Ultimate Guide To Winter Sun Safety Essentials

With winter among us, many are ready for a vacation to spice up their life. Whether you are traveling to a tropical island like Maui or hitting the slopes in Aspen, Sungrubbies has all the must-haves you need for your vacation. Even amidst the pandemic, there are many locales within driving distance for many that can bring them a sense of relaxation and calm and safe in these interesting times. We at Sungrubbies have compiled a list of items that can make your next Winter Getaway successful, whether you are going to a warm or cold destination.

Cold Winter Getaway Essentials

So you've decided to maximize all of winter and are traveling somewhere cold, what do you need to know?

Whether you are going on a trip to Aspen to hit the slopes or just nuzzling up in your cabin close to a fire, the sun is still within reach.

What to know about UV Rays:

UV rays are less damaging in the wintertime, but at higher altitudes, they still pose a great risk. If your destination is on a mountain, the altitude is higher. Higher altitude means increased risk of sun-induced skin damage, since UV radiation exposure increases 4 to 5 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level. At an altitude of 9,000 to 10,000 feet, UV radiation may be 35 to 45 percent more intense than at sea level, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Reflective surfaces such as snow or ice can also cause skin damage. Snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light, so the rays hit you twice, further increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.

UVA rays can also penetrate through the glass, so if you are inside, it is still important to take precautionary measures like wearing sunscreen or protective clothes.

So what can you do to protect yourself?

Protective clothes are always important, and in the winter it is easy to bundle up. But your neck, head, and hands tend to be forgotten.

A wide-brimmed hat (like our Ribbon Braid hat) can protect your face and head. While it is still important to remember to lather your face in sunscreen, a hat can be helpful to offer extra protection. It also offers extra warmth by keeping the top of your head warm!

Sun gloves can protect your hands from the cold and the sun. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, sun gloves can protect your hands from harmful UVA and UVB rays. (More about sun gloves can be found here). We find that many customers layer up their gloves, and sun gloves are usually thin enough to fit under warmer, knit gloves, that may allow sun rays to shine through.

A neck gaiter can also help for sun protection and to hide from the cold. The neck is commonly forgotten when applying sunscreen to the face and body. With a neck shield, your neck will always be protected from the sun's harmful rays, as well as the cold's painful wind. Like sun gloves, neck gaiters are a great option to layer with, keeping them at the layer closest to your skin. Because of their relatively thin fabric you can layer warmer materials like wool/cashmere on top (that generally aren’t sun protective) but rest assured you have protected your vulnerable skin beneath.

A sun umbrella can also protect you during much-needed walks. When you're stuck inside from a snow in, a walk outside is needed to keep our sanity. Sun umbrellas are especially helpful in the winter to prevent the risk of double sun exposure after reflecting off of the snow.

Skiers and outdoorsy folks, we have a solution for you too! Don't forget to grab your neck gaiter, nose protector, and sunscreen. While these protect from the cold weather, they also protect from the sun. When your nose is red, it is commonly thought that the wind is causing the redness, but it can also become red from sunburn, our nose guard can help relieve this pain.

So, whether you are outdoors or inside, Sungrubbies can help keep you safe from sun damage.

Here is a list of Sungrubbies must-haves:

1. Nose Protector
2. Sun gloves
3. Wide-brimmed hat
4. Sun gaiter
5. Sun Umbrella

Tropical Winter Getaway Essentials:

If you are choosing to go on a tropical vacation, you are like me and enjoy the year-round sun. So what do you need to know before finalizing your trip?

While the sun is not as strong during the winter, you have to keep in mind where you are traveling and if it's winter or summer there. If it's winter, the sun may not be as strong, but the rays are still penetrating your skin. If it's the summer, the sun is strong and the UVA and UVB rays are extremely strong and can cause skin damage. It is always recommended that travelers check out the UV index for their destination. You can learn more about how to understand the UV Index here.

Your skin may also have adapted to the cold weather, so sudden climate change may cause shock to your skin. Make sure to stay protected to avoid skin damage and frustrating vacation mistakes, like acne or dry irritated skin. Staying moisturized with a broad-spectrum sunscreen can help with climate shock.

What to bring on your tropical vacation:

A sun umbrella comes in handy when your skin has adapted to the cold and has not seen the sun in months. The umbrella can help block UVA and UVB rays, so you can enjoy your walk in peace.

A sun hat is not only stylish but can also offer protection from the sun. Sungrubbies hats are all tested against both UVA and UVB rays to limit the UV exposure that directly causes sun damage. Sungrubbies have a wide range of hats to choose from, whether you are going for a stylish look or a protective one, we have you covered!

Sun gloves come in handy if you are sitting inside or taking a scenic drive. The sun gloves are UVA and UVB protective to limit sun damage coming through the windows (you can learn more about car windows and sun gloves here- link to why to wear sun gloves while driving blog).

Nose guards attach to your sunglasses to protect your nose from the sun. Your nose is the first part of your face to be hit by the sun, make sure to properly protect it with sunscreen or a nose guard, or both!

Once worn primarily by golfers and sports enthusiasts, sun gaiters have recently become widespread and popular m due to the coronavirus pandemic. Protect your neck and face from the sun and viruses. With the flexibility to wear the neck shield as a neck gaiter or pull it up as a mask when around others, it's a versatile sun-protective item that provides other protective features and is easily washable to get those germs out!

Make sure to grab your Sungrubbies tropical vacation must-haves before heading off to paradise!

Other things to remember to pack:

Sunscreen Swimsuit Loose clothing Moisturizer Chapstick

From Sungrubbies to you, we hope you have a safe and fun winter vacation!

References:
Skin Cancer Foundation

inter mountain health care