wolfpackmom Posted September 2, 2015 #1 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Saw my dermatologist today and mentioned that I am going to Alaska next week. She cautioned me about the altitude and advised using plenty of sunscreen to avoid sun damage to my face. She was not kidding around and was very stern in her warning. I will make sure to apply SPF to my face, but I'm curious...have you ever heard of anyone getting a sunburn in Alaska? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Aurora Posted September 2, 2015 #2 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Well -- I live in Alaska's interior. I am very fair skinned and use sunblock continually in the summer. And I mean daily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted September 2, 2015 #3 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Altitude? Seems to me unless you are a mountain climber, most of where you would be on a cruise would be at or near sea level...EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted September 2, 2015 #4 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Received a sunburn while dogsledding in Skagway July 2015. DW got a sunburn just spending a lot of time on our verandah. It must be noted that July was probably the best weather in the history of Alaska cruising with lots of sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKStafford Posted September 2, 2015 #5 Share Posted September 2, 2015 You'll be at a northern latitude, but not necessarily a high altitude. I live here and wind up pretty fried at least a couple times per summer. It's my Scandinavian heritage coming through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted September 2, 2015 #6 Share Posted September 2, 2015 How big is the Arctic Ozone hole? http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/monthly/NH.html Basically if you see sunlight... it's time for long sleeves and/or sunblock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted September 2, 2015 #7 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Absolutely, you should apply sunscreen. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potstech Posted September 2, 2015 #8 Share Posted September 2, 2015 If there is snow on the ground or you are on the water you get hit with a double whammy. Direct sunlight and reflected sunlight at the same time. Also take a good pair of sunglasses because the term snow blindness also applies. Lived in Alaska for a year and was sunburned often when not paying attention to what I was doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted September 2, 2015 #9 Share Posted September 2, 2015 (edited) Yes - several times. They have sun in Alaska also! Sometimes from boat tours and other times, just being on the ship. Edited September 2, 2015 by Coral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Italy52 Posted September 2, 2015 #10 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I have experienced sun as well as wind burn several times during our trips to Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherryf Posted September 2, 2015 #11 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Yes, I have gotten sunburned in Alaska... in Ketchikan, where it "always" rains. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachatthebeach Posted September 2, 2015 #12 Share Posted September 2, 2015 My daughter didn't burn, but her face definitely got some sun when we were on the glacier dogsledding. The mushers actually put sunscreen on the dogs' noses and the insides of their ears to prevent sunburn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowPrincess Posted September 3, 2015 #13 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Yes I've gotten sunburned in Alaska, both on the ship and onshore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizinator Posted September 3, 2015 #14 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Twice..while in cruising in Glacier Bay...I got a light tan. Both times...not a cloud to be seen. One cruise was in September 2008....the other...last May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipmaster Posted September 5, 2015 #15 Share Posted September 5, 2015 If there is sun+sea, or sun+snow/ice he/she who neglects sunscreen is in for a suprise. Often in the winter I see many a skier who seem to wear with pride their burns. Temperature and latitude have nothing with less/ more sun, what matters is sun and reflection, WEAR the SCREEN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lyndarra Posted September 6, 2015 #16 Share Posted September 6, 2015 (edited) Need to remember its not necessarily direct sunlight that burns. You can get burnt on an overcast day due to UV. It's the UV that does the damage. If in doubt slip, slop, slap as we say here. Slip on a shirt, Slop on some sunscreen and Slap on a hat. It was interesting to see the Eskimo sun protection masks and goggles at the Fairbanks Uni museum. Worth a visit. Edited September 6, 2015 by lyndarra typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing husky Posted September 6, 2015 #17 Share Posted September 6, 2015 As everyone has said, yes, you can get sunburned.....and windburned in Alaska....especially if you are going up on a glacier....our sled dogs get zinc on their nose.....and sometimes in their ears....most Alaskans wear sunblock... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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