Is sunscreen necessary in the winter: Expert Advice From Dr Vania Sinovich

Only 13.5% of US adults use SPF creams as part of their daily routine. That is a big problem particularly in summer as whilst we may not show signs of burning, UV rays can penetrate the deep layers of the skin and damage it, contributing to wrinkles and increasing the risk of skin cancer. People who wear daily sunscreen are at much lower risk of skin cancer.

People who live at latitudes of 45° or higher will have minimal UV exposure during the winter months and could go without sunscreen during the winter months.

Anyone living at latitudes of 30° or lower should wear sunscreen all year. The latitude of Auckland’s 37 so it is best to wear sunscreen year round particularly for anyone with a family history of melanoma , fair skin, prior sunbed use, a history of blistering or peeling sunburns or anyone taking immunosuppressant therapy. This will not only reduce skin cancers but will also help with premature ageing. Photoaging is a cumulative effect that adds up over the decades. If you use a product which provides protection against UVA and you do this every day then by 40 you will look significantly younger than someone who didn’t do this. A recent Australian study found that Australian women age on average 10-20 years faster than their age matched US counterparts.