Slip, slop, slap as most aussies would say (repeating the 80’s advertising health message), which means slap on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat. Finding shade and putting on a pair of sunglasses is a sensible move encouraged too.
Though according to wikipedia (ahem…), “Since this campaign was introduced along with advertisements and a jingle, the incidence of the two most common forms of skin cancer (basal-cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) in Australia has decreased. However, the incidence of melanoma - the most lethal form of skin cancer - has increased.”
I work and play outside and went the suncreen way for many years with and without shirts, hats etc., depending on what i was doing, but now I just prefer long sleeve tops and a hat for most activities outdoors, and haven’t bothered with as much sunscreen.
Sunscreen in the eyes can be a problem when applied to your head and face, but the hat solves most of those concerns. If you do use suncreen on your head and face you can lessen and almost avoid the stuff running into your eyes, if after applying, let it absorb, then splash your face and head with water (don’t rub), then blot dry with a towel without smudging or smearing the skin (which would remove some of the sunscreen). Works well 90% of the time, but the hat, 100%.
Yes extra clothing is hotter when it’s hot, or is not as good a feeling in the water (when wearing a rashy), but their are other options available.
Exercise before 0900 and after 1500 and avoid the really strong midday sun if that’s an option. Eat lot’s of fresh fruit and vegetables (real food without an ingredients list and a short shelf life), and avoid processed denatured stuff, and see how your skin reacts to the sun as a result.
Sun exposure before 0900 and after 1500 could help you develop a base tan to help protect you a bit more if caught out in stronger midday sun, or when obviously racing during those hours either side of midday.
Emilio DeSoto (www.desotosports.com) does a range of sun blocking and cooling clothing. It’s available in black or white, and I like his ‘cool wings’ that add/give full shoulder and arm coverage to some vests and tri tops you might still want to use. He does equivalent leggings and also a great l/s skin cooler top with pockets down the spine. I wear mine on it’s own or under other tops or shirts.
Even soaked in sweat and obviously very wet when running in a race in the midday sun last year, I found the skin cooler fabric used in the cool wings felt fantastic after i jumped into a stream to cool off and rinse my face, head and neck mid-race. I splashed water on the sleeves and the cooling sensation was fantastic and lasted a while until my focus shifted back to the race itself.
Emilio’s website does talk about the SPF factor of all his garments and their use with sunscreen is still recommended with some, but when just using the addition of the cool wings to a vest, and the use of a hat, I have suffered none of the sunburn issues my friends have had when using just vests, t-shirts etc. with sunblock in races and when training. So for me, covering up has been the best move, and the downside is not a problem (wearing extra clothes).
I’ll add that I don’t understand the thinking behind people who at the race venues, when hydrated, hot and sweating, potentially stressed, finish setting up their transition then 5 to 15 mins before the race, slop on the sunscreen. It’s almost like an after thought and the pink and red lobsters you see later in the day are the result!
When i’ve used it in races I applied it after getting up in the morning and immediately after a cool shower, then employed the splash/blot technique on my head and face, and never had a problem.
Try the full coverage with long sleeves etc using cool wings or the l/s skin cooler top, but i’ve also found that I prefer wearing two layers for outdoor work, hiking, hill running, biking etc.
The first layer closer fitting to my skin, and the second outer one looser. Any clothing is going to feel hotter than nothing if that was your preferred choice initially when it’s hot and sunny, but I’ve got used to it, and I find the first closer fit item soaks up the sweat, and the outer looser shirt provides air flow and stays loose, where as just wearing the one outer loose fit, my skin is soaked quickly when working or exercising and sweating, and the one outer just clings to me. Either way it’s hotter than bare skin in most situations, but by choice for sun protection, so no problem.
Lot’s of options.