Me Pale Face [PHIL-OSOPHY]

Fellow light or pale-skinned people who are sensitive to the sun, how many patronizing times have we heard not to stay too long in the sun? Celeste and I are getting ready for our annual Florida jaunt and despite all the warnings, I know I'm still going to get sunburned. And the spots where I get burned are off-kilter and a bit odd.

Instead of my entire body getting sunburned, I'll burn from knee caps to thighs and that knee-pit area on the back of my leg, down on my ankles, my shoulders and around my stomach in rings, like the four around Jupiter. The rest of me doesn't change color.

Oh yes, my face always ends up as red as a beefsteak tomato, and lately so does the top of my head, where my hair is beginning to thin out.

With all the information I pump out there over the air, one would figure I know a thing or two about skin cancer prevention. But every year, I'm part of the 35 percent of adults who get sunburned. And every year I go down my list of sunburn remedies; refrigerated aloe vera, cooled black or chamomile tea, Greek yogurt with the cultures or a cool baking soda bath. I've done them all.

And then afterward, the kind of moisturizing lotion to use becomes the center of discussion. I'm fine with something like Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair because it's only $3.49. But some of those hydro-boost gels and lotions can cost anywhere from $15 to $20, and that's way above my pay grade.

So here I am once again, packing away my sandals, shorts and 20-year-old Hawaiian shirts and looking forward to a little Florida rest and relaxation.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.