o I found out quite recently that in about 2.8 billion years the sun is probably going to blow up and kill everyone on earth. Pretty bleak right? The interesting thing is that the sun is actually highly capable of killing you before then, with its pesky cancer-causing rays but the damage is way less showy than a great big explosion, so people keep on ignoring the UV death fingers of the evil sun. Sometimes it feels like people forget how damaging the sun can be, so I’m here to be that annoying (yet completely necessary) reminder. Here’s how to stop the sun from killing you.
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1. Remember that skin cancer is worse than hat hair
I’ve recently taken to wearing hats everywhere I go and yes, they do make my hair go a little bit flat but it poofs back up pretty quickly and the plus side is that I’ve protected my delicate little mug from a UV-ray ravaging.
I have two hats – a big swoopy one for proper outdoor times and a little wrap one that I keep in my backpack for my walk to and from my office. Both are very soft, light weight and can be rolled up in a bag for when I’m indoors. Major bonus: I don’t look like too much of a doofus wearing them.
Example of not terrible hats.
2. Remember that skin cancer is worse than sunscreen
Sunscreen is annoying, I know. It’s sticky and greasy. When you sweat it gets in your eyes and makes pain happen. It also smells weird. Unfortunately for you, it’s saving your life, so suck it up princess. Even if you’re outside for ten minutes you need sunscreen on your face, ears, neck, chest, arms and the back of your hands, at the VERY least. If your feet are exposed you should give them some sunscreen love too.
3. Reapply
If you put sunscreen on at 7am in the morning, when you’re doing your make up for the day and then you sit outside for 30 mins at lunch time eating your sanga, you might as well just face plant on a fry pan for all the good it’s doing you. The most hardcore sunscreens last just 3 hours so remember that when you’re doing your lunchtime yoga in the park and make sure you reapply.
4. Stay out of the sun
No one wants to get killed by a poisonous snake so we tend to avoid them but the sun is a seductive little temptress with her feel good endorphins and tingly skin lovely-ness. Don’t be fooled. That bitch be cray. If you’re outside doing stuff, that’s fine. Slather on some SPF 500 Billion and have fun. If it’s not necessary for you to be in the sun, don’t be there.
Look at this creep! ‘Imma gonna kill you!!!’
5. Realise that tans aren’t healthy
You know how everyone thought Michael Jackson was weird for trying to change his skin colour? I’ll just let that one sink in…
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Are you a sun lover? Or a sun hater?
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19 Comments
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I have watched my dad get BCCs cut out since he was in his late 30s. He’s 84 now and still getting one or two a year that need seeing to. So I avoid the sun as much as I can.I love your hats – I also have a big floppy one and a straw visor. Recently purchased a Panama hat – which I am quite loving this summer. Xx
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My family is all olive skinned and I’m just a weird random pale kid in the mix so I’ve always had to be really careful. I get burned so easily!
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I actually know someone who is allergic to the sun, so sometimes when they go out they’ll develop these nasty itchy bumps all over their skin.
It’s not quite as severe as those you see on TV who can’t see daylight, but it can be pretty bad.-
Oh my goodness that’s horrific! That must be so hard to cope with.
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WOW this post really hit home! I was a sun lover until late last year when i had a scare. Now my whole way of thinking has changed. Lots of sunscreen and can not stand to be out in the sun without the right clothing ~ Kate
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I had a scary incident a few years ago when I just got back from India I’d been taking the malaria medication and you absolutely cannot get sunburnt on it and I went to my cousins outdoor wedding and my whole face got burnt! The worst! I’m so careful and the one time when I was supposed to be super careful I fucked up. My nose is still pink 4 years later.
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A lesson I learned yesterday is that those moisturisers with sunscreen in them don’t really work (even if they are 15+) – very red face today (oh yes, and even if you start a walk, on a cloudy day, at 4.30 in Melbourne, it is still possible to get burnt, sadly, if you are outside for long enough)
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That’s so true – you can’t actually physically use enough to make them work. I use a hardcore one on my face every day!
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Don’t hate me but I’m a sun lover. Not only does the Vitamin D truly help with my depression but it also gives a good telling off to the eczema I have so I’m much healthier in the sun than the winter. It might help that I have Italian skin (despite being white) and therefore I go black when I tan. However, I’m careful. I may live at Bondi but I cringe when I see all the ‘lobsters’ sat there. I don’t lie in the sun all day (a couple hours max between swimming/drying off etc) and I listen to how I feel/look if I need to come in sooner. I’m not a ‘anti-sun’ person at all; quite the opposite but there are still limits I won’t cross over and looking like Zoidberg from Futurama is not one of them!
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I love a little bit of sun but it has to be a very little bit for me! I’m either pale or bright red. No inbetween!
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I actually have the opposite problem. My doctor keeps telling me to go out in the sun because I am lacking in Vitamin D. But the sun is gross and hot. And, on the plus side, I have much better skin than pretty much everyone I know around the same age 🙂
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The sun IS gross and hot! I’m so glad you agree! I’m the same… my partner’s mate who hasn’t seen me in years just blurted out over New Year that I haven’t aged. I was pretty stoked! 🙂
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good post, to remind us, even if it’s not hot! thanks smags!
you look great in scarves and hats! … I love hats! and I have a new parasol I won from agent mystery case! 🙂
on a serious note, my uncle recently had a huge melanoma cut out of his face and they had to take an eye! … horrendous!
sun vizors don’t stop rays reaching the scalp!
I’m tired! good night! love m:)X-
Exactly! Melbourne weather is insane – I can get burnt on a rainy day!
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Haha… Yes. I am with you on all accounts however I am just forgetful!!! I need a lttle sunscreen reminder that goes of or even better – a little portable bottle. It’s super inportant though so harp on about all you like! x
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I have 1 bottle near my make-up, one in my car and one in my handbag! I’m never without it!
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Great post, so many people still just can’t cope without a tan. Me, I have had to stand naked and have my freckly Photography done, I have to check all my freckles every 3 months, and that’s a bit of checking. I find that a summer scarf comes in really handy these days too. easy to stuff in a bag and covers up lots when you need it in a hurry. I am also very aware of getting lots of Vitamin D, it’s essential for all of us and too many Aussies just don’t have enough, you really really really need it. But, you don’t need to burn to be getting your D vibes.
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Oh of course! I’m freckly but not crazy freckly. I’m a scarf fiend in summer too! I’m really paranoid about my decollatage so I’m constantly keeping it covered up!
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Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer globally. My life’s mission is to encourage young Australian’s to stop baking themselves in the sun and to fake their tans. It’s the only preventable cancer – and 2 out of 3 Australian’s will have skin cancer during their life.
