Just in Summer? Should You Apply Sunscreen All Year Round?

[Bongbong Plastic Surgery Clinic]

Just in summer? Sunscreen for UV protection?

Should you apply it all year round?

When the height of summer arrives and the sun beats down with intense heat, many people think of how important sunscreen is and carefully apply it before going outside. Since they know that strong sunlight can make the skin turn red or, in severe cases, cause burns, it is only natural that interest in sun protection increases during the summer.

However, once summer passes and autumn and winter arrive, many people naturally become careless about using sunscreen or stop applying it altogether. This is because they think ultraviolet rays only harm the skin in summer, when they are strongest. But in fact, UV rays threaten our skin all year long regardless of season or weather, and they are also a major cause of skin aging and pigmentation.

Therefore, sunscreen is not something that should be used only in certain seasons; it is important to apply it consistently every day. So let’s take a closer look at how UV rays affect our skin throughout the four seasons and what effective protection methods are.

How UV Rays Affect the Skin

and Seasonal Differences

Ultraviolet rays are divided by wavelength into UVA, UVB, and UVC. Among these, UVC is mostly blocked by the atmosphere and therefore does not directly affect our skin.

However, UVA and UVB are different. UVA penetrates deeply into the dermis, causing loss of elasticity and wrinkles. With long-term exposure, it accelerates skin aging and can lead to melasma and blemishes. UVB, on the other hand, affects the epidermis, causing sunburn and pigmentation, and in severe cases, it can also be a cause of skin cancer.

It is true that UV rays are strongest in summer, but that does not mean there are no UV rays in autumn or winter. One common misconception is that sun protection is unnecessary on cloudy or rainy days. However, more than 80% of UV rays still reach the earth’s surface even on cloudy days, and when the weather is overcast, people tend to let their guard down, making it more likely that they will be exposed without protection.

Also, in winter, UV rays reflected off snow can strongly affect the skin, and especially in high-altitude places such as ski resorts, UV rays become stronger, increasing the risk of skin damage.

Why Sunscreen Should Be Used

All Year Round

Sunscreen is not simply for preventing the skin from tanning. It plays an important role in slowing the skin’s aging process, preventing pigmentation such as melasma, freckles, and blemishes, and maintaining skin elasticity. In particular, after dermatologic procedures or plastic surgery, the skin becomes even more sensitive, making UV protection even more important.

Skin that has undergone laser treatment, peeling, wrinkle-improvement procedures, or similar treatments may become sensitive to the external environment, and when exposed to UV rays at this time, the risk of pigmentation or redness increases. Therefore, after a procedure, sunscreen must be applied consistently so that the skin can recover healthily.

So, what is the correct way to use sunscreen?

First, it is important to check the SPF and PA ratings. SPF indicates UVB protection, and the higher the number, the stronger the protection. In everyday life, SPF 30 to 50 is usually sufficient, but if you will be outdoors for a long time, it is better to use a product with SPF 50 or higher.

The PA rating indicates UVA protection and is labeled from PA+ to PA++++. To help prevent melasma and freckles, it is advisable to choose PA+++ or higher. Also, sunscreen is not something you apply once and forget; it should be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours to maintain continuous protection.

Practicing Consistent UV Protection

for Healthy Skin

To maintain healthy and elastic skin, it is effective not only to apply sunscreen but also to use physical protection methods such as wearing a hat or sunglasses.

Also, since UV rays can enter through windows indoors, it is advisable to use basic sunscreen even if you are not going outside. Protecting your skin from UV rays should be more than just a beauty routine; it should become a basic habit for preserving long-term skin health.

Using sunscreen consistently not only in summer but also in autumn, winter, and spring is the secret to maintaining beautiful and healthy skin. This is because it does more than simply prevent the skin from tanning; it also plays an important role in preventing skin aging and pigmentation.

If you make a habit of applying sunscreen regardless of the season from now on, you will be able to keep your skin healthy and elastic for a long time.