Being Grateful For the Sun and Other Good Things

By Robin Schaffran, M.D.

It’s easy to be grateful for the sun because it makes bees happy, helps flowers bloom, and seeds sprout but it can also harm young, delicate skin even in the fall and winter months. As a pediatric dermatologist, I’ve noticed my patients generally associate sun protection with hot summer days so I often have to remind them that cold, cloudy weather does not decrease the intensity of the sun’s rays.

So when playing outside on chilly, crisp days, apply sunscreen on your little ones, just as you would in summer months, because studies prove that protecting skin from UVA and UVB rays early in life prevents skin cancers and premature aging. In fact, 80% of lifetime damage to the skin occurs before the age of 18 and it only takes one serious childhood sunburn to cause skin cancer in later years.

While there’s nothing better than a fun day of snow sports with your family, it’s also important to remember that UVA rays – the most damaging kind – are stronger at higher altitudes and snow increases their intensity too. Because the sun reflects off the snow and bounces its rays back at you, it produces an effect similar to a typical day at the beach.

And since UVA rays don’t cause sunburn, it’s easy to forget that they still penetrate the skin. Overexposure can suppress the skin’s immune response, cause DNA mutation and lead to skin cancer. UVA rays also damage collagen and elastic causing premature skin aging and can exacerbate brown spots and hyper-pigmentation. That’s another reason protecting skin from UVA rays is recommended for every member of the family.

So this holiday season while you express your attitude of gratitude, take a moment to protect your family too. Your recreation time will be that much more special because you’ll know you’re taking that extra little step to prevent sun damage. So wear sunscreen every day and don’t be shy, re-apply!
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Robin Schaffran, M.D., is a board-certified Dermatologist who has been treating parents and children in her Beverly Hills private practice for over 10 years. She is an attending staff physician at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and over the years, she has developed an expertise in caring for children's skin. She has lectured extensively on the subject of skin cancer prevention and has been quoted in publications like the "Los Angeles Times" and "U.S. News and World Report."

Dr. Schaffran created Dr. Robin for Kids All Natural Chemical-Free sunscreen in an effort to help parents and children learn about sun protection and to provide them with safe, effective and natural skin care products.