Your guests spend six hours a day on a sun deck at 18 degrees north, reflected light bouncing off white gelcoat and water, reapplying SPF roughly never. Then they ask you why their skin looks "tired" and whether you can "fix these brown patches." What you say next matters, and one of the possible answers is "you need to see a doctor."
The Tropical Reality
UV exposure on a yacht is far higher than guests believe: reflection off water and deck, altitude of the sun, long unbroken hours, and a breeze that hides the burning. UVB burns the epidermis; UVA penetrates to the dermis and drives ageing and pigmentation, and it passes through cloud and glass.
- Around 80–90% of visible facial ageing is attributed to photoageing, not chronological age.
- Sunburn is an injury. You do not treat freshly sunburnt skin — no exfoliation, no wax, no actives. Cool, hydrate, refer if blistered.
Ageing: Intrinsic and Extrinsic
| Type | Driver | Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Intrinsic | Genetics, time | Fine lines, thinner skin, slower cell turnover |
| Extrinsic (photoageing) | UV, smoking, pollution, alcohol | Deep wrinkles, leathery texture, pigmentation, broken capillaries |
Sensitivity
Sensitive skin is reactive by nature; sensitised skin has been made reactive by over-exfoliation, actives, sun or harsh products — and most guest "sensitivity" onboard is sensitised. The treatment is subtraction: fewer actives, no scrubs, barrier repair, time.
Acne and Congestion
| Presentation | Yours or not |
|---|---|
| Blackheads, whiteheads, mild congestion | Cosmetic — you may work on it gently |
| Inflamed papules and pustules | Care; do not extract inflamed lesions |
| Cystic / nodular acne | Medical — refer. Do not treat, do not extract |
| Acne on prescription medication (e.g. isotretinoin) | No waxing, no exfoliation, no actives. Skin tears |
Never squeeze or extract on a whim. Aggressive extraction spreads infection and scars.
Pigmentation
- Hyperpigmentation / sun spots — cosmetic; manageable with sun protection and gentle brightening.
- Melasma — hormonal, worsened by heat and UV, stubborn; be honest that you cannot cure it in a facial.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — the dark mark after a spot; fades slowly.
- Any mole that changes — size, shape, colour, border, bleeding, itching. You say nothing clever and you diagnose nothing. You advise the guest to see a doctor, and you tell the chief stew.
This is the hard line. Cosmetic concerns are yours. Anything that might be medical belongs to a doctor.
Onboard Notes
- Guest skin onboard is sun-exposed, dehydrated and often sensitised. Treat gently.
- Never treat burnt, broken or inflamed skin.
- Isotretinoin and prescription retinoids rule out waxing and exfoliation.
- Changing moles go to a doctor. Every time. No exceptions and no opinions.
- Preparatory study only. Nothing here qualifies you to treat a guest. Beauty and nail work requires an accredited vocational qualification and professional insurance.