burned!

[MToQ]

Sprays are definitely the way to go when you need to reapply. Put a thick base at home and use shirts with UV Protection and a hat. And spray as needed.

[TeacherMommy]

I have had a hard time deciding what type of sunscreen to use (I have tried many!).

Recommendations of any people have tried and really like?

A few years ago (maybe 10?) there were reports about sunscreen potentially causing harm to both people wearing it and to the environment. I have researched it various times but don’t have the details handy right now. I mostly use mineral sunscreens now, but would like to find alternatives that are less weighty and greasy. For me as a transplant patient the most important thing is wearing sunscreen of whatever kind. But, I would also like to find one that I am comfortable with ethically. The other qualities (sweat and water proof, etc are also important because I get sweaty outdoors and swim too).

Appreciate you sharing your experiences and pooling our knowledge here. Thanks!

[MusicalEighth in reply to TeacherMommy]

Like you, I've tried many sunscreens. Although I like some better than others, I haven't found any I really like enough to recommend. I mostly use SPF 50, 60, or 70, and I almost always use facial sunscreens for my face and body sunscreens for the rest of my skin. I don't have good results when I put a body sunscreen on my face. I also use lip balm with SPF. I've started using the Skin Cancer Foundation's website to get ideas for what to try.

[TeacherMommy]

thanks! I will try their website.

[LisaSnow in reply to TeacherMommy]

I use fragrance free sunscreen even indoors and when being out a while, I trust Japanese brands as their water resistance and Rob off resistance technology is the best

Sunscreen

[TeacherMommy in reply to LisaSnow]

Thank you! Is Eucerine Japanese based? I was just looking at their sunscreens.

I need to better at putting on sunscreen first thing in AM because it is those incidental car-to-building times that are adding up for me. When I go out for a longer time I am all greased up and/or wearing sun shirts.

[LisaSnow in reply to TeacherMommy]

Eucerin is a German brand. They make SPF 50 ones too.

[LisaSnow in reply to TeacherMommy]

cvs.com/shop/eucerin-sun-se... is a all mineral one spf 50. I personally prefer chemical or mixed type sunscreen, because zinc oxide sunscreen can add a white cast on the face.

[Jepsos]

I use pump spray Sun Bum sunscreen 50spf mineral sunscreen. They also have an amazing roll-on mineral spf.