A lot of midwesterners think that you only need sunscreen during the summertime, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You don’t have to live in sunny California or Florida to need winter protection from the sun. Sunscreen is a product you should be using year-round, every time you leave the house, or when you will be spending any amount of time outdoors. Here’s why.
The sun’s rays aren’t any less damaging in the winter.
The reason sun damages your skin is the UVB and UVA rays that it gives off. While it is true that the number of UVB rays decreases in the winter, the threat of skin cancer doesn’t decrease. In addition, UVA rays are present at consistent levels year-round and are just as responsible for skin cancer as UVBs.
The cold can actually make sun damage worse.
Of course, the cold doesn’t have a direct effect on how damaging the sun might be, but it does play a role in increased sun damage. When you are cold, you aren’t thinking about how much time you’ve been outside. You’re certainly not thinking about how long you’ve been in the sun. That means you could spend longer in direct sunlight than you normally would, making the effects worse.
The combination of sun and wind can destroy your lips.
Don’t forget to get a petroleum jelly based SPF 15 lip balm. The sun can damage your lips just as it can your skin. That’s why your lips often feel “chapped” after being out in the sun all day. The wind can also damage the sensitive skin of your lips. Wearing the lip balm with sunblock should solve both problems.
If you need assistance in learning how to care for your skin this winter, contact us today for a skin consultation.
