Biker Tan

[Andrea]

I've been wearing SPF 70 ( ) since the beginning of the summer, but I've still got lines! I actually love my wrist line. Otherwise, I switch between different length shorts to break up the thigh line. My arms don't really have a line because my team jersey is very thin, so it lets in enough sun that my upper body tan lines are sportsbra and bib-shaped.

You could always look around for a bottle-tan that somewhat matches your natural color and apply it to your white areas.

[meridian]

I've been wearing SPF 70 ( ) since the beginning of the summer

Dang, where do you get that stuff? I protect myself as much as possible and stick with the highest rating I can find in a sweat proof formula (48).

I've got irish blood, so I've resigned myself to inescapable tan lines, but I'm proud of them at the same time. Sure, I'd love to hit the town in a showy dress without the weird stares sometimes, but they are a reminder that I'm filling my life with something healthy and fun.

[Andrea]

^It's some new stuff by Neutrogena. It actually feels lighter weight than the last stuff I had, which was SPF65.

Sunscreen SPF to me is the same as saving grams of weight is to some cyclists... I'll pay 2x more for a little extra!

[Grog]

Dermatologist-father-in-law suggested to me a while ago that using anything above SPF 30 was pretty much useless, but I am afraid I have not quite understood the reason why (I'll ask later). Repeating application seemed to be more efficient in his view...

Maybe high SPF gives us a false sense of sun-safety...

[Andrea]

... kind of like how carbon fiber watter bottle cages give some guys a false sense of speed...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dermatologist-father-in-law suggested to me a while ago that using anything above SPF 30 was pretty much useless, but I am afraid I have not quite understood the reason why (I'll ask later). Repeating application seemed to be more efficient in his view...

Maybe high SPF gives us a false sense of sun-safety...

The SPF number really refers to how long a time period it protects you for. An spf of 15 needs to be reapplied more often, but it protects you just as much as an spf of 40. The 40 will simply last longer before repplying is needed.

[Grog]

The SPF number really refers to how long a time period it protects you for. An spf of 15 needs to be reapplied more often, but it protects you just as much as an spf of 40. The 40 will simply last longer before repplying is needed.

After thinking about it on my way to work (in the beautiful sun, at last), I think his point was that the higher SPFs will not hold on to the skin long enough to be efficient anyway, no matter how waterproof or sweatproof they pretend to be.

Hence the "reapply" advice.

[Jiffer]

Dermatologist-father-in-law suggested to me a while ago that using anything above SPF 30 was pretty much useless

I was actually going to comment the same thing. My nurse sister tells me all the time that anything over 30 is pointless, so I never buy anything higher. It's nice to have confirmation from a dermatologist.

[Jiffer]

Well, this sure did turn into a long thread! I'm a little disheartened that most of you say the tan lines are unavoidable. I guess I'll try putting sunblock on the biker tan when I lay out by the pool, to try to help even out the tan ... if I lay out enough to make a difference. I cycle way more than I lay out, but maybe it will make it less noticable.

I don't wear gloves, so I don't have THAT issue. I used to wear them, but Dh suggested I try not wearing them and I find I feel perfectly fine without them. One less thing to put on every time and no tan line! (When it gets colder I'll probably wear them sometimes.)

I actually just ordered a sleeveless jersey. Fingers crossed that it will actually fit well and not ride up. I have such issues with finding good jerseys.

And I like the idea of wearing different length shorts to make the tan line less obvious.

Can't stand tanning creams. The smell isn't worth it to me! Otherwise, I could see that helping.

Anyways, thanks for all the comments.

[Grog]

I don't wear gloves, so I don't have THAT issue. I used to wear them, but Dh suggested I try not wearing them and I find I feel perfectly fine without them. One less thing to put on every time and no tan line! (When it gets colder I'll probably wear them sometimes.)

Think of a crash, even not a big one. Just, say, falling off your bike and onto gravel.

Think of your hands after a crash.

That makes me not mind having the tan lines......

[Starfish]

Sure, I'd love to hit the town in a showy dress without the weird stares sometimes

Diving in late here...forgive me if someone already mentioned this...but, a gradual self-tanner like Jergens helps to bridge the gap a bit between dark suntan areas and glow-in-the-dark white...

...upper thighs, shoulders, etc. And, the face version even helps with sunglasses lines.