It's true--not all Irish Americans have fair skin. I even have a friend who is red-haired and freckled--and she gets a nice tan. Needless to say, I'm jealous. For those of us who have enjoyed the compliments earned by a smooth fair complexion, it always comes with a price: vulnerability to the sun.
Sometimes I wonder how fair skinned Vikings and Irish greats like Grace O'Malley (and my Uncle Chris, Irish American in the U.S. Navy) ever survived time on the open sea. Whenever I'm out in the sun, layers of sunscreen cannot protect me from burn, and being near the reflective surface of the pool or ocean just makes it worse.
Here are some tips I've learned in my nearly 30 years in dealing with fair skin in summer.
Sunscreen: While it is ineffective for some after a while, sunscreen does block the sun. Reapply frequently and be sure to use sunblock instead of sun tanning oil--that does the opposite!
Hats and umbrellas. Take refuge under hats and umbrellas. Protruding parts like the nose and arms (if engaged in an activity like riding a Segway or playing beach volleyball) are especially vulnerable.
Tend to damaged skin. If you do get damage from the sun, get yourself out of the sun immediately. Try cooling agents like Sea Breeze or lotions containing aloe vera to soothe the skin and remove the burn. My aunt also uses vitamin B to replenish her skin--she breaks open the capsules and rubs the oil on her face. After using oils or alcohol on your skin, avoid sun exposure for 12 hours.
Cover up. If you can't be bothered with sunscreen, at least cover up. In the Middle East, there are a lot of rules about modesty and propriety--but people don't just cover up for spiritual reasons. You can actually stay cooler if you have long, light layers on your body and around your head.
Children with fair skin can be especially sensitive--not just to the sun, but to others' comments. I was ridiculed many times all the way through high school for my need to constantly apply sunscreen--and again when being completely white after spending months down the shore (at the beach). If you are the parent of a child with fair skin, it's important to establish the necessity of using sunscreen as well.
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