Five Ultimate Skin Savers

Focused on Health - December 2009

By Lam Le

It’s a beautiful world out there, and exploring the outdoors is a great way to find pleasure in physical activity. No matter what time of year, however, wearing sunscreen is a must to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

“Cold weather is misleading,” says Susan Chon, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology at M. D. Anderson. “People can still get sunburned during the winter, even though it feels much cooler. Sun protection needs to be consistent throughout the year.”

The added benefit of wearing sunscreen year-round is that sunscreen will keep you from developing premature wrinkles and other signs of aging. Protect yourself against skin cancer with these preventive actions.

Slather on the sunscreen. M. D. Anderson recommends using sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher to protect against UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays penetrate the top layers of the skin to cause sunburn. Think B for burn. UVA rays penetrate the lower layers of the skin to cause aging. Think A for aging. High doses of both can put you at risk for skin cancer.
Select an effective sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in the list of ingredients. These are mineral particles and tend to cause less irritation. All sunscreens protect against UVB rays, but only “broad spectrum” sunscreens protect from both UVB and UVA rays. A water or sweat proof “broad spectrum” sunscreen is recommended for optimal winter skin protection.
Don’t hold back on the squirt. Apply about one ounce, or a palmful of sunscreen, to your arms, legs, face and neck. You should apply it 30 minutes before your outdoor adventure. Also, reapply every two hours to ensure full protection the entire day. When using sunscreen, it’s okay to be generous with your portions.
Wear shades for eye protection. Your eyes are constantly exposed to invisible UV rays whether it’s cloudy or sunny outside. In the same way that UV rays damage the skin, they also damage the lens and retina of the eyes. A good pair of sunglasses will protect you from direct sunlight, especially when participating in outdoor activities.
Build a great hat collection. Hats aren’t just a great way to accessorize a sundress. Hats are a good complement to winter wear as well and provide more protection than using sunscreen alone. Look for wool hats with a brim to keep you warm, sun-safe and stylish.

By making these sun-smart decisions, you can prevent sunburn now and skin cancer later.