Watch out for the sun in the mountains!

Protecting your skin in the mountains

As spring approaches, temperatures rise and days get longer.

Along with longer days come sunnier days with fewer clouds. This can give you a false sense of security, as your skin can still be damaged even on a cloudy day. Of course, the biggest fear for some is developing skin cancer. We wonder about global warming. Summers are hotter and winters are also warmer. Is the earth’s ozone layer being depleted increasing the chances of ski cancer? The problem with skin cancer is that it has a very long latency period when it lies dormant within the body only to emerge many years later and result in a melanoma (cancer cell) that must be removed from the skin. If left untreated, the cancer can spread deeper into the body, where it can become life-threatening.

There are several factors that combine to damage the skin. In the long run, these influences can cause damage to the skin: sun, cold, wind and dry air. There is the reflection of the sun on the snow itself. New snow can reflect up to 90% of the sun’s rays. Even several days old snow can reflect 60% of the sun’s rays. Additionally, windy and foggy conditions can cause radiative scattering that increases UV intensity by 60% over the figures provided for a clear, windless day. There are two types of rays as you may know: UVB (Ultraviolet B) rays are the burning rays that redden the skin and cause sunburn. UVA (Ultraviolet A) rays are the ones that tan the most but they are also the ones that most damage the deeper layers. One of the problems with being in a cooler environment is that we don’t feel the sun as much as the air is so cool that we don’t think the sun is strong enough to burn us. But it is.

UV radiation increases by 10% for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained. So at 9,000 feet, the general altitude of most ski areas in Colorado, you get 90% more ultraviolet radiation than at sea level. Today’s sunscreen products follow a scale called the Sun Protection Factor™ Scale that was developed in the 1960s by Franz Greiter, a Swiss-based chemist who founded the Piz Buin company. The Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that you use at least one sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. But due to the high altitude, most natural medicine specialists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 45. What does that mean? ? An SPF of 30 will allow only 1/30th of UVB rays to penetrate the skin. But keep in mind that the SPF scale only measures levels of UVB protection. UVA does not have a rating system. New products are coming out to protect our skin. Even the old Zinc Oxide lifesaver post is reformulated into a neat recipe that works just as well. Always look for products that say waterproof and sweat resistant. This is important if you exercise outside a lot. But remember, sunscreen only works if you put it on your skin in an even layer. You can’t just splash yourself! Even if you’re spraying it. Another question is: will it stay? This is a particular problem with lip balm, as one constantly drinks from a water bottle or stops for lunch and wipes one’s lips. Lip balm should be reapplied after these activities to maintain a safe level of sun protection. For dry, chapped skin from the sun and dry mountain air, use a lip balm with a high SPF of 20 or higher. SPF 50 suntan creams made for kids work great for adults, as they’re waterproof, sweat-resistant, and don’t sting the eyes.

Be sure to put sunscreen where it is most beneficial. Sunburned arms and shoulders are no fun when you’re carrying a heavy backpack! Wear long-sleeved shirts made of high-tech polyester fabrics with high SPF factors if you are very sensitive to the sun. Some like to bare their calves while backcountry skiing to cool off during spring ski excursions. Burnt calves are no fun! At the end of the day, use a moisturizing lotion on your skin and drink plenty of water. Hydration inside and out helps the ski regain its cellular integrity and helps skin heal on a micro level with increased blood flow and lipids. If you haven’t been out in the sun much this winter, use a higher sunscreen until your skin has had several days to adjust to the sun.

Tanning is the skin’s defensive system against the sun. As the pigments in the ski darken, the skin’s level of protection also increases to the tan everyone loves. Second degree burns are common among those whose skin is not conditioned by the sun. Your skin needs a few days to adjust to the sudden exposure to the high-intensity mountain sun.

Give your skin a chance. You will have healthier skin as a result!

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