I’m going to Vegas for the first time this Friday. I’m aware that a) it’s the desert, b) it’s about 105 degrees every day and c) it’s a dry heat. Bottom line, it’s gonna be hot. Seeing as how I’m one of those people that burn easily, I’m bringing SPF 50 with me. Ain’t messin’ around. I know I’ll be spending some continuous time out in the sun so I want to be sure I’m protected.
Question is, how often should I fully reapply the sunscreen? I’d like to get a little bit of color but I’ve had some bad sunburns before so I don’t want to take chances here. Hence, SPF 50. Normally I’d just put on 30 but I apparently have it in my head that the Vegas sun is equal to that of Hades. Oy. Help please.
Vegas is only about 4degrees south of your current location. (Long Island is about 40N, Vegas is about 36N)
The amount of direct sun won’t be very much “by angle,” but your exposure is likely to be higher due to less clothing, and more time in the sun, along with less humidity (clearer air). You also won’t wash away as much sunscreen due to “dripping sweat” like you’d get in a typical (today, 69% humidity) summer day in NY.
I’d apply the sunscreen in the same manner that you would at home. More if you’re swimming, less if you’re just walking around.
Drink LOTS of water. On my tip to Vegas with the Mrs., we were out on a long motorcycle ride one day, and we went through nearly 2gal of water (I probably drank 1.5 of them) and I think I had to stop to go to the bathroom only once during the 8 hour day… and it was more liquid waste removal than excess water removal. Oddly (to an East Coaster) I was not covered in sweat, nor did I smell that bad at the end of the day. This was in May, and it was above or very near 100F every day by 10:30am.
“A little bit of color” is a bad idea. That line of thinking leads to skin damage. Slather on the SPF50, covering everything that isn’t going to be covered by two layers of clothing, and wear a hat and sunglasses. Lots of free booze around, so drink copious amounts of water. Apply sunscreen once in the morning and once in the early afternoon, with additional applications as needed due to swimming, etc. Skin cancer is nothing to mess with. The Sun is not your friend.
There was an NPR report on this a couple days ago. Unless you have some of the new ultra-long wearing sunscreens, they recommended you reapply sunscreen every two hours. They also said that an application’s worth is a full ounce for your body “at the pool”. Seems like a lot, they said, until it’s all spread out.
After 11 years here and much experimenting with sunscreens tryinh to find the best stuff I found this.
As your basic average pasty person who burns to a crisp without sunscreen, it is the best stuff I have ever used. The things that sold me on it: it really works, it doesn’t smell like fricking coconuts and it’s not all greasy.
The key to any sunscreen is reapplying after sweating or swimming. I work outdoors. I do reapply every 1-2 hours or so when I am working up a sweat. With this sunscreen I have done 12 hour days in the summer with little to no pinkness at the end of the day.
Like Silenus stated, having a good sunscreen here is a must. Also don’t forget to keep hydrated while you’re here. It’s hot and very dry.
If you’re going to be enjoying outdoor activities and partaking in cocktails while your here try getting some cytomax to help replace lost electrolytes from sweating and alcohol consumption. It is designed for replacing the good stuff after exercising, buy it helps even on non-exercising days. I get it in the big can (in the link) and in the individual serving packets at REI.
I was just there this past weekend, and while sunscreen is a must…water is more important. It is drier than you can possibly imagine out there, especially if you are coming from a humid climate, the dryness of the air is what will hurt most. Find some nasal moisturizing drops and use them, and drink as much water as you think you can reasonable handle.
An excellent alternative to sunscreen is a big ol’ casino over your head. You’ll find they provide excellent shade while you’re doubling down at a blackjack table in the Mirage.
I’m going to echo the other posters about avoiding the “bit” of colour and add that in addition to sunscreen make sure you’re wearing a hat whenever you’re outdoors. I know that makes me sound like your mom, but I’m speaking as someone who slathered on sunscreen and still wound up puking, with a pounding head from heat/sun stroke.
That’s my favorite sunscreen too and I say that as a albino skinned redhead in Texas. It really, reallly blocks the sun. I just wish you could find it without the little convenience pack.
If you’re spending any significant time outdoors (for something like hiking), I’d recommend one of those sunshirts and a good hat. I wear them all the time at all day events and they really help with the overexposure. If you’re just lounging by the pool or walking around, just try to avoid the sun as much as possible by sticking to the shade.
The vomiting was from heat exhaustion. The pounding headache that accompanied it is from dehydration.
I will reiterate the hydration thing again. About 24-48 hours prior to your flight here make sure you are hydrating. With temps forcasted in the range of 104- 108 F and humidity levels down around 3% you will dry out so fast when you get here if you aren’t hydrated and keep hydrating. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine as much as possible will also help reduce your chances of getting a heat stress related injury/illness.
During the summer the majority of tourist injuries/illnesses in southern Nevada stem from heat exhaustion and dehydration.
I also agree that if you’re going to be hoofing it up and down the Strip, bring a decently wide brimmed hat that you can crunch up in your tote bag (for portability).
Sunscreen, no matter how much you put on wont stop heat stress.
The hydration issue did occur to me, so I’m going to be sure to keep water close at hand. I learned the wonderful feeling of being overheated and dehydrated back in September when I walked around Miami Beach with no sunscreen and having had a drink or two. That’s not an experience I’d like to reenact.
As for the “some color” issue, I just want to come back less pale than I am. And I am pale. Freckled, but pale.