5 Reasons you need to wear Sunscreen in Winters
Don’t skip this essential skincare step
It’s easy to remember your sunscreen with reminders like bright sunshine and heat in the summer. Although the sun might not feel as strong in the winter, it’s a huge mistake to skip sunscreen during this time. Sunscreen should be a staple part of your routine no matter the weather or time of year. Here’s why it’s especially important to use it in the winter.
1. UV rays penetrate winter clouds
No matter how thick those overcast clouds look in the winter, up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can still penetrate them.
UVA is always present and can penetrate clouds, glass, and deeper into the skin. UVA damages deeper skin layers, resulting in premature aging and increased risk of skin cancer.
2. Sunscreen has useful anti-aging properties
If there’s one season you want to work harder to prevent dry skin and wrinkles, it’s winter, so slather on that sunscreen and use it to keep your skin radiant. Harsh winter weather is incredibly drying and taxing on skin. Also, UV rays damage collagen and elastin in your skin, resulting in the acceleration of fine lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, sunscreen has proven anti-aging properties.
3. The dangers are even indoors
Even if you work in an office all day long, you shouldn’t skip sunscreen. This is especially true if you sit near a window or drive to work.
4. Winter conditions remove sunscreen faster
On a hot day at the beach, you’re likely to sweat off your sunscreen and need to reapply. What most people don’t realize, however, is that winter’s harsh conditions erode your sunscreen even faster. The Skin Cancer Foundation cautions that snow and strong winds wear away sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness, so during winter, you can’t just apply in the morning and assume you’re protected all day. Instead, it’s recommended that during winter you reapply every two hours, and immediately after sweating.
5. Winter is fair game for skin cancer
In the same way, smoking cigarettes can cause lung cancer at any time of year, so too does the sun cause skin cancer at any time. Cancer does not take a break when it’s cold, cloudy, and gray. Just because the sun isn’t at the forefront of your mind during winter, doesn’t mean it’s actually any further away. During winter, you’re still at risk of getting skin cancer, so you must protect yourself accordingly.
Author
Dr. Sheenam Sharma
Skin Specialist in Chandigarh
Dr. Sheenam's Skin | Hair & Laser Clinic
# 1 | Sector 21 A | Chandigarh
To Book an Appointment Call : +91-90416-25252