Importance of Wearing Sunscreen in the Winter
2/9/2023
Many people may be
tempted to pack the sunscreen away when temperatures get colder, but health
experts say sun protection shouldn’t be reserved for the summer months.
“Even though the
winter sun does not feel strong enough to cause a burn, the sun's ultraviolet
(UV) rays, both UVA and UVB, are still present and can still cause skin
damage,” says Katrina
Mattek, Physician Assistant at Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics.
In fact, the sun's
rays can be even more harmful during the winter months. According to the Skin
Cancer Foundation, snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light, so the
rays hit you twice, further increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature
aging. Mattek says this is why it’s very important to remember to wear
sunscreen when performing outdoor winter activities such as skiing and
snowboarding.
Here are five tips
from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) to help protect your skin from
the sun this winter:
Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is
water-resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protects
you from UVA and UVB rays.
Apply sunscreen before going outdoors. It
takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and
protect you. If you wait until you are in the sun to apply sunscreen, your skin
is unprotected and can burn.
Use enough sunscreen. Most adults need
about 1 ounce — or enough to fill a shot glass — to fully cover their body. In
the winter, though, much of the skin will be covered with winter-wear and less
of the product will be needed. Rub the sunscreen thoroughly into your skin.
Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Remember
your neck, face, ears, and any other areas of the skin that may be showing. If
you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a winter
hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15.
To remain protected when outdoors, reapply sunscreen
every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating. People
who get sunburned usually didn’t use enough sunscreen, didn’t reapply it after
being in the sun or used an expired product. Your skin is exposed to the sun’s
harmful UV rays every time you go outside, even on cloudy days and in the
winter. So, no matter the season, remember to use sunscreen.
By taking the time to
protect your skin appropriately, you can help prevent sun damage and keep your
skin looking healthy and youthful all year round.
Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics
carries medical grade skincare products that offer sun protection. For more
information, visit www.aspirus.org/plastic-surgery or call 715.870.2162.
Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics is located at
1901 Westwood Center Boulevard in Wausau, Wisconsin with some providers now offering outreach in Wisconsin
Rapids and Rhinelander.
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