I am burnt. I'm burnt enough that I'm inside on my computer rather than out enjoying my vacation.

My first day here I used SPF 30 (with UVA and B protection) and sat under an umbrella, and I fried. Crispy critter, lobster colored burn.

My second day I used SPF 70, and put on a UV surf shirt (SPF 50) OVER the sunscreen, and sat under an SPF 50 umbrella and was moving to stay in the shade frequently.

Today I'm so sore that I don't want to wear a bathing suit or a bra or anything. My shoulders are done.

I'm inside today. I did go out for like an hour to go kayaking this morning, with the SPF 70 and the UV shirt (SPF 50) on, and I'm still crispy and feeling like I burn more every time that I go out.

There must be some other Irish women on the board that can tell me the secret to NOT burning and thus, being able to enjoy my vacation.

I'm not sure about the not burning in the first place part, but I've heard people swear by putting Preparation H on sunburn to reduce the swelling and pain.

Go buy an aloe vera plant. Really it will help you the most. Not the stuff in the bottle but a big plant so you'll have plenty. It will be the best $10 you've spent on your vacation and should get you feeling better the quickest.

As for how to keep from burning more--I'm not sure as it seems you've taken pretty good precautions so far.

Margaret,
I burn easily, but nothing like what you're describing. I woudn't have burned much, if at all, taking the precautions you've taken.

Are you taking any medications (prescription or OTC) that can increase your probability of burning? That's what it sounds like to me.

I am Irish but rarely burn, for some reason. When I do it is bad like that. Alternating between oatmeal baths, noxema, aloe and other home remedies helps. Also an ibuprofen to help ease the swelling and pain.

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Only taking orthoevra, and I've used it for years and years at this point. When I went to the caribbean in the spring, I did not burn, and took far fewer precautions. However, we had crappy weather most days.

I'm not taking anything OTC, so it's not that. I stayed inside all day yesterday, except maybe 1 hour of kayaking, and I feel much better today. Still all red, but not stinging. The true test will be when I put a bra or bathing suit on because of all that pressure on my burned shoulders.

Not sure how I'll proceed today. It's our turn to make dinner, and I think I'll use that as my excuse to only spend a little time at the beach in the morning, and get inside to start buying the ingredients and marinating.

Some cosmetics or skin care treatments can promote sun sensitivity too. You have to be careful with anything that contains an exfoliating formula, particularly alpha hydroxy.

Nada. The only cosmetic I am wearing (when I remember) is SPF lipstick. It's mostly my shoulders, back, and chest that are burning. I use Pure and Natural brand soap, and nothing else in those areas. No exfoliants, no alphahydroxies, no make up, no nothing.

Today I only was out there long enough to fly a kite with Kevin's nephew. I'm inside for the day already. I am hoping that because I kept a regular polo shirt on (and not a UV shirt) that maybe I didn't get any more sun. It feels ok so far, but I've been spending my time out of the sun as much as possible for days now.

Poor Kevin isn't doing much better. He's on the beach right now. It's too windy to go in the ocean -- the waves are nasty right now. It's too windy to put up an umbrella. He's out there with his swimsuit, his surf shirt, sun glasses, and wearing two towels -- one over his lower half and one over his upper half. He's trying his damnedest to get some enjoyment out of the day!

Me, I can't wait for lunch time. Tonight is our turn to make dinner and after lunch we'll go shopping (yay!) and then I can come home and marinade the stuff and have a good excuse for not being out in the sun!