Just wondering if all you lucky people down under spend much time sunbathing? I know that if we book a holiday for 2 weeks we are out in it all day (with lots of sunscreen on!!) Does the novelty of the sun and getting a tan soon wear off?? Is there anyone out there that's still got an english rose complexion??

Most people I know spend their time staying out of the sun and the phrase "skin cancer" is far more common than "getting a tan".

Think you'll find lots of Aussies avoid the sun as skin cancer isn't a good look! Big hole in the ozone over Aus, hence the high rates of skin cancer!

The Sun's at full radiation strength down here... Most seem to try and avoid it like the plague...!

Lots of people look very tanned and some look very pale. So I guess it is a personal thing. I love being out in the sun but I am a lot more careful than I used to be - then oil now a factor 30. I tan well but because the sun is strong it fades rapidly here. I remember it was the same when I was in Sydney a long time back - would spend the weekend on the beach and be black on a Monday but would be pale by Friday!

I have seen lots of Aussies sunbathe here and some use oil and low factor stuff. Interestingly many use sunbeds also. Those that don't sunbake have admitted to using fake tan - like a couple of people at work yesterday - I was amazed.

But yes if lying in the sun is your thing it is still legal and I always feel better with a touch of a tan. Does beg the question though - why the hell do people come here if not for the climate and lifestyle????

Sue

I see quite a few sunbathers around here. They are usually pommy migrants. Some look like Egyptian mummies with skin like an old shammy leather.

I'm one who does like the sun though won't go out in anything less than factor 30+. Living in Australia is very different to your 2 weeks in the med though! I used to start off with factor 15 and after a couple of days be down to factor 8 (or less ) But because you get a lot more sun here you do become a lot more "sun aware".

Trying to fit in a part time job and looking after three children and getting all the chores done does not leave much time for sunbathing though! If it's nice on the weekend I'll maybe laze by the pool for a couple of hours watching the kids play but life is too busy to focus on sunbathing! We do so much outdoors anyway that you tan nicely without having the discomfort of getting hot and sweaty lying in the sun! Having said that, when we get the opportunity I am more than happy to while a way a few hours stretched out on the beach!

B

I see quite a few sunbathers around here. They are usually pommy migrants. Some look like Egyptian mummies with skin like an old shammy leather

MMMM! attractive
just like that woman out of the film "Something About Mary", where she uses sheets of aluminium to reflect the sun.
Can't say its a good look, but I know what you mean
bec

0% of my time is spent sunbathing. I'm a fair skinned, freckled, redhead so I avoid the sun. Morning routine consists of 3 minute shower due to water restrictions, dry off, slather on copious amounts of sunscreen, get dressed, go to work. When ever I go outside more sunscreen goes on my face and any other exposed skin.

Same here. We've been here just over four months and the only person I have seen sunbathing was a pommie who happened to be staying at the same motel as us. Just too bloomin hot to go out in the sun. Even when we've been down to Tannum Sands of a weekend there are people about usually having barbies or bodyboarding etc so have wetsuits on. No one just lounges about in the sun.

Mx

When we were there on hols last year (January - QLD - Hot!) loads of people and nearly all the children on the beach wore "rashies" - the sunblock tshirts. They were brilliant - kids ready for the sun in about 5 mins as opposed to the usual 20 minutes rubbing in Factor 40 routine!

I was really surprised at the amount of fake tan in the shops, and loads of beauty salons advertising spray-on fake tan!

None. You get a nice colour just by going about your everyday business.

No sunbathing for me ("sunbaking" seems to the local phrase) ... I seek shade where at all possible (especially parking the car ... the wife taught me that one quickly!).

The most sun I get in any one day is if I play cricket ... and that is MORE than enough sun ... slip, slap, slop ...

Yes we avoid the sun like the plague. Never sunbathe, too dangerous here, what with the high skin cancer risks and ozone layer.

I would like to have a good, long, youthful looking life thankyou.

Depends on how old you are and if your skins is a bit hardened.

Personally, I like the sun but I only sunbath a bit the rest of the tan is fake. I didnt let myself get suntanned when i was younger but once into my forties I stay in it a bit longer.

My eldest is very fair skinned and cant get a tan for love nor money, she doesnt even go red!! My two youngest are little ozzies from the elbows and knees down, once clothes off they look like lego people all white, and my 9 year old is very sun aware and uses skin cream every day after her bath! (Even my 17 year old is too lazy for that routine). I have noticed my skin soaks up any creams like a sponge, its well worth investing in good face creams . Seemingly Perth is not too good on the old skin as it drys it out, Brisbane is better keeps the skin moist (heard that from a beauty consultant)....

We in Perth do have the biggest ozone hole over us