People often tell me that I resemble a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, minus the heavy Austrian accent and obvious steroid usage. While my glorious, naturally-tan skin is likely due to some magical gene found in my German ancestry (like Arnold), that’s really where the similarities stop. I was confused at the comparison. That is, until I saw the movie “Vertical Limit” starring a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. Once I realized the movie was essentially a vehicle for helping people understand how to prevent high altitude sunburn, it all clicked.
After coming to this realization, I realized, it was time for a modern-day “Vertical Limit” remake. The remake would be less covert in providing helpful tips on how to prevent high altitude sunburn. It might even help you understand how Tanny gets such a glorious high altitude tan. It might even include a nasty looking alpaca named “Mr. Nasty / Mr. NAS-TAY / Mr. NASTINO”. Without further ado, Tanny Mangino presents the short-film, “VER-TAN-CAL Limit” for your viewing pleasure.
How Altitude Affects Sun Exposure
Altitude is an important variable to consider when you plan on being outdoors. At higher altitudes, there is less atmosphere to filter the harmful UVB rays that cause sunburn. Less atmosphere means fewer opportunities for harmful rays to be scattered by dust particles, clouds, etc. According to the World Health Organization, UV levels increase by 10% – 12% for every one-thousand meter increase in altitude (8% – 10% per one-thousand feet). Another, often overlooked, factor that also impacts your level of sun exposure is the angle of the sun. The angle of the sun related to your location greatly impacts the distance that sunlight must travel through the atmosphere to reach you. Once again, the greater the distance, the more UV rays that are scattered, dispersed, and refracted.
High Altitude Sun Safety Tips for Preventing Sunburn
So how do you avoid getting a sunburn at higher elevations? Follow the checklist below to ensure you’re well prepared .
- Cover-Up with sun-protective clothing. I can’t stress this point enough, but ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) rated clothing can be the difference between getting a sunburn and not getting a sunburn. Not only is UPF-rated clothing more effective than sunscreen at protecting against ultraviolet rays, it can also help keep you warm and protect from wind-burn as well. I suggest purchasing a base UPF base layer for your high-altitude pursuits. You should also purchase a face mask/shield that you can use to cover your neck, nose, mouth, and ears. A hat is always a good-idea as well, particularly hats with a wide-brim that cover your entire head.
- Apply sunscreen to exposed skin. No matter how much you try to cover up, sometimes you just can’t cover it all. Think your nose, lips, cheeks, etc. For these hard to cover places, make sure to apply a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. Be sure to apply 30 minutes before you head outside. Make sure to leverage products like the Sun Bum Face Stick that will provide ample protection, no matter how much you sweat.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Plain and simple. Don’t forget just because it’s inconvenient or doesn’t seem necessary.
Sincerely,
