To Cover or Not to Cover, Your Whole Face

When I went to meet my boyfriend for a bike ride, I did a double-take. He was standing at the corner, holding his bike, and looking like...a bank robber. His whole face was covered, and I couldn’t see his eyes behind his sunglasses. He wasn’t trying to scare me, but rather he was trying to protect his fair skin. He was wearing a “face and neck cover” made by the Australian company Solbari. It covered his nose, neck, and lower part of his face.

Considering skin cancer protection clothing

Did I want to try one? I wasn’t sure, but I took it when he handed it to me. He knows about my history of skin cancer and thought I might like to ride with it. That is, ride with it on my face, and not in my pocket, which is where I wanted to put it.

I tried it on. It was indeed, as the manufacturer states, breathable and lightweight. Still, not that I’m vain or anything (well, maybe I am) but I just don’t see myself riding in it.

Getting creative with sun protection

It might seem silly not to wear it, because just that day, before playing tennis, I had rummaged through a drawer looking for something to protect my neck. (My collar buttoned up but not high enough). I pulled out a scarf. I tied it in a bow. I wrapped it around my neck. Either way, it looked silly, like I was going to work instead of playing tennis.

It would be better if my neck were covered. The skin is mottled from over-exposure to the sun. My dermatologist also repeatedly zapped one persistent actinic keratosis. Luckily it went away before turning into skin cancer. But it left a mark.

Personal preferences for neck and face coverings

My boyfriend continued to wear his covering. It was not necessarily for germ protection but more for sun protection. While he was riding, some idiot honked and shouted, “You don’t need to wear a face mask when you’re bike riding.” But for whatever reason, if he wants to do it, why should someone care?

I looked around for something a little less intense. I already had a neck gaiter that he had given me a while back. Back when he gave it to me, it was to protect my neck from the sun and soak up the sweat when we were biking.

The many choices of sun protection clothing

Now they are all over the place, with UPF in them. In addition to finding them on the websites of larger companies such as Solbari, Coolibar, LL Bean, and REI, you can get them from smaller, independent companies on the online marketplace Etsy.

I’ve enjoyed patronizing these smaller businesses for recent purchases such as a pair of earrings made of sea glass. People are really getting creative with these neck coverings too. I saw some with seascapes, some with horses, zebras, and other animals as part of the fabric. Some have fringes and others with bright geometric patterns. You can also get a golden retriever neck gaiter or one that makes you look like another dog breed of your choice. Or, you can get one that makes you look like a cat. These are kind of pricey compared to some of the others. They would definitely be a conversation piece, though.

Those dog faces are a little too much for me, as is the bank robber look. I think I might look around for something more simple for my neck and not my whole face.