Winter Sun Protection: Why it’s Important & Tips for Sun Protection

Did you know that sun protection is important all year round? Many people only think about sun protection during the summertime when the sun is strongest. However, the sun’s rays can be damaging to your skin in the winter too. Snow can actually reflect sunlight and increase the risk of sun damage. So it is important to practice sun safety all year round! Sun damage can lead to sunburns, premature aging, and even skin cancer. In this blog post, we will discuss why sun protection is important for skincare during the winter and give you tips on how to protect your skin from sun damage!

Sun Protection from Food

There are several factors that can influence your body’s natural ability to protect your skin from sun damage. Diet is one of them! Foods that are high in antioxidants can help protect your skin from sun damage. Some good examples of antioxidant-rich foods include berries, dark leafy greens, and nuts. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and tomatoes, are rich in Vitamin C which is another powerful antioxidant that helps protect against UV damage and pollution. Tomatoes can be extra helpful as the lycopene they contain also helps absorb UVA and UVB radiation. Drinking green tea is also helpful as it contains polyphenol antioxidants which are also known to help prevent sun damage.

Topical Sun Protection

Another factor that can influence sun protection is topical solutions. There are many sunscreen options available on the market, and it is important to find one that best suits your needs. Sunscreen should be applied liberally and often, especially if you are going to be spending a lot of time in the sun. You can also find moisturizing creams and makeup with SPF sun protection included, which is another great way to prevent sun damage. When you know that you’ll be spending time in the sun, even in the winter, it’s important that you plan ahead and apply some type of sun protection.

UPF & Other Protective Clothing

Clothing can also help protect your skin from sun damage. Wearing sun protection clothing, such as hats and sunglasses, can help shield your skin from the sun’s rays. In recent years, clothing manufacturers have developed clothing that is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays. This clothing is manufactured with a specific type of material and in a special way that blocks approximately 98% of the sun’s damaging UV rays. You’ll find it in stores with a label that says UPF, which stands for ultraviolet protection factor. UPF clothing is typically rated UPF 50, which means that only 1/50th of the sun’s rays can penetrate the clothing which equates to 98% sun protection. UPF protection does not wash out of clothes but if the material becomes damaged, the protection can also be less effective.

As you’ve learned, sun protection is important year-round, not just in the summer. The best approach to sun protection is a holistic approach that combines a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, topical sun protection, and selecting the right clothing and accessories. If you want to avoid sunburns, keep a youthful appearance, and avoid wrinkles then it’s important you practice good sun protection habits throughout the year, even in the winter. If you feel that the sun has already caused signs of aging that you’d like to reverse, you can turn to Shawna Joaquin of Flawless Medspa to help with that. We’re always happy to answer all of your questions about how to protect yourself from harmful UV rays or how we can help reverse the signs of aging caused by sun damage, so feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!