Primal Sunburn Resistance page

[bokbadok]

Friday was the first warm day we've had this spring, and I was out in it working in the garden for roughly 8 hours. With no sunscreen. Hair pulled up in a ponytail, short sleeve t-shirt.

I expected the back of my neck and my arms to be sunburned. That happens to me every spring before I get my base tan, and even in the summer, spending 8 hours without sunscreen will burn me too.

But not this year. At bedtime I noticed that I had a bit of pink on my neck and arms, and although when scratched it felt a little tender, it didn't otherwise feel hot or uncomfortable. Saturday morning skin looked and felt completely normal - no itching or burning whatsoever.

I remember reading here on MDA that switching from seed oils to saturated oils and animal fats may increase sunburn tolerance. Now I have experienced it. I am admittedly amazed.

[Grok]

As a redhead who usually burns very easily, I can definitely attest that going primal helps prevent sunburn.

[norak]

This may sound odd, but if you expected to get burned, why didn't you use any sunscreen?

[bokbadok]

Haha - good point norak. My intention was to start working and soak up some sun (for vitamin D) and then apply sunscreen when I had gotten enough (as indicated by that prickly, hot feeling). I never felt that until late afternoon when I was heading in for the day anyway.

[norak]

I'm not sure that's a good approach, as the "prickly" feeling typically comes several hours after exposure, and it usually indicates that you have had too much exposure. IMO it's better to wear sunscreen if you are not sure how long you will be out in the sun, and only skip the sunscreen in situations where you know in advance how long you will be outside.

Anyway, I've heard people say coconut oil is a good natural sunscreen (and skin moisturizer). Maybe give that a try? At least it's more primal than commercial sunscreen.

[Alex Good]

I never got sunburns anyway. Still though, good to know I ever will now.