Why Sun Protection Matters In Fall and Winter

Sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats are summertime staples. Sun protection is essential when you’re spending long, warm days outdoors. But, when the weather turns cool, many people put away the sunscreen and stow the sunglasses until next year.

While there’s no denying that fall brings shorter, cloudier days, it doesn’t mean you can stop protecting your skin from the sun. Sun damage can occur any time you’re outside, and you can still get a sunburn in the winter.

The good news is that the measures you take during the summer work just as well in the fall and winter, and proactive skin care can help lower your risk of developing skin cancer and other issues. In this blog, Oswald Mikell, MD, of Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry, explains more about why sun protection matters in the fall and winter.

Sun damage never stops

The sun constantly emits ultraviolet (UV) light, a type of radiation that damages the DNA in your skin cells over time. UV exposure is the leading cause of premature skin aging and skin cancer.

While it’s true that UV rays are stronger in the summer, sun damage doesn’t stop in the winter. South Carolina’s lowcountry gets about 230 sunny days per year, and UV rays are still present even on cloudy days.

UV light penetrates clouds, and cold air doesn’t affect it, which means that you can still get sunburned and suffer sun damage at any time of the year.

Most skin cancers are on the face, head, and neck

Cooler temperatures call for heavier clothing. Wearing coats, long sleeved shirts, pants, and closed-toed shoes can protect most of your body from the sun’s rays during the winter, but unfortunately, that’s not where most skin cancers occur.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, your face, head, and neck are the most likely places for skin cancer to develop. And these areas are almost always bare, especially in places with mild winters, such as South Carolina.

Continuous sun exposure on your face, head, and neck increases your risk of developing skin cancer, regardless of the season.

Snow reflects harmful UV light

Traveling to a colder destination doesn’t mean you’re free from the risks of sun exposure. Snow reflects sunlight and up to 80% of UV rays, which means that a ski trip could put you at risk of sun damage. Higher altitudes also play a role, because the thinner atmosphere makes UV rays stronger in all seasons.

How to protect your skin in the fall and winter

When the temperatures drop, don’t let sun protection fly out the window. You can lower your chances of getting skin cancer by taking steps to protect your skin whenever you’re outside — no matter the season.

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day. Wear a hat and scarf to shield your head and neck from UV rays. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyelids and your eyes.

Do regular skin self-exams to look for suspicious areas, and make note of any changes you see. Remember to schedule a professional skin exam once a year, and contact Dr. Mikell right away if you notice anything concerning during a self-exam.

To learn more about protecting your skin, or to have your skin examined or treated, book an appointment over the phone with Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry today. We have offices in Hilton Head, Okatie, and Beaufort, South Carolina.