suntan lotion and spf

**buzzchamp** · 31-01-2009, 02:21 AM

perhaps its a stupid question but whats a normal factor to get for orlando

I know it depends on skin but my wife is saying she wants spf 10/15 to get a tan and that just sounds dangerously low to me?

How do you work out whats a safe factor and still get a tan?

**Tink** · 31-01-2009, 05:29 AM

I can't honestly answer that question, but I can tell you that we live here and use SPF 50 (and yes, we have "tans" so to speak). We don't try to tan, mind you it just happens.

**Britchick** · 31-01-2009, 10:51 AM

i would go for 40-50 apart from the risk of skin cancer it would be terrible to spend the holiday with sunburn - this can happen in a matter of minutes in Florida.

**Dawn** · 31-01-2009, 02:37 PM

The Florida sun is immensely stronger than ours. I don't use less than 30 in this country so I'd be looking at 50 over there. I'm considered to have "average" skin type on those "how easily do you burn" charts. Even on cloudy days you need it over there.

Never underestimate the danger of the sun.

**MystikPiglit** · 31-01-2009, 03:17 PM

We use at least SPF 30 in Florida, depending which month we are there. Wear it all the time, and remember to re-apply during the day especially after swimming.

**meeshybee** · 17-03-2009, 05:39 AM

I am very fair-skinned and ALWAYS use SPF 50, and I still burn if I'm not careful. Even in winter the sun can be very strong here (I live in northern Florida). I would recommend at least 30. Better to get higher than you need than spend your holiday with a nasty burn, like britchick said.

**Skywatcher** · 17-03-2009, 07:37 AM

I would also use SPF 50 my boys burned in February through thick cloud!!!!

**Taja** · 17-03-2009, 02:16 PM

If I remember correctly, the number following "SPF" is supposed to be the multiplier for the amount of time you usually can be in similar sun without burning. For me, that's about 10 minutes. So, theoretically, SPF 15 would allow me to be in the sun for about 150 minutes (2.5 hours) without burning, assuming I'm not in the water or sweating it off.

Remember, that's theoretical under ideal conditions, which probably includes walking through shady areas periodically, not just baking in the sun.

I normally use SPF 30 and reapply it about every two hours. And wear a hat when working outdoors. But I'm a charter member of the burn, peel and freckle club.