March 28, 2024

Column: Trying to not turn red

Following several days of rainy, gloomy weather, the sun finally decided to come out and shine in all of its glory last week. While I greatly appreciated the warmth and dry weather, it was also a reminder that I need to start carrying around one crucial supply: sunscreen.

I was born strawberry blond and fair skinned. For as long as I can remember, I have had sunscreen slathered on every inch of skin that might get sun-kissed.

As I got older, I started to spend every second of my summer at the pool. Since I only lived about a block away, it was easy to hop on over, and it was definitely the place to be among my friends.

That was when I also started to learn the important lesson that sunscreen must be applied before, during and sometimes after I had been in the pool. Each year, it never failed I would get burnt at least once during the year and usually multiple times.

One common response to my sunburn is how it will turn into an awesome tan afterward. If only that were true but in my case, I just peel. Not to gross anyone out, but I am one of those people, the people who love to peel. I mean, at least there is a little upside to all of the pain.

Like fond family memories, I have memories of different sunburns throughout the years. One such sunburn, my worst I can remember, happened while I was on vacation in Michigan. I thought I was doing a great job of reapplying while we were at the beach, spraying sunscreen all over several times. The key word in that sentence is spraying.

I had recently purchased the new spray sunscreen that was suppose to be easy to apply and give great coverage. While it may work for some people, I learned I need my sunscreen to be lotion based, and I need to apply it liberally, not spray and hope it falls on my skin.

That night I turned completely red and even got a fever. I pretty much bathed in aloe vera, downed ibuprofen and moved as little as possible. It wasn’t a great way to spend vacation.

Most people, I have also found, only apply sunscreen to certain more burn prone areas. I, on the other hand, have to apply it anywhere the sun could reach. The top of my feet, check, in the part of my hair, check, and the back of my hands, check.

My unfortunate trait has also been passed on to my children, who, on top of me being fair skinned also have to contend with a red headed father. Let’s just say we have a large supply of sunscreen on hand at all times.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson
at jpierson@newtondailynews.com