Don't Get Sunburned! Sun Protection Tips - Festival Outfit Edition
Introduction
This article is something I used to write on my old blog.
I closed the blog for various reasons, but I decided to repost the articles I really wanted to keep here on Note.
I will try to keep the text as close to the original as possible, but I might have corrected some typos if I found any.
(Also, all the images used in the previous blog posts were lost, so I've recreated them all... and updated the accompanying text accordingly.)
*June 27, 2026: Added a section on 'Cooling goods are also recommended for midsummer'.
Wed, 11 Apr 2018
It's that time of year again! The season for spring and summer festivals!!
My first festival experience was in 2006, so counting from then, I've been a festival-goer for 12 years...
A few years ago, I suffered a severe sunburn at a spring festival.
I've heard that UV rays are stronger in spring than in summer, but you'll really regret it if you underestimate them.
To make sure you don't end up like me, I'll share my recommended outfits and sun protection tips, along with my own experiences!!
A sunburn so painful I couldn't even take a proper bath
The incident happened at METROCK Osaka in 2016...
*METROCK is the most comfortable and wonderful festival I have ever been to. I would recommend it to outdoor festival beginners as well. (I've already bought tickets for the second day in Osaka this year too!)
The festival is held over two days. On the first day, I was able to enjoy it normally without any issues.
However, on the evening of the second day... I was stunned when I saw my face in the restroom mirror.
It was abnormally red and dark.
I'm naturally tan, but I was shocked because I had never turned such a ghastly color before.
When I got home and tried to take a bath, it got even worse...
It hurt just to get into the hot water!! What is this?!
Both of my arms were badly burned, and it hurt whenever anything touched them.
The next day, the skin on my face started peeling off in patches. And it was itchy.
I really didn't know what to do, and I ended up having to go to work wearing a mask even though it was hot... (*Added May 2, 2023: This was before the COVID-19 pandemic, so nobody was wearing masks at that time... I was so embarrassed...)
It was a terrifying experience that made me realize that a sunburn is a type of burn...
From then on, I decided that I would be fully prepared so I would never get sunburned again...
Don't Get Sunburned! Sun Protection Tips - Festival Outfit Edition
▼ Recommended Outfit
Hat
Towel (draped over shoulders)
Ultra-thin hoodie (long sleeves)
T-shirt
Shorts or half-pants
Leggings (full-length)
Socks (long enough to cover your ankles)
Sneakers (in case of rain, rain boots or sneaker-style rain boots)
A hat is a must!! I recommend a hat type with a brim (the protruding part of the hat) all the way around. If you don't have one, a combination of a cap and a towel works too.
Many people bring towels from their favorite bands. They are usually sold at the festival merchandise booth for about 1,000 yen, but the booths can get crowded, and if you use them without washing, the sweat might cause the colors to bleed, so I recommend buying them by the day before if possible (online or at each band's live venue, etc.).
For a hoodie, I recommend a thin one designed for UV protection. Depending on the weather, a regular thick one might be too hot...
Note: Added on 7/27/2018: When it's mid-summer and extremely hot, it might be a good idea to intentionally wet a rash guard hoodie (a hoodie worn over a swimsuit) before putting it on. Conversely, you might need to be careful not to get too cold from the wind?
I choose short-sleeved T-shirts. (Please choose according to the temperature.)
For leggings, choose breathable ones for spring and summer. They are surprisingly cool and comfortable.
In mid-summer, cooling goods are also recommended.
The 'Ice Non Shake to Super Cool Scarf' on the left side of the photo above was a godsend item.
Because of the temperature difference from the outside air, it felt like ice (subjectively) when wrapped around my neck. This helped me a lot.
The extreme cold spray also performed quite well, but I only used it in places where there were no people so as not to bother others, so I didn't get to use it much.
Don't Get Sunburned! Sun Protection Tips - Skincare Edition
I covered my skin as much as possible with my outfit, but there are parts that just can't be hidden, right... like your face...
So, both women and men, let's reapply sunscreen about every 2 hours. There's no choice but to take care of it frequently.
I always reapply liquid foundation when I go to the restroom.
Also, be careful with the 'back of your ears' as it's easy to overlook! If you notice it, it'll be bright red and ouch...!
Especially for women, don't forget your 'neck'... It would be a shame if your neck was dark and your face was stark white...
Note: Added on 4/28: Someone on Twitter told me that in addition to the above, some people use drinkable sunscreen! When I looked it up, it seems to be like a supplement.
Also, be careful of mask tan lines! I saw a guy last year whose face was bright red except for the mask area... It was kind of pitiful (sweat).
That's all! With this, you shouldn't end up in the sunburn hell I did... (lol)
Have a fun festival life!!