Will I tan in the fall and winter? Yes, with my skin color and past history as guidelines, I will tan this fall and winter if I am in the sun.
It may not be as hot in the fall and winter, but the UV rays are still around. You may not tan as quickly as you do in the summer sun, but you will tan.
The question is do you really want to tan? Sun-tanned skin is damaged skin. It may not be sunburned, and peel off, but it is damaged, nonetheless. Here is what Skin Cancer.org has to say about tan skin:
“Tanning outside or indoors can have dangerous consequences. While often associated with good health, the “glow” of a tan is the very opposite of healthy; it’s evidence of DNA injury to your skin. Tanning damages your skin cells and speeds up visible signs of aging. Worst of all, tanning can lead to skin cancer.
It’s a fact: There is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan. Tanning increases your risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Your best defense is to avoid tanning altogether.”
With this warning ringing in my ears, I will be trying to not tan this fall and winter. Having healthy skin is more important to me than a tan. Unfortunately, I have tanned many times in the past, and I can now see the damage the sun has done to my skin.
No longer does being tan appeal to me.
Can You Get Sunburned In The Fall?
Yes, you can get sunburned in the fall. While you thought you were going to tan, you may have overdone it and ended up with a sunburn.
You can get seriously sunburned in the fall. All it takes is for the sun to beam on your skin too long. In the fall, it will take a few minutes longer to tan, because of the angle of the sun to the earth’s surface. However, this does not mean you are safe to be out in the sun all day with no protection for your skin.
You can be safer in the fall depending on just sunscreen, as long as you remember to reapply regularly. I don’t plan to rely on just sunscreen, as I know myself and how I forget. This is when I will be bringing out the lightweight long sleeve shirts. Then I don’t have to remember anything!
I will continue to wear my sun blocking hats and sunglasses. When the sun is less intense, I can rely on just the UPF clothing more. That means less sunscreen and messy hands and stained clothes.
The clothing layer is much easier to wear to be out and enjoy the milder weather we have in the fall. However, I can not be careless as skin cancer starts in the fall and winter just as it does in the summer. It will be good to feel protected by my sunglasses, sun hat, and UPR loose-fitting long-sleeve shirt.
Can You Get Sunburnt In The Winter?
Yes, you can get sunburnt in the winter, before you get a tan. The sun’s rays are still strong and if you are in the sun long enough you will sunburn. Yes, while working in the yard, driving down the highway, boating, or doing anything else you might do outdoors.
There is not a safe time from the sun’s dangers. I think that we have lived so long ignoring the damage we see on others and we think that we won’t have that damage. This is just a mindset that is self-destructive. In the information time we live in, it is important to make use of the information.
The results of skin safety also have been proven as well as the dangers. We must pay attention, or we too will increase our skin cancer risks through careless exposure. Tanning in the fall and winter can be dangerous because it is harder to know what your risk factors for sunburn are.
The fall is an easy time to wear your wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and sun blocking shirt with long sleeves. These are simple things to do, and they will pay dividends for skin protection.
Can You Get Sunburnt In The Winter?
Yes, you can get severely sunburnt in the winter.
So often winter sunburn happens because you are engaged in winter sports and time really passes fast when you are having fun. Often there is snow and the sun reflects from the snow. The snow will make the sun much stronger because of the reflection.
By stronger I mean not only do you get the sun from above, but that same sun is reflected back at you, and usually catches any place we have forgotten to protect with sunscreen or sun blocking clothing.
Often you are out during the most dangerous time of day. Because it is also usually warmer during the middle of the day. So there are a number of factors figuring in the results that find you sunburnt. You have to be aware that the sun is still dangerous, even in the winter.
Fishermen from my part of central Texas are really vernable for fall and winter sunburn because of the water reflections. This is why your tackle box needs sunscreen and lip balm for skin protection during the cooler months of the year.
The mild weather makes people from this part of Texas think that the sun is less dangerous. This can be dangerous, especially as you add in the disappearing Ozone layer that no longer filters the sun before it gets to us. The protection you may have had as a youngster is no longer there.
Keeping your family and yourself safe from the sun is important, even in the fall and winter. Don’t let your guard down.
Medications and Tanning
Remember that the medications that affect the reaction of your skin to the sun in the summertime also cause reactions in the fall and winter. Click on the link to get a list. Have you added any daily medications to your agenda?
The medications are often overlooked when we plan out outside time. Medications can cause serious issues and must be considered. Again, another reason for UPF clothing, and the automatic skin protection it offers, in all seasons.
Sami’s Take On Will I Tan In Fall And Winter
While we are changing seasons, don’t think you can become careless about your skin and sun safety. We tend to think that because it isn’t as cold, we won’t sunburn. Yes, it may take longer, but it is dangerous in any season to ignore skin safety when in the sun.
Have you made changes to how you protect your skin in the summer? Are those changes following through to the cooler seasons of the year?
Sunburn is not limited to hot weather. It can happen even in the winter. Becoming aware of the sun’s dangers and what you can do about protection is important for your skin safety.
Many fall and winter fun in the sun days have been ruined by too much sun. Don’t forget the basics of skin protection. Sitting out in the sun very long can prove disastrous. Finding shade is important in the fall and winter just as it is in the spring and summer.
Don’t let the sun cause you to have skin cancer. Protect yourself, in any season.
What are you doing to protect yourself from the sun? Have you added some safe sun practices? Have a sun safety tip to share? Please use the comment below and share your questions and ideas. We are all learning. Thank you,
Sami