Sunburn? In Alaska? Really?

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?

Well -- I live in Alaska's interior. I am very fair skinned and use sunblock continually in the summer. And I mean daily.

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

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.

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.

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.

Absolutely, you should apply sunscreen.

Keith

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.

Yes - several times. They have sun in Alaska also!

Sometimes from boat tours and other times, just being on the ship.

I have experienced sun as well as wind burn several times during our trips to Alaska.

Yes, I have gotten sunburned in Alaska... in Ketchikan, where it "always" rains. :eek:

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.

Yes I've gotten sunburned in Alaska, both on the ship and onshore.

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.

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!

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.

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...