Bugs and Sun

[Tunaman68]

Hey all,

Well it's only 6 weeks now so I'm actually beginning to get even more excited if that's even possible.....

A couple of questions to pose to you Coz experts out there.

1) What sunscreen do you recommend - I have heard that normal commercial sunscreens are terrible for the reef, and are banned in the marine park. I don't mind getting some sun, and only use an spf15 when in HI.

2) Will we need anti insect products if visiting in mid November? We'll be walking to town in the eves from Blue Angel if we're not diving, and are also planing a day trip to the Cenotes. What brand deet/non deet to you all like?

Thanks for the advice!!

T

 

[MMM]

I seldom wear bug spray. Sometimes around my ankles but I live in town. Like a lot of resorts, Blue Angel likely hires someone to come and spray in the evening or very early a.m.

For sunscreen, I seldom wear any but that's because I have a pretty good base and don't generally burn. But you want to look for something that is biodegradable. They DO exist. (I had to look for it.) When I do wear sunscreen, I wear between 15 and 30 (biodegradable).

 

[ColoDale]

Topside I generally use Bullfrog which is higher than spf15 but mostly for my face. While diving or on the boats I don't use sunscreen, just a hat. Though I have paid the price for not using it.
I think there are some recommended sunscreens for use in the Park. A search of the Cozumel forum might yield the names.

We use Off Family Care in a plastic pump bottle that we bring with us. It's a 9 Fl oz bottle and has 5% DEET. It works well when we aren't swarmed. Dusk is about the worst time for the bugs but it depends on how much it rained recently. At these times, it made no difference if we used repellent or not to the mosquitos and sand flees (it works a bit for these). If concerned about the bugs you might want a higher DEET percentage. It could be my imagination, but I get bitten less when I have a tan - especially sand fleas. We have bought repellent locally in a smaller yellow aerosol can which worked well but the smell wasn't that great (petroleum smell to me) but it did work. I can't remember the name.
Some people swear by Skin So Soft. It never worked for me.

We will be there the beginning of November. I think the winter months have less mosquitos but I have been there in the winter after several days of rain and the mosquitos were thick. Just depends.

 

[Diver Kat]

We use Caribbean Solutions biodegradable sunscreen. It's 25 SPF. Since it contains zinc oxide initially it look a bit white when applied. It smells very nice and contains a number of organic & natural plant ingredients. Also it's not greasy, which drive me crazy in a sun screen. As for bugs, we use Sawyer control released insect repellent. It's 20% Deet but the formula is such that it reduces the rate of Deet absorption by your skin while extending how long it works. Again I like it as it's not greasy and is odorless once applied.

 

[blue steal]

As for bugs, we use Sawyer control released insect repellent. It's 20% Deet but the formula is such that it reduces the rate of Deet absorption by your skin while extending how long it works. Again I like it as it's not greasy and is odorless once applied.

I use this in the Philippines every year, good stuff.

 

[CriticalMass]

I don't mind getting some sun, and only use an spf15 when in HI.

Might want to give some thought to "getting some sun". Obviously, it's impractical to stay out of the sun, but UV exposure is cumulative throughout your life. Exposure you permit now will eventually become a factor later in life if you are predisposed toward skin cancers.

I wish I knew that when I was younger and thought foolishly that it was "cool" to lay out all afternoon at the pool and "cook" myself. Now I have a standing appointment annually with a dermatologist to treat the pre-cancers that develop as a result of those past mistakes.

 

[robint]

Cactus Juice!!! Cactus Juice: Prickly Pear Skin Care for Naturally Healthy Skin
order online and take it with you. It works well for most bugs. Take a small spray bottle of deet for evenings when the mosquitos are out.

robin

 

[Tunaman68]

Might want to give some thought to "getting some sun". Obviously, it's impractical to stay out of the sun, but UV exposure is cumulative throughout your life. Exposure you permit now will eventually become a factor later in life if you are predisposed toward skin cancers.

I hear you - my wife is the sun screen gestapo spf 50 for all- I hate that, but I don't want to battle melanoma because of attitude or vanity in my 40's! I was referring to the 30 mins a day that promotes good vitamin D absorption, and then hat/shades and some sunscreen after that. Plus, I'm planning on living in a wetsuit most of the time, so it's mostly for the neck, face and the bald spot.

Thanks for the concern!!

 

[CriticalMass]

I hear you - my wife is the sun screen gestapo spf 50 for all- I hate that, but I don't want to battle melanoma because of attitude or vanity in my 40's! I was referring to the 30 mins a day that promotes good vitamin D absorption, and then hat/shades and some sunscreen after that. Plus, I'm planning on living in a wetsuit most of the time, so it's mostly for the neck, face and the bald spot.

Thanks for the concern!!

Sounds like you have the right idea.

My wife has already had surgery for melanoma, so we're conservative about exposure.

 

[cvchief]

You know we figured on just buying some bio degradable in Coz. Mega only had 1 biodegradable that I could find in a the whole section. If was a nice pump spray and all, but the only one.