NOAH AOC

Hi, my name is steve and i'm new to this site. I have a few questions about sunscreen. I'm 18 and i'm sick of being burned. My shoulders and upper back always get burned no matter how often or how much sunscreen i put on. It's baby boat spf 80. It says its waterproof, but i dont beleive it. I was just wondering what everyone else here uses? or has the same problem as me with sunscreens. Thanks :D

 also. what do you guys use for sunburn? Im sunburnt and sick of it :)

Hi, Steve! I'm Vickie. 

I would like to start off by stating that I do not have Albinism, my newborn son does, so I can't answer the question as it relates to Albinism.  I am however a nurse.  There are many different SPF ratings out there, but be careful about what you purchase and they quality of the sunscreen that you are getting.  The FDA does not test or approve sunscreens, therefore it is up to us to make the wise decisions.  Any suncreens above SPF 30 are not necessarily any better than SPF 25 or 30 and may contain chemicals that are harsh to the skin.  If you go back to the home page of this site (www.albinism.org) and look up the contact information, you can call the Albinism phone number that is listed there.  Lori sent me a packet of information and in it is a useful pamphlet on protecting yourself fromt he sun.  All of what I just wrote is in it plus lots more.  With that being said, you can go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=92830&refurl=%2Fbrowse.php%3Fsunscreens%3D1%26water_resist%3Don%26 and they have all of the ratings for sunblock and it tells how effective the top ones are at blocking UVA & UVB rays and it has a category that states how safe it is to use.

I hope that this helps..

If you live in Canada, I highly recommend Ombrelle. My doctor recommended it to me and I've used it for several years.

I have discovered however that there are just some hours of the day at the peak of summer where I will burn through the sunscreen if I'm in the sun for any length of time, usually between 11am and 2pm. I've learned to just limit my sun exposure during those times.

Hi Steve my name is Teresa and I have albinism the brand you used has never worked on me either about the only one that does work on me is Coppertone 45 waterproof.

Hi Steve, I hope you have gotten your question about sunscreen answered. If not, I use Coppertone SPF 15, 30, or 45. I now use the spray on kind for continuous spray. Make sure you spray your back, neck, and ears. If I burn I run for some kind of Aloe Vera gel for sunburns and I also use Noxzema to take the sting away.  Coppertone also has sprays for sports so if you play outside and sweat this should also work for you. Good luck.

MiKah uses a sunscreen called Bullfrog SPF 35-45. You can get it at Wal-Mart around here (NW Missouri) in spray or lotion kind. They also make it with a bug repelent, but haven't tried that. Also use Coppertone Sport when he might sweat alot.

  Hello,  I am the mother of two children with albinism ages 9 and 14.  Up until about 2 years ago, we switched from sunblock to sunblock.  I finally found Rocky Mountain Sunscreen.  It is made in Denver, and you have to buy it online (unless you live in the Colorado area).  I will not use anything else on my kids.  We go camping frequently.  This includes lots of swimming outdoors.  This sunblock has not been as irritating to their eyes or very sensitive skin.  Neither one of my kids have experienced any ill effects from it.  It is not greasy either.  AND BEST OF ALL.... NO SUNBURNS!!!  The website is:  rmsunscreen.com

Hopefully, this will be helpful!

Angie Beaty

Do you know where you can buy it at?  I live in Denver, CO this is the first I have heard of this sunscreen.  I too tried lots of different ones and only found one that works for me but if it gets in my eyes it burns for hours. 

Both my kids use sunsense, it is an Australian brand that is fragrance free and brilliant, my kids have never burnt with it, even during outdoor swimming in AZ in August!

It is really popular within the albinism community in the UK

Easy solution - wear a swim shirt.    Both long and short sleve are available from quite a few companies, but I like Lands End and Body Glove best.  I have been able to spend the entire day out at the swim park with my kids and not get the least bit burnt.  I wear a swim shirt, swim pants and a hat with a neck flap from Coolibar.  The only sun screan I wore was on my face and lower arms.  I used Bull Frog for these areas. 

Good Luck,

Lori B.  Ft. Worth

Both of my kids use Banana Boat Ultra Defense with an SPF of 80.  My daughter has photo allergic eruption (allergic reaction between sun and sunscreen) and this is the only kind we have been able to find that she doesn't have the allergic reaction and she doesn't burn.  This product is available at Wal-Mart.

I have to say I love Coppertone Sport. They even have a new spray that I adore. In the 13 years since I have had Michael we have only had 1 burn and we were at the beach during peak hours. We probably should have reapplied more often than usual. We really like the new spray because Michael hates sunscreen and loves the fact that it sprays evenly with no rubbing. It is the first "spray" type sunscreen I have found that I like.

Nikki

I use Coppertone SPF 50 or 60 and its waterproof.

Hi Steve,

I use a sunscreen called Photoderm max spf 100 by Bio Derma. Just google it, you'll find it. and i use aloe vera gel 97% pure for sunburn treatment - it helps sooth and repair sun damaged skin.

Plus i  think another problem you may have is the fact that you may stay in the sun to long. no matter how much sunscreen you put on or how often, as an albino you have to stay out of the sun as much as possible, this may be a drag, i know it was for me grewing up - i never played any outdoor sports at school. 

 hi Steve

I love love love Banana boat SPF 50 Sport. It IS waterproof and now it comes in a spray. YAY! Do you apply before you go out? Sunblock takes about a half an hour for it to really get into your skin and start protecting, especially if you are going to go jump in the bpool. Rub it on really well and wait. When you get out of the water to reapply make sure you dry off all the way, put it on and then wait about 10 minutes at least before you jump back in. I also make sure i have someone putting it on my back and shoulders since they are hard to reach. Make sure they put enough into their hand and really slather it on. A nice light boating won't do you any good.

I also try and avoid the sun (especially the beach) between 11am-2pm. The sun is at it's most harsh time and whenever I'm out ther, it doesn't matter how much I put on, i still get burnt. grrrrrr to you decaying O-Zone layer!

For those days when you do get burnt, Aloe is amazing. They make one with a painkiller in it as well, which numbs the burnt area so you can sleep at night and lift your arms and such. A life-saver!

Good luck and welcome!

!Meghan