Sunscreen Application Frequency?

[Gondor]

How frequently should you apply sunscreen to achieve maximum protection? I always buy the maximum factor and apply it every two hours and I still get sunburned.

[Grandpa]

My perpetual farmers tan never burns so I have never used any sun block. I do burn if I let my lily white skin get exposed for too long, but it is seldom I am that careless. Wearing a hat and loose fitting clothing to cover my lighter skin helps avoid any burning. Maybe if I continue this trend another 70 years, I might get a melanoma and die of skin cancer.

[Greatoutdoors]

Most sunscreens say to apply it 30 minutes before water activities, and then to reapply once every hour. I think I actually apply it a little more frequently than that because I do it when I can feel the burn. My whole family is extremely fair skinned though.

[IndianaHiker]

I also never use sunscreen. Only exception I can think of is when at the beach which is almost never since I live in Indiana.

[chuckdee]

I only use it if I'm going to be outside for over 4 hours and apply it maybe twice. Texas sun will burn you silly.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Why not just heed the directions on the lotion container? If that doesn't work, apply it more frequently. If that still doesn't work, you may have to try other brands.

[dinosaur]

According to the nightly news, sunscreen can cause cancer so I don't use it.

[Cupcake77]

It really depends on what you are doing. If you are sweaty or participating in water sports/swimming the sunscreen will wear off faster. Also once you get past 20 SPF it is all pretty much the same protection wise.

[campclose]

It depends on what you are doing and where you are. I burn terrible when I go to the beach. I apply it every hour and I still burn. You are supposed to apply it anytime you go in the water. I use the spray on kind, which are you using and what spf?

[Gondor]

I tried a lot of different brands ranging from SPF 20 to 50+ and they do help but I still burn. I hate it! I can't go to the beach like normal people and relax. One careless day in the sun and I'm off to my room for the next 3 days.