Few things age skin quite so much as the sun. Every unprotected minute you spend outside is adding to your apparent age. Sun damage also increases fine lines, wrinkles, spots, and other more serious conditions, such as skin cancer.  And winter is no time to slack on sun protection.  Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the sun can’t cook your skin.  According to a new study recently cited in The New York Times, scientists examining sun safety took multiple readings of UV radiation at high-altitude ski areas in western North America and found the UV index at a ski resort can potentially be as powerful as Waikiki on a bright sunny day. There can even be a lot of exposure to UV radiation on cloudy days. Skiers in the Northern Hemisphere get the highest exposure at midday, and during the late winter and early spring. In fact, there is absolutely no correlation between temperature and UV radiation, so it is vital to wear sun block every day whether it is winter, spring, summer, or fall.

Dr. Michelle Copeland’s SPF-40 Lotion Mist Sun Block is the perfect high power, lightweight sun protection. This mist is the only high SPF protection in a spray-lotion form, containing soothing aloe and antioxidants for radiant skin. For even more sun protection, the Lip Protector with SPF provides a powerful blend of antioxidants to prevent chapping, cracking and dryness. Dr. Michelle Copeland Skin Care offers a line of products to protect against future sun damage, revitalize and repair sun-damaged skin, and achieve a healthy glow without the harmful effects of rays. For more sun care products and tips on maintaining healthy skin this winter visit www.drcopelandskincare.com.

I’ve been focusing on sunscreen because it’s Skin Care Awareness month. Another factor to consider before you go out in the sun is that certain very common medicines and skin care products can increase your sensitivity to the sun and heighten your reaction to the sun. Prescription drugs, such as antibiotics or Accutane, over-the-counter pain relievers, herbal remedies such as St. John’s wort,  perfumes, exfoliating skin care products, and even some sunscreens can increase sensitivity to the sun. Pain aside, a bad sunburn or excessive sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. My SPF-40 Lotion Mist Sunblock is formulated to block UVA/UVB rays and is PABA-free with soothing aloe to reduce inflammation and is safe for children to use. Like all of our products, it is allergy-tested and fragrance free.

Wall Street Journal illustration

An article in the Wall Street Journal today discusses why we are still drawn to the sun even though the evidence of the harmful effects of sun exposure has been well known for many years. Research showing the value of Vitamin D is often used to dismiss the dangers of UV rays, but as the article points out, there are other sources of Vitamin D, and any benefits, such as fighting depression, are not tradeoffs when weighed against skin cancer.

Sunbathing is never ok.  You just can’t do it.  Still, there are people who like a little color in their skin.  Self-tanning is the only safe method for achieving a dark,deep skin tone. Remember, the fountain of youth is neither exclusive nor difficult to find; it is sitting on  your shelf.  Sun exposure, unlike  your genetic code, is controllable.   Make sure you always have sunglasses, a hat and sunblock when you go out. I always tell my patients that the only safe tan is from a bottle. Use an SPF product every day for protection and use bronzer when you want a sun-kissed glow. For best results, use AHA Body Smoothing Cream to exfoliate your skin so that the bronzer can be applied evenly (be careful not to use AHA if you are going to be out in the sun a lot.) And use Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 or my SPF-40 Lotion Mist Sunblock when you are out in the sun.  See our special offer: all SPF products are Buy One, Get One Free through May 9.