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Whenever summer comes around, most families have two things in mind. First, get out there and have some fun. Second, maybe slap on some sunscreen before they go out, especially if they’re prone to burning. 

However, that second point is a lot more important than it might seem at first. Also, many people don’t apply sunscreen half as often as they should, even though many dermatologists recommend applying it every two hours at least, and that’s even if it hasn’t been immediately washed off in the pool. If you’re going out for the day, it’s best to make a list of necessary supplies and to include sunscreen on that list. That way, you won’t forget it. 

But why is it so important that we regularly make sure that our skin is protected from the sun?

Of course, the UV radiation from the sun isn’t all bad. It’s one of the primary ways that our body produces vitamin D, which is vitally important for our health. Not only is vitamin D good for our bones, but it’s beneficial to our mood and to our immune system. The sunlight also has other potential health benefits. 

However, excessive exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and causes sunburn. Every skin type can be affected in these ways, but some skin is more vulnerable than others, particularly to sunburn. Unfortunately, there aren’t any definitive recommendations for a safe level of sun exposure, so it’s up to each family to be cautious yet reasonable. 

While people think of sunburn as being irritating, embarrassing, and sometimes painful, it can actually be more serious than you may realize. A minor burn isn’t something to be too worried about, although you should get out of the sun quickly. However, second or, very rarely, third-degree burns can present as a result of too much sun exposure. These burns mean that the deeper layers of the skin have been damaged, which requires medical attention. These are more likely to occur if you’ve drifted off to sleep in the sun. The immediate effects of sunburn are obvious, but the long-term effects can sneak up on you. 

Skin cancer is a danger that most people think about, and they may also consider premature aging. However, another condition that has been linked to sun damage is rosacea. This is a condition that presents as blotchy facial flushing on the face and typically affects middle-aged people. You can use a rosacea treatment to help, but lessening risk factors, like sun exposure, before it develops is ideal.

Now, people can be very aware of the need to protect their skin during the summer but are perhaps less concerned throughout the rest of the year. This is because they’re more aware of the sun when it’s obviously beating down on them, but the sun is still there in the other seasons. Yes, it might be cold on that crisp December day, but it’s still sunny. 

You probably don’t have to be as disciplined with the sunscreen, because you tend to spend less time outside when it’s cold and you’re almost certainly more covered up. However, it’s still something to be aware of, because sunburn and other sunlight-related conditions can still affect you even when it’s chilly out.

*THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE POST*