The days are getting shorter, and it’s time to debunk some commonly held sun myths:
The sun can’t damage my skin in the winter.
UV-A rays, the ones responsible for premature aging of the skin (brown spots, visible capillaries, fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy crêpy skin, are present throughout the year, and they are nearly as strong in the winter as they are in the summer. UV-A rays also cause skin cancer. And finally, both UV-A and UV-B rays reflect off cement and snow, intensifying their effect.
I’m inside all winter, so I don’t have to worry about sun protection.
UV-A rays penetrate ozone, clouds, and glass, so these damaging rays can reach your skin through the windows in your car, at home, and at work, even on cloudy days.
We rarely have sun during northeastern Ohio winters, so sunglasses aren’t important.
Your eyes are subject to UV damage as well as your skin. Macular Degeneration is the leading preventable cause of vision loss. Ultra-violet exposure to the eyes is considered to be one of the causes of age-related Macular Degeneration since Caucasians with light-colored eyes are significantly more likely to be affected.
What’s the answer?
Wear a zinc-based sunscreen from hairline to nipple line every single day of the year, forever. Wear sunglasses on any days that make you squint, even if you don’t see the sun.
