Sunscreen, Hydration, and Not Ruining Day 2 of Senior Week

The fastest way to lose a day of Senior Week is a bad sunburn or getting run down from the heat on Day 1. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapply every two hours and after swimming, drink water all day, and plan your beach time around your nights — that’s most of the battle.

Why Day 2 Is the Danger Zone

Day 1 is all adrenaline: unpack, hit the beach, stay out way too long, then head to your first theme party. You don’t feel the damage until the next morning — when the sunburn shows up, you’re dehydrated, and you got about four hours of sleep. Theme parties run late (most start at 9 or 10 p.m. and go until 1:30 or 2 a.m.), so your days and nights both need energy. Protecting yourself on Day 1 is how you enjoy Day 5.

Sunscreen That Actually Works

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends:

• SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum (UVA + UVB), and water-resistant.
• Apply about 15 minutes before you go outside so your skin can absorb it.
• Use enough: about one ounce for your body — most people use way less — and at least a teaspoon for your face.
• Reapply every two hours, and right after swimming or sweating.

Easy-to-miss spots: the tops of your feet, the back of your neck, your ears, and your part line. A hat and sunglasses do a lot of the work for you.

Hydration: Start Before You’re Thirsty

Myrtle Beach in June is hot and humid — the National Weather Service’s 1991–2020 normals for North Myrtle Beach put the average June high around 85°F and the average low around 70°F (NWS Wilmington). Between the sun, the walking, and dancing all night, you lose more water than you think.

• Bring a refillable water bottle to the beach and drink on a schedule, not just when you’re thirsty.
• Stock the room with water on Day 1 so it’s there when you get back late.
• Eat real meals. Skipping food plus heat is a fast track to feeling awful.
• Drink water before a theme party and when you get back to your room.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Look out for each other. According to CDC guidance on heat-related illness:

	Signs	What to do
Heat exhaustion	Heavy sweating; cold, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps	Move somewhere cool, loosen clothing, cool wet cloths, sip water. Get medical help if they’re vomiting, getting worse, or it lasts over an hour.
Heat stroke	Body temperature of 103°F or higher; hot, red, dry or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; confusion or passing out	Call 911 — it’s a medical emergency. Move them somewhere cooler and cool them down. Don’t give them anything to drink.

Plan Your Days Around Your Nights

A Senior Week day that actually works:

• Morning: beach time while it’s a little cooler. Check the beach flag first.
• Midday: shade, lunch, the pool, or a deal from the cardholder discounts list.
• Late afternoon: nap. Seriously. The parties go until about 2 a.m.
• Night: eat, hydrate, and head out together to your theme party on the event schedule.

The Sun & Heat Packing List

• SPF 30+ water-resistant sunscreen
• SPF lip balm
• Hat + sunglasses
• Refillable water bottle
• Aloe for “oops”
• Beach umbrella (round, under 7½ ft)
• Portable charger

If You Already Got Burned

It happens. If Day 1 got away from you, the American Academy of Dermatology’s sunburn tips are the move:

• Take cool showers to ease the sting.
• Use a moisturizer with aloe or soy while your skin is still damp.
• Drink extra water — a sunburn pulls fluid toward the skin’s surface.
• Don’t pop blisters. Keep them clean and covered.
• Stay out of the sun the next day, or cover up completely with clothing, a hat, and shade.

A burned grad who rests one afternoon will still make the night. A burned grad who goes back out at noon usually won’t.

Sleep Is Part of the Plan

Late nights are part of Senior Week, so protect the hours you do get. Keep the room cool and dark, put phones on do-not-disturb after the party, and agree as a crew on a “nobody wakes anyone up before 10” rule. Being rested makes the heat easier to handle and makes it easier to look out for each other.

Quick FAQ

How often should I reapply sunscreen at the beach?

Every two hours, and right after swimming or sweating, per the American Academy of Dermatology.

How hot is Myrtle Beach during Senior Week?

NWS normals for North Myrtle Beach put the average June high around 85°F with lows around 70°F. Expect humidity.

Can I bring a beach tent?

Not on Myrtle Beach city beaches in summer — only round umbrellas up to 7½ feet across are allowed from Memorial Day through the day after Labor Day (small infant tents excepted).