Winter Sun Safety

Image of the sun
Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Protect yourself against UV rays all year round, not just in the summer.

Many people associate the harmful effects of the sun to UV ray exposure during the summer months. However, taking precautions in the winter is just as important. According to the Melanoma Network of Canada, a 2012 survey showed that two-thirds of Canadians don’t apply sunscreen in the winter months. No matter how cold the temperature is outside, you can still be exposed to UV rays causing potential harm to your body.

UV rays put you at risk of sunburns, eye damage, premature skin aging, and can even weaken the body’s immune system. UV rays are also the leading cause in the development of skin cancer. In the winter, snow reflects as much as 80 percent of UV rays, which is substantially higher than water or dry beach sand. Therefore it is necessary to take precautionary measures for sun exposure in the winter.

The following are some winter sun safety tips:

  • Wear sunscreen. The Melanoma Network of Canada recommends a water resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30. 
  • Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outside.
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
  • Limit the time you are outside during UV peak times – 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 
  • Cover up. Wear protective light coloured clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. This includes hats, gloves, sunglasses and scarves.

For more information visit: https://www.melanomanetwork.ca/wintersun/

Source: Melanoma Network of Canada