The sun’s rays can be damaging, no matter what time of year. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns, while UVA rays cause long-term damage like wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer. UVA rays are also present during the winter months because they penetrate through clouds and windows. Here are some reasons why you should be wearing sunscreen in the winter:
Prevent Premature Skin Aging
The sun’s rays can cause premature aging of your skin, leading to wrinkles and sunspots or hyperpigmentation. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are responsible for causing these effects on our bodies. Using broad-spectrum sunscreen protects you from these effects by absorbing or blocking out UV rays.
Protect Your Skin from Harmful UV Rays
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm during summertime, but these hours also correspond to when you’ll find yourself spending more time outside during winter (for example, when running errands). If you want to stay safe from photosensitivity and other skin damage caused by UVA/UVB exposure, apply sunscreen on your face, neck, and hands every day.
Prevent Skin Cancer
The sun causes 90% of all skin cancers, and UV rays can damage your skin even if you don’t see any signs of burns or redness immediately after being exposed to them. This means that even if you aren’t planning on spending time outdoors during the day (or if it’s too cold outside), you should still be using an SPF 30+ sunscreen every day, especially on areas of your face that are often exposed to direct sunlight like your eyes or cheeks.
Prevent Sunburn
No matter what time of year it is, the sun’s rays can cause damage to your skin. Even if you’re not planning on spending extended periods outside, you should still wear sunscreen daily because UV rays can penetrate through windows and clouds. Consider applying a moisturizer with SPF 30 every morning; this will help combat dry winter skin and sun damage.
Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays
While many think that sunglasses protect their eyes from the sun’s rays, they only protect against visible light — UV rays are invisible to the naked eye. Wearing sunglasses with a UV protection factor (UV-P) of 50+ is essential for protecting your eyes from UV damage (and preserving your eyesight). Exposure to UV rays can lead to serious eye conditions like cataracts or even blindness.
Schedule a Consultation
With so many options for sunscreen out there, it can take time to decide what to choose. The best thing you can do is start with the dermatologists at Arlington Dermatology in Arlington, Virginia. We can help you select a product that matches your skin type and lifestyle so don’t hesitate to book a consultation with us today.
