How do you prevent/ manage sunburn? What is the most effective sunscreen?

I avoid the sun. See avatar. Pale as a freaking ghost.
I have freckles on my shoulders and slightly odd texture of skin because I once got third degree burns on them from the sun. The current going theory is some kind of partial albinism. Bright sun honestly hurts when it touches my skin.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/Story?id=858453&page=1 is an interesting article about why most sunscreens suck.

Personally, when I go out I bring a cute lacy parasol. Not that my friends don’t tease me about it. But a little teasing really beats blisters IMHO.

As another ghostly white person (no thanks for my scottish genes), I always use physical sunblock.

Most the next statements are probably 95% scientific (meaning, culled from my recollection of NPR interviews and various web sources).

The most significant period for sun exposure is something like the first 20 minutes you walk outside. That means you’re screwed as soon as you step outside.

Add to this the fact that it takes a while for chemical sunblocks to reach potency… they need to absorb into your skin. You if you’re applying right before you walk out the door, you’re screwed again.

Physical sunblocks (those that contain zinc or titanium dioxide) actually block the sun. The tiny zinc or titanium particles physically deflect the UV rays away from the skin. Physical sunblocks wash away less easily, I believe. They also are great if you have sensitive skin—they’re much less allergenic than chemical sunblock. The catch is they’re usually a good deal more expensive than chemical ones… and sometimes hard to find.

Really, you just need to apply liberally and often, starting before you go outside.

Count yourself lucky that you’re a guy. The physical sunblocks don’t work so well for girls. They don’t mesh well with makeup and…. i doubt you have this problem… but they are Very uncomfortable in the cleavage area. Low cut shirts + Physical Sunblock = chafing. I don’t know why it does that, but I’ve had a bad experience and shied away from it ever since.

I’m fortunate I’m not as tormented by the sun. That said when I’ve been out without sun screen and I feel a little or a lot burned I use something called Aftersun, from a company called Melaleuca. Works pretty good to re hydrate.

Bullfrog is great stuff. My dad is an easy burner and he rides motorcycles. He’s been useing bullfrog since I can remember.

@delirium: I’m surprised about the makeup… I had a girlfriend (about as pale as you) who swore by the physical sunblock.

I wear only organic makup. It acts weirdly with other things. It doesn’t hold together quite as well as the chemical stuff so sometimes when you mix it with other things (physical sunblock, for example) it separates. Its gross when it does that.

if you do get a bad burn aloe (from the actual plant!) is great. you can just break open the long pieces and slather the ‘gel’ all over your skin. placing cool green tea teabags on your burnt skin is also really good for burns.

A shirt!