Sunscreen in the Winter?

Posted by admin on December 15, 2008 under Skin Cancer, Skin Care General, sun protection | Be the First to Comment

Why Sunscreen Shouldn’t be Packed Away with the Swimsuits

Winter is here and winter vacation plans are made. The bathing suits have been packed away, and the sweaters and ski clothes are out.

Stop!

Don’t put the sunscreen in the back of the medicine cabinet. Wintertime is still a time to protect skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

The rays of the sun reflect off the snow. It is still possible to get a sunburn – even while bundled and skiing on sunny slopes. The same rules for applying sunscreen in the summer apply to winter time as well. A broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB coverage should be used and reapplied every two to three hours on sun exposed areas.

It is recommended that 2mg of sunscreen is used per square centimeter of skin. That means that approximately 2/3 teaspoon is needed for the face and neck. And sunglasses and a hat should be worn to protect the eyes and scalp. Enjoy the slopes!