Protect Yourself from the Winter Sun

Whatever activities that you did over the summer, most likely you were aware that it was important to protect yourself from sun while outdoors. Now, winter is approaching. We will turning my attention to putting away my summer items to make room for the winter ones; long sleeve shirts for short sleeve ones, corduroy pants for shorts, and boots for sandals.

Most of the sports equipment have been using is going to get put away as well. But, what about those items you have been using to protect myself from the sun? Things like my sunscreens, sunglasses, and sun protective hats and clothing. During the winter, you may be putting these items away and not using them. From the report of the National Council of Skin Cancer Prevention reported in their January 2003 newsletter that research shows only 3 percent of Americans routinely wear sunscreen during the fall months, and only 2 percent during the winter months. However, during these season, you can still get a sunburn and snow blindness. The colder temperatures do not block the UV rays and reflections off the snow and higher altitudes can make matters even worse. You may be causing yourself significant, long-term damage by not properly protecting yourself.

So, how do you protect yourself from the winter sun? Here are few simple sun safety action steps recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. First of all, you should be limit exposure to the sun during 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It is because the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Also, you can wear a hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection to your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck - areas particularly prone to overexposure to the sun. Besides that, you must wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting, and full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.

Meanwhile, you can wear sunglasses that block 99-100% of UV Radiation. This sunglasses provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. You can check the label before buying in order to ensure the right sunglasses. In addition, you should always use sunscreen. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher liberally on exposed skin. Reapply every 2 hours, or after working, swimming, playing, or exercising outdoors. Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off, sweat, or spend extended periods of time in the water. You should be avoid sunlamps and Tanning Parlors. It is because the light source from sunbeds and sunlamps damages the skin and unprotected eyes.