Fact and Fiction About All That Sun Damage

It’s time to talk about sun damage. Whether you’re someone who eagerly soaks up that summer tan, or you like to bask in the shade and limit your sun exposure, there are facts and fictions about what causes sun damage and how you can treat it. Here to shed some much-needed light on the truths about sun exposure is Dr. Matthew Kienstra, MD, FACS.

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Fiction: You’re less likely to get sunburned during the winter.
This is both true and false. Yes, the sun is further from the earth during the winter, which means the UV light is less intense, but you can still get sunburned. “The reflections off the snow always seem to get people,” Kienstra says.

Fact: Your face and arms are highly susceptible locations for skin cancer.
According to Kienstra, those two spots are the most common places to find skin cancer, but the third spot might surprise you—your scalp. “It’s really common for people with thin hair or who are bald to develop skin cancer on their scalp,” he says. For that reason, don’t forget to wear a hat.

Fiction: You need to be in the sun in order to get vitamin D.
“That’s total nonsense,” according to Kienstra. “If you eat a healthy diet, you’ll get more than enough vitamin D.” Where sunlight really helps, he says, is improving your mood.

Fact: You should wear sunscreen even if you’re not going outside.
Even if you don’t head outdoors, you’re still at risk of UV light. That’s because those harmful rays can penetrate windows in your home and car. “We see lots of evidence of this just by looking at the rate of skin cancers that develop on the left side of people’s faces,” Kienstra says. “If you spend a lot of time in your car, you’ll see more sun damage and aging on that side of your face.”

Fiction: There’s no great way to treat sun damage.
While options are limited when it comes to removing signs of sun damage, there are still options. One that Kienstra often turns to is called BBL or broad band light therapy. Instead of removing the outer layer of skin like other laser treatments, the Forever Young Broadband Light or BBL targets red and brown pigment that occurs as a result of sun exposure. This form of treatment can also be used on larger areas like your shoulders, back, arms and legs.

Fact: The sun can damage your eyes.
Most people know the importance of wearing sunscreen, but Kienstra says they don’t often think about protecting their eyes. “Sun exposure can cause cataracts,” Kienstra says, “which is why you should always wear sunglasses when you’re outdoors.”