We usually look forward to rare winter sun, but when it comes to our skin, it can be very dangerous. Snow reflects back more than 80 percent of UV radiation, and that is much more than 15 percent reflected off water and sand in the summer. There are serious dangers that can cause eye damage, sunburns, and even melanoma or skin cancer. That’s why we need to take our skin protection habits in the winter seriously. Here are a few tips.
Wear sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses in the winter is more important than you might think, since the winter sun can literally blind you. Snow reflects a lot of UV rays which can cause the surface of our eyes to get sunburned; this is called snow blindness. It can damage the retina of our eyes permanently. We need to protect our eyes from the brightness and UV rays alike, so dark glasses which don’t have UV protection are not good enough. There are usually sunglasses that offer 99 percent UV protection available. It is best to consult your eye doctor and see what type of protective sunglasses are the best for you, especially if you wear glasses or lenses.
Cover Your Skin
The same rules that apply for covering your skin in the summer apply in the winter as well, especially if you will be spending time on the snow. Even if it is not so cold outside, you should wear protective clothes to guard your skin against the UV radiation. A wide-brimmed hat can cut in half the amount of UV radiation that reaches your eyes, and there are wrap-around ski masks and goggles that cover the entire upper part of your face. Wear gloves, scarves, cover your ears and the skin behind your ears and your scalp as well.
Wear Sunscreen
Winter is harsh on our skin, not only because of the winter sun reflecting off the snow, but also because of the strong winds and bitter cold. The combination of these factors can be very damaging to our skin, so we need to take precaution. One of the ways to protect ourselves is to use a broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer (at least 30 or higher) whenever we are outside. The UV rays reach our skin even through the clouds, so using sunscreen even when there is no sun is important. Be sure to use generous amounts of sunscreen evenly on all exposed skin, including your neck and your ears. There are lip balms containing SPF so you should use these as well. Reapply the creams every two hours.
Minimize Sun Exposure
With all of the above said, the best form of protection from the harmful effects of the winter sun is minimizing our exposure to it. It is best to avoid being out in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, especially if you are out in the snow. You can choose to ski or have your winter fun earlier in the mornings or in the late afternoon, or at least take regular breaks indoors to reapply sunscreen and let your skin rest. Always make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
As long as you take these steps, you will be fairly safe out in the snow and in the winter sun, but always keep in mind that moderation is the key. Once your skin or eyes are seriously damaged, it is hard to go back to normal.
Photo by Eli DeFaria
Emma Lawson
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