Sun Protection, Victorian Style


"According to the present theory, it is not the heat of the sun which develops freckles and tans and burns the skin, but the light from its electrical rays (commonly called actinic, which merely signifies chemical); and it is the difference in the chemical constituents of the pigment in the skin which causes these rays to affect some persons so much more seriously than others. Neither blue veils nor white ones are the least protection, as the electric rays pass directly through them. Red rejects these blue and violet rays, therefore a reddish-brown veil interposes an obstacle; and, of course, a red one is protective, but has only that recommendation. Even fashion can never make a red veil or red gloves other than hideous. The veil habit is a very bad one for the eyes, and if women understood their own advantage and welfare, the manufacturers of spotted-net veiling would go out of business, for not a yard of it would be sold. When a veil is really needed for protection, it should be of gauze or chiffon.
If the skin is well rubbed with cold cream and powdered, it will come through the ordeal of a yachting-trip or a fishing-excursion without serious burning. When, however, this precaution has not been taken, the pain from a first exposure, in the process of a summer tanning, can be greatly alleviated by bathing the face for ten or fifteen minutes with water as hot as can be borne; follow this with gentle massage, rubbing in sweet cream, almond-milk, vaseline, or any cold cream. The orange-flower, cucumber, or elder-flower are especially adapted to this condition. This will reduce the inflammation, but will not bleach the skin; and if you have no ambition to become as brown as an Indian, you must follow the massaging with steaming as already directed. After gentle wiping, apply Gowland's Lotion or one of the milder freckle lotions,—the glycinerated lemon, or that with lactic acid."
-- Fletcher, The Woman Beautiful

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