Anyone have tips on sun protection?

I found out how strong sun rays are thru car windows when I drove to NM from MN in late fall a few years ago! I was stunned at how dark my arms were!! I now always cover my body in long sleeves, lotion and put up detachablble/see-thru screens on the side windows!! I had skin cancer on my nose that left a deep snaky scar.

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@jolinda I am glad to have brought that to light. Some background on that from my story. In 1988 I was diagnosed w/ systemic lupus, and had severe light sensitivity. My rheumatologist prescribed tinted windows. Here in CA, windows on driver's and front passenger doors must remain clear. I have had tinted windows for 30 years, and have had numerous traffic stops for my windows. The only actual citation I received, was fought in court, along with a lot of documentation. My basic argument was that not allowing my tinted windows sentenced me to living like a vampire, and robbing me of any semblance of normal life. The judge threw the case out; the officer was livid. Now w/ multiple skin cancers, my tinted windows have been a factor to protect me, along w/ sunscreen. My malignant melanoma BTW, was on right forearm, and took flap surgery w/ 32 stitches. I lost muscle, tissue, and nerves, so it is an everyday reminder, right in my face, of what can happen.
Ginger

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Ever since @gingerw mentioned getting sun through the car windows I've found myself being very aware of this. It's actually incredible how much time I spend driving around with sun directly on me. Has anyone else noticed this too? Maybe I need and SPF shirt in the car with to slip on from time to time as added protection? Thanks @gingerw for bringing this to my attention, who knows it may save me a skin cancer problem down the road (pun intended)!

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After my heart transplant, I was told by a Phoenix Mayo dermatologist that I had 45-260% more chance of getting skin cancer than other folks. That certainly made me consider everything I was doing. I have become a "hat" woman and rarely wear sleeveless shirts unless I'm outside very early in the morning. I check the UV index during the day if I plan to be out of the house and dress appropriately. I also use a facial foundation/moisturizer that contains a 40 SPF. Neutrogena makes a sheer sunscreen 55 SPF that is very lightweight and not smeary on the skin. You can pick it up at Costco. I think most brand name sunscreens are safe to use. I remember my mother smattering us with zinc oxide during summer because we spent the entire time outside for three months while growing up. You can always use that. I live in Tucson and exercise in my pool usually after 4 or 5 pm. I do use a rash guard shirt. I think it has that name to protect against any abrasion that could cause a rash, including sun rash. I am so grateful to have this time to live life and I promised my surgeon I would take care of this new heart.

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@contentandwell @gingerw @rosemarya do you put on sunscreen every time you go outside, no matter for how long? My husband and I have gone on walks and etc and he hasn't applied any since it was just for a short time. He hasn't had any color, much less a burn. I'm just wondering if we should be more diligent.

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I found some interesting information that I would like to share in this conversation. I think that these will show that we are heading in the right direction:-) What do you think?

Sun Hazards in Your Car
https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/are-you-at-risk/sun-hazards-in-your-car

How Do I Protect Myself from UV Rays -
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/skin-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/uv-protection.html

Best sunscreen: Understand sunscreen options -
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/best-sunscreen/art-20045110

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Sunscreen Best Practices -
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-apply-sunscreen-generously-and-frequently-for-full-protection/

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@rosemarya I had to be a rebel. My malignant melanoma was on right forearm, and was amelanotic, meaning non-colored. It took me going to three drs to convince one to do a biopsy. Then it was such a surprise they wrote a paper on it. All my car windows are tinted ;))
Ginger

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@gingerw that is terrifying! I am so glad you pushed the subject. Please tell us more. If it wasn't a strange color how did you know something was wrong?

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@jolinda I am red haired and blue eyed. Over the course of my life there were a couple of serious burns, plus years of working outside in all kinds of weather. Sun protection was not touted by society nor medical professionals at that time. In early 2008 I had a spot on right forearm that would get angry red for a few days, then return to slight discoloration and sometimes itching. Since I had had basal cell skin cancers for years, I asked first my primary, then his Nurse Practitioner about it, but they were more concerned w/ a spot on my face. The area was getting larger with irregular borders. When I went to dermatologist for biopsy on spot on face, I convinced him to do one on my arm also, even though all 3 said "it's nothing". Now I sport a 32 stitch scar shaped like a dog bite, loss of nerves and tissue, and am reminded everyday that I am my own best advocate, and need to speak up. I just knew there was something wrong.
Ginger

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@rosemarya I had to be a rebel. My malignant melanoma was on right forearm, and was amelanotic, meaning non-colored. It took me going to three drs to convince one to do a biopsy. Then it was such a surprise they wrote a paper on it. All my car windows are tinted ;))
Ginger

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