Sun Mask

[rbrasi]

So, I was listening to 'Let's talk hookups' on am1090 (fishing show- I do not fish, but I love this program), and they mentioned that fishermen are now using sun masks instead of constantly applying sunscreen. I hate sunscreen like some people hate to touch cotton. This looks like a winner to me. Can anyone expound on their experience with one of these? The Patagonia one looks cool.
Patagonia Sun Mask | Face and Neck sun protection while Fishing

[tommays]

I think the desert sun hats with a BIG brim and a nice cloth tail to cover your neck make much more sense

[dacap06]

I agree with Tom. I recently switched to a big brimmed hat, and that works well for me. I quickly sweat sunscreen off of my face and neck, even the sweat resistant stuff.

I would not walk around with that sun mask. People would mistake me for a bandit!

[Hartley18]

One problem with wearing wide brimmed hats out on the water is that they are not designed to stop sun glare reflected off the water cooking you from below.

Light-coloured ones are particularly bad in this regard.

[merc2dogs]

I'm one who hates sunscreen, simply because I can't stand oily crap on my skin. (think I'd be used to it since my side business is auto and motorcycle repair)

For me the solution is pretty easy, I have long hair so my neck is covered and a beard so neck and lower face is covered, the rest is taken care of with a hat and sunglasses.

Normally, the beard and hair is groomed, but since I often ride the motorcycle to the boat both are sometimes in disarray when I get there. Been questioned a few times for trying to break into my own boat, which I guess is actually a good thing.

I'm also not a fan of sunscreen anyway, according to many studies the incidence of many sun induced skin cancers has increased in direct proportion to the use of sunscreen.

[Boatsmith]

Never tried one and I am certainly in no hurry to get one. Yuk!

[MarkCK]

I don't think wrapping your face in cloth would be a comfortable option on a 90 degree day. You would have to really hate sunscreen. It doesn't look like an option for me, but if it works for you...

[rbrasi]

I am bald as a baby and a wide brimmed hat 1) blows off in wind 2) doesn't protect every direction, as was mentioned. I've spent many hours in the desert with those on and they are great if I'm mostly sedentary. So, I'm gathering that SNers don't use masks. I'll give it a go and provide some feedback.

[bljones]

Maybe it is time for a reality check. instead of feeding the fear industry, let's ask ourselves, "How big a problem is sun exposure?"

How 'bout a quick poll:
How many sailors do you know?
How long have they been sailing?
How many hours of sun exposure does that equal?
How many have been treated for skin cancer?


Look, I'm not trying to downplay the impact of skin cancer, but , c'mon, the "unless-you-buy-our-overpriced-bandanna-and-dress-like-a-ninja-you-are-gonna-die" school of marketing just plain pisses me off.

[dhays]

Originally Posted by merc2dogs

For me the solution is pretty easy, I have long hair so my neck is covered and a beard so neck and lower face is covered, the rest is taken care of with a hat and sunglasses.

Normally, the beard and hair is groomed, but since I often ride the motorcycle to the boat both are sometimes in disarray when I get there. Been questioned a few times for trying to break into my own boat, which I guess is actually a good thing.

Yeah, I can see that. Long hair, bushy beard, sunglasses, hat... not the look that would go unnoticed on my dock.

I'm also not a fan of sunscreen anyway, according to many studies the incidence of many sun induced skin cancers has increased in direct proportion to the use of sunscreen.

Just because there is a correlation between two things does not mean there is any causal relationship between them. A number of demographic factors can cause the relationship between the two.

This lack of understanding the difference between correlation and causation leads to a lot of very bad science reporting the popular press. Anyone recall these two "causal" relationships that were reported in the popular press from years back?

- Listening to Mozart in uteros makes babies smarter.
- Nightlights in bedrooms make children nearsighted.

Neither are true, but in both cases there is a correlation that exists.

So, don't throw away the sunscreen. Just this last year a 10 year prospective, randomized study on the use of sunscreen and skin cancer was reported on. The study found a 50% reduction in Melanoma in those participants who used sunscreen daily compared to the control group who did what they wanted to, when they wanted to it. This is the first prospective study that was done and was reasonably designed. Other studies will need to be completed to confirm it, but this is real evidence, not simply a retrospective correlation.

Dave