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Winter Sun Warrants Sunscreen
Cold temperatures don't rule out UV rays, experts say
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter
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WEDNESDAY, Feb. 3 (HealthDay News) -- For many, winter is a time to put aside swimsuits, sandals and sunscreens.
That's OK for the first two (unless you're cruising somewhere warm). But health experts now say you shouldn't pack away the sunscreen.
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"Some people may think that protecting the skin from the sun in the winter is not as important because they are not feeling the heat as much in the winter," said Dr. April Armstrong, a Sacramento, Calif., dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine. "Oftentimes, some people get a false sense of security from the cold temperature and conclude that they are not experiencing the harmful effect of UV [ultraviolet] rays. As a result, some people may not be as diligent putting on sunscreen during the winter."
In fact, some might not apply it at all, said Dr. Arielle Kauvar, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine and a spokeswoman for the Skin Cancer Foundation.
"People should be wearing sunscreen all year-round," she said. But she suspects that no more than 20 percent of the population do so.
It's true that ultraviolet B rays -- those responsible for sunburns and skin cancer -- are not as intense during the winter months, Kauvar said. But UVA rays remain constant, contributing to skin cancer as well as skin aging, she said.
"Winter sports can be hard on the skin," Armstrong said. "Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing often leave a person exposed in the sun for long periods of time."
Exposed skin -- even if that's only on the face -- takes in UV rays from above and below: rays from the sun and the reflection off the snow.
"Often, winter sports are associated with higher elevations and reflection of ultraviolet light off the snow," said Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, an assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and a dermatologist in Washington, D.C.
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Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Last updated 2/3/2010
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SOURCES: Arielle Kauvar, M.D., clinical associate professor, dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York City; April W. Armstrong, M.D., dermatologist and assistant clinical professor, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, Calif.; Elizabeth L. Tanzi, M.D., co-director, laser surgery, Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, and assistant professor, dermatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore; New Zealand Dermatological Society (www.dermnetnz.org)
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