With the bright sunshine and heat, it’s easy to remember to wear your sunscreen during the summer. However, even if the sun feels weaker during winter, it’s still very important for you to wear sunscreen to protect your skin. As Darrell Rigel, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at NYU suggested skin’s sun exposure is like a meter in a taxi, “the cab’s meter only goes forward; similarly the effects of the sun on your skin may occur faster or slower depending on the amount of the sun exposure you have.”
Even if it’s cloudy and you can’t see the sunshine, the sun’s rays can still penetrate through. There’s two types of UV that can effect us. In particular, UVA effects us the most during winter. UVA are rays that can penetrate through windows and clouds. While they are less intense than UVB rays, UVA rays penetrate your skin more deeply. Over time, this can also lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Because UVA rays can penetrate through windows, you should also wear sunscreen indoors. People who regularly sit near windows tend to have more wrinkles on the side exposed to the window.
One thing you shouldn’t forget, sunscreen actually has anti-aging benefits! Winter is probably one of the worst seasons for your skin, the harsh weather makes it easy for your skin to dry out. There has been many studies showing that sunscreen can prevent skin aging and if it is applied regularly, it has the ability to reverse the aging on your skin too.
Most people will knowingly reapply their sunscreen during summer when they’re out under the hot sun. Despite not sweating as much, you should also reapply your sunscreen regularly during winter as well. Snow is made of water and therefore it has the ability to erode your sunscreen. In the end, it’s never too late to start putting sunscreen on. Try a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and with both UVB and UVA protection and make sure you wear it year round.
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