The Surfing Blog

Summer is fast approaching and that means one thing, the sun will be shining. When the sun comes out, so do the sunblocks, sunscreens, face sticks and plenty of kooks. If your skin has been hiding behind thick layers of rubber all year, you are going to want to apply some type of sunblock while you are out surfing. With the amount of time surfers spend in the sun, our skin can be very vulnerable to skin cancer. Here are some interesting facts on skin cancer from skincancer.org.

- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million cases in two million people are diagnosed annually.

- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.

- About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

- Up to 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.

- The vast majority of mutations found in melanoma are caused by ultraviolet radiation.

Shocking isn’t it. As you can see, skin cancer is a serious problem. It is easy to think it won’t harm you until you personally, or someone you know, gets cancer. As annoying as it can be, there are simple ways to help you prevent getting cancer. When you are going surfing make sure you put on products that block the sun. Products like those made by Panama Jack Suncare. We were able to get our hands on some products they make for surfers and try them out on the sunny North Shore of Oahu.

Sunscreen Stick: One of the most important suncare products for surfers. This should be used year around because even if you are wearing a wetsuit, your face is exposed to UV rays. Panama Jack’s sunscreen stick is SPF 50+ and goes on clear. You can use it on your face, lips, ears and nose. If you are going out for a long session, throw the stick in your board shorts side pocket and apply it every 2 hours. This will help save your face from taking on to much sun and keep you from needing a facelift later on in life (too much sun can cause wrinkles with age).

Zinc: Panama Jack makes a small can of zinc SPF 30+ that goes on white but when you rub it in, it turns clear. A little zinc goes a long way so don’t use too much. Zinc is good to use on your face on those super sunny days.

Sunblock vs. Sunscreen: Just in case you didn’t know, there is a difference in sunblock and sunscreen. Like its name, sunblock blocks the sun, while sunscreen allows some sun to get through. So it would be smart to start the summer off using sunblock and as you get more and more sun, and you skin can handle it, you can switch to a high SPF sunscreen. Panama Jack makes both sunscreen and sunblock lotions of different SPF levels. All their lotions are very water resistant and only need to be reapplied after long periods of sun exposure.

After Sun Burn Relief: If you forgot to apply some type of sunblock or sunscreen and come back from surfing looking like a lobster, Panama Jack still has you covered. After Sun Burn Relief is made to provide relief for those who get a little too much sun. The bottle of blue gel is made from pure aloe, lidocaine, and menthol. It will not only help soothe the pain of your burnt skin but will also help prevent your skin from peeling. Other than protecting your fried skin, you can use the gel to give relief to insect bites and minor cuts when you are in that exotic location and the mosquitoes and reef won’t leave you alone.

If you are looking to start using sunscreen or are sick of the one you use and want a different one, try out Panama Jack. We also want to know which sunscreens you love, which ones you hate, and why. Or if you have any of those awesome “magical” remedies for sunburn that your grandmas’ grandmas’ mother has passed down, let us know.  It doesn’t matter how weird it might be. Posting comments below is much easier than covering the middle of your back with sunscreen without help.  The guy in this picture definitely needed some help.

Poplular Posts

• Buying A Surfboard: Off The Rack vs. Custom - 85,104 views
• Green Foam Surfboard Blanks - 79,027 views
• Donald Takayama In The Pink Longboard - 73,177 views
• Big Blue: The Wavestorm SUP Review - 71,660 views
• Shaper Review: J. and John Richardson of Surfboards Makaha - 70,639 views
• Ocean Sunglasses: Eye Protection While Surfing - 58,366 views
• Panama Jack Suncare - 55,365 views
• Surf Sleeve: A Solution to Thigh Rash - 54,166 views
• Panama Dream Surf Trip: Special Discount Price - 52,394 views
• Surf Art by Drew Brophy - 50,376 views