Colorado is known for its high mountains, beautiful scenery, and great winter snow recreation. As high altitude equals thin air this also increases sun exposure resulting in Ultraviolet Ray (UV) levels being dangerously high. The importance of using sunscreen through all seasons is a must. Here are a few ways to decrease your exposure and additional research to back it up!
1. Apply SPF 15+ sunscreen to exposed areas on the face about 30 minutes before going into the sun to allow sunscreen to absorb and become effective
2. Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours: this is the optimal recommendation to reduce exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight for the prevention of skin cancer
3. Wear a brim: wearing a helmet with a brim or a helmet with a hat underneath that has a brim is an easy way to protect your skin from sun exposure all day long- no need to re apply!
4. Carry lip balm with you that has an SPF 15+ , this will improve sun protection on lips and avoid them chapping too
5. Wear eye protection even on cloudy days: overcast may seem to be less sunny however sun exposure remains the same. Continue wearing goggles during sports and sunglasses in between activities to keep your eyes along with the delicate skin around your eyes free of the sun’s harmful rays
Studies suggest that the compliance of wearing sunscreen during winter sports is well under the recommended amount. In a study published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, aspects of compliance were examined. Among a cohort of 4,837 adult skiers, sunscreen advice was given and results were measured. Based on the aforementioned suggestions, a low compliance rate resulted. This suggests the general skiing public perceives there susceptibility to skin cancer as low- even when provided with skin protection advice and statistics on adverse outcomes of noncompliance.
Natural Sunscreen Vs Chemical
When shopping for sunscreens be wary of your options. Sunscreens can often times contain toxic additives that are harmful to the body. Always opt for a truly natural sunscreen that does not contain parabens or pthalates.
Skin Deep provides the public with a searchable database of cosmetic products along with safety information please visit:
For more information about AAD's study please read:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193866/
