Your Guide to Perfect Sun Protection

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I don’t know of any scientific literature on the subject, but the skin cancer rate among Goths is probably very low. Their commitment to nocturnalism and the collective fetish of ghostly pale skin is both an ideological rebuke to shiny, happy consumerism and a great way to avoid melanoma.

With another global warming summer ominously approaching, I shared it with some nocturnal creatures to get some tips for us normies on how to protect ourselves from the damn sun (and still look incredibly ugly).

Do not leave the house during the day

Sunscreen can only take you so far. If you want complete, 100% sun protection, go nocturnal and never leave the house when the sun is shining. There’s a reason goth clubs don’t open until midnight.

“I hate hot weather and the sun,” explained Avatar , a gothic costume designer and milliner from Los Angeles. “I have reverse seasonal depression. I feel really sad during the hot months, so I just want to stay at home all day.”

Most of us do not have the opportunity to stay at home literally all the time, but if possible, the hours when the sun is most active should be avoided. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , who aren’t Goths at all, the hours with the strongest UV rays are between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Pack an umbrella

Leaving the house in the summer with an umbrella, you make a bold fashion statement and also save your skin from premature wrinkles. “I have a beautiful spider web umbrella that protects me and makes me feel like I can handle the heat and still look cute,” Avatara said.

A good Sky Spirit umbrella from goth seller KillStar , or check out these umbrellas of all kinds , from traditional oriental parasols to gothic versions.

Clothing: black is always in fashion.

While regular people tend to wear lighter colors in summer because it’s cooler, Goths still wear all black and it’s the best way to protect yourself from the sun. “I’m always 100% committed to black,” Avatara agreed. “If I wear any other color, it’s navy blue and black… I want to look like I’m going to a funeral every day.”

Black certainly looks the best, but it’s also functional: dark colors absorb more UV rays than light colors, so less sunlight hits the skin. Some studies have shown that white and yellow are the worst colors for sun protection; dark blue is best. But black is right there.

The material and cut also matter. “My secret to summer clothes is linen. Black linen,” said Los Angeles goth Frederick Faith. Faith’s choice is fashion-forward and it’s top-notch sun protection. According to skin Cancer.org , “loose clothing is preferable” as tight clothing can stretch, and as the fibers separate, more UV radiation passes through. So think freely and fluidly, which is more dramatic anyway.

Wear a witch hat

Gothic hats are perfect for summer. Not only are they black and UV resistant, they tend to have wide brims, offering more protection than some fool in a baseball cap can get.

“I always wear a big hat in the summer,” Avatara said. “The good thing about witch hats is that they have a big brim, so they are really good protection from the sun. Boleros are good too. Avatara’s custom gothic hats are amazing pieces of art , and you should buy at least three of them or check out some entry-level offerings like this gothic cowboy hat or this wide-brimmed cap .

Sunglasses: all day and every day

Oversized sunglasses are cool and functional; the more of your face they cover, the more rays are blocked from your delicate creamy facial skin. Cat-eye glasses are ideal, as in The Midnight Hour . If you don’t like oversized glasses, even Dracula-inspired shades are better than no shades at all. Just make sure the UV protection is high.

Apply some sunscreen SPF 666

If you want to make a big impression at the local water park while avoiding sun damage to your face, I recommend this zippered rubber hood from JT’s Stockroom , but if you don’t want to scare the kids, you’ll need to slather on sunscreen. A leather face with trapping mittens is not gothic.

“In order to keep my vampire look youthful, I prefer to wear tinted sunscreen,” Avatara said. “I love CōTZ Flawless Complexion sunscreen. ”

Frédéric Feith agreed: “Sunscreen is a must. SPF 666.

Speaking of the sun protection factor, how high you should go is a surprisingly tricky question. While higher SPF sunscreens do protect you from more rays, they can also give some people a false sense of security, which is why they are often not reapplied as needed. Bottom line: Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating, regardless of SPF.

It should be noted that swimming is not very gothic, unless you are sailing out to sea and planning to return.

How to be goth on the beach

Leaving the beach for normal people during the day is something that most goths enjoy, but surprisingly, some actually enjoy the sand and the sea – wandering along a deserted coastline as the waves crash against the rocks has its own appeal. There are all sorts of goth swimsuits featuring ghosts, bats , or Lucifer , and you can even find scary sandals , but the most important beach gear for a goth (or anyone) is a cover-up. Luckily, the gothic style of dressing in flowing dark fabrics goes well with best practices for sun protection.

“Covering up is important because I definitely want to protect my skin and not just be in the public eye,” Avatara said. “I have some pretty black mesh capes with fringes and lace embroidery over the top. They seem whimsical and romantic and still make me feel like I’m keeping my gothic essence on the beach.”

Don’t worry, summer will end too

Summer can be the worst season for goths, but if you think of it as Halloween prep, it’s more bearable.

Remember, however, that colder and stormier autumns and winters eliminate some of the danger from the sun, but not all. Sure, you’ll be more closed off, but your exposed skin still needs sunscreen to keep your pallid pallor.

Your Guide to Buying Gothic Sun Protection

You can’t buy gothic; it is a way of thinking. But you can buy goth gear that will protect you well from the sun.

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