Don’t Forget Sunscreen When You Hit the Slopes! Skin Cancer Poses a Risk Year Round, Here’s Why

“My patients ask me all the time, ‘Do I really need sunscreen every day, all year round?’ The answer is yes,” Dr. Engelman told SurvivorNet. “People think they only need sun protection when they’re in the bright, warm sunshine. But the reality is, we can get sun damage at any time throughout the year, even in the cold, wintry months. Think about when you go skiing. That’s a very high risk. Even though it’s cold, our skin should be protected.”

So, don’t forget your sunscreen when you hit the slopes! And if you’re still unconvinced of the effects of unprotected sun exposure in the winter, try to think more big picture.

“The reality is, the sun can damage us even in incidental exposure,” Dr. Engelman said. “If we’re unprotected, for even 15 minutes a day, if we think about the cumulative effects that has on our skin over a lifetime, it’s very real… The more we [wear sunscreen], the more we’re protected. The more our risk is limited.”

And to make sure you keep up with skin protection throughout the winter, Dr. Engelman recommends making a habit out of it.

“I just tell patients, ‘Make it part of your daily routine. Just like you brush your teeth, you should be reaching for sunscreen every day,'” she said.

But sun protection is only really effective if you’re doing it wisely.

Dermatologist Dr. Snehal Amin, the co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, says finding the right skin protection depends on the activities you’ll be doing.

“If you want to engage in outdoor activities, which is great for your health and is really a lot of fun, it’s important to make sure you don’t also get a sunburn,” he said. “Now if you’re like me, and you like to surf, or wind surf, or ski or anything like that, most of those activities can’t be done in 20 minutes, so you have to wear the right protection for those activities. When I go skiing, always make sure you’ve got the zinc oxide paste on your nose. When I go surfing, always make sure you have the long-sleeved surf shirt, because really you can’t apply that much sunscreen over and over again to your body.”

Understanding Skin Cancer

The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that over 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year, making it the most common cancer in the United States.

In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Engelman shared the top five things you can do to avoid skin cancer:

• Avoid sun during peak hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the tops of our heads, the tops of our ears and the delicate area around the eye.
• Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen and make sure to reapply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming.
• Have yearly skin checks (with a professional) because it's difficult to evaluate areas all over the body.
• Avoid tanning beds. There are no "good" tanning beds, and they can significantly increase your risk of melanoma.

Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer

No matter how vigilant you are about decreasing your risk for skin cancer, its important to still prioritize routine checkups with your dermatologist and always be on the lookout for any skin changes in between visits.

The Importance of Sunscreen

Many people commit to using sunscreen every day, but it's important to note that choosing the right product can be just as important as consistency.

Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends you use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply it every two hours. Your sunscreen should also be broad spectrum, says Dr. Larocca, meaning it covers both UVB and UVA rays.

Choose the Right Sunscreen and Use it Often

Dr. Amin tells SurvivorNet that while brand name is not very important,  paying attention to the ingredients and feel of the sunscreen can make a difference.

"My recommendation is really focus on the ingredients rather than the brands," Dr. Amin says. "If you like the way the brand feels on your skin, if you like the purpose of the brand for instance, sport versus daily use or daytime use versus a short burst of activity use I think those are more important factors than actual brands."

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