Do you need to wear sunscreen in fall and winter?
As the fall arrives and pumpkin spice lattes reappear, we tend to become less vigilant about sunscreen and skin safety. We all know that UV exposure is the cause of sunburns and skin damage, and the heat of the summer rays is a great reminder to cover up. But when we start to welcome those toasty autumn rays through the cooler fall air, we can no longer rely on heat as a cue to cover up. Our best guide for determining sunscreen usage is the UV index.
The UV index measures the intensity of the sun’s rays and is forecast daily. The truth is, Southwest Austin gets little relief from potentially harmful UV rays. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures the intensity of the rays by the UV index. 1-2 is the lowest risk. The EPA designates a UV index of < 2 as safe for people to go without or with little skin protection outdoors for up to one hour. Austin averages a UV index of < 2 for only 2 months during the year: December and January. Meaning, for 10 months out of the year, the UV index is > 2 and carries a warning to use sun protection if you are outdoors for an hour or more. Trends are shifting to higher UV averages each year, too.
Heat can be misleading in the fall. Even if you aren’t feeling hot like “I’m burning”, skin damage and sunburns can still occur. Autumn breezes and cooler air temperature can cool the skin without blocking damaging UV rays especially as we spend increased time outdoors in the nice weather. With more time spent on outdoor patios and football tailgates, your risk of skin damage increases without the use of sun protection.
So how can you protect yourself all year round?
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Make sunscreen part of the morning routine. Reapply every two hours and use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more for best results if you plan to be outdoors most of the day.
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Wear darker fabrics, and long sleeves. As the weather cools we naturally tend to cover more skin with heavier, darker clothing, which offers more protection against UV rays than lightweight fabrics in white and pastel colors.
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Avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
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Use skin care products with an SPF of 30 or higher. Many skin care and make-up products offer skin protection for uncovered areas of your body- namely your face and hands. Just be sure they have a SPF of 30 or more, and remember that they will need to be reapplied throughout the day as well.
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If you have children, be sure to practice these healthy skin habits with them too, especially if they are outdoors for long periods of time playing sports or on the playground. And don’t forget to reapply!
Just because it’s officially fall doesn’t mean it’s time to put the sunscreen away. Sun damage has long-term consequences so keep yourself and your loved ones protected. And, as an adult, don’t forget to ask your doctor or dermatologist once a year to do a full-body skin check. If a mole on your skin doesn’t look right, have it checked. Take care of yourself and your skin.