February 1996

Health News

Frostbite!

While the frost is nipping at your nose, the sun can still be damaging your skin - because it's not heat that causes skin cancer, but radiation. In winter, there are fewer ultraviolet B ("burning") rays, but the number of ultraviolet A (UVA) rays that reach the earth's surface remains about the same.

Snow and ice are powerful sun reflectors; higher altitudes increase your exposure to the sun's radiation.

Advice:

1. Wear sunscreen and SPF 15 lip balm.
2. Pay special attention to your nose, ears, and hands.
3. Also, wear UV-filtering goggles or sunglasses.
Source: The Skin Cancer Foundation