Most of us know the importance of protecting our skin during the summer. But did you know it’s actually more important to protect your skin during the winter? And yes, even here in Monroe, Louisiana.
Believe it or not, not only does the weather change depending on the season, so does our skin. In the winter your skin is more stressed and dries out more easily, in part because of the cold air and partially due to heating our houses.
In the fall and winter, your skin grows more sensitive to the sun than it is in the summer. The UV radiation is reduced in the winter so the body produces less melanin. That’s why everyone seems a little paler during the winter months. We actually are.
The issue becomes even worse for winter athletes. Someone who spends a lot of time in the mountains skiing and snowboarding can be compared with someone who spends their summer days at the beach or by the pool.
Use Sunscreen in the Winter to Protect Against Harmful Rays
The reason too much sun exposure is harmful to our skin is because sunlight is composed of a multitude of light rays, both visible and invisible to the naked eye. Some of the invisible rays are formed by ultraviolet light, both UVA and UVB.
UVA rays are able to penetrate more deeply into the skin, and those are the ones that contribute the most to skin cancer and increased signs of aging. UVA rays are consistent in their intensity all day long, all year long, and are able to penetrate through glass as well as through the clouds.
The effects of UVA rays don’t even appear as sunburn, so you won’t feel, and may not be aware of, the harm you’re doing to your skin.
UVB rays, on the other hand, are even more intense. Too much exposure to these rays will result in skin redness and sunburn. Did you realize those signs indicate you’ve had some degree of damage done to your DNA? Protecting yourself against this damage is vital.
UVB rays become most dangerous from about April to October. This is when it’s at the highest intensity. Ultraviolet light, both UVA and UVB, also impair your skin’s immunity.
Long-lasting Results of UV Rays
Another reason for using sunscreen in the winter, and this may be the most important one of all, is the cumulative effect of these harmful UV rays. The damage done is irreversible, long-term, and you may not see the full effects for many years. Some of these damages include:
- Reduced skin elasticity
- Increased wrinkles and skin aging
- Uneven pigmentation, such as sunspots
- Hyperpigmentation, particularly on the forehead or cheeks
- Enlarged pores
- Aggravated existing skin conditions
- Appearance of premalignant lesions or moles that can result in skin cancer
Protect Yourself with Sunscreen in the Winter
We’ve already established that UV rays remain as strong during the winter as they are during summer months. Here’s a fun fact you may not know; roughly 80% of UV radiation will be reflected when there is snow on the ground. In contrast, only 25% is reflected from sand. That just underscores the need to protect your skin in the wintertime.
Final Words
Here are four tips to help you protect against wintertime sun:
- Use sunscreen on all areas of your skin that are exposed, especially the tender skin on your nose and ears.
- Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.
- Don’t forget your lips. They don’t produce melanin, so they’re completely unprotected against sunlight. Use a lip product that contains sun protection.
- If you find yourself in higher elevations, use sun protection products with higher SPF amounts. The higher you are, the higher the protection you need.