Board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon Michael Zumwalt talks to us about the unique skin care considerations for outdoor enthusiasts living in the Sierra.
Among the many reasons to love living in the Reno and Northern Nevada area are the year-round sunny skies and a wide array of world-class outdoor recreation opportunities available just minutes away from home. I happen to be one of the many outdoor enthusiasts who call this beautiful area home, and I am passionate about enjoying the great outdoors. As a dermatologist, I have a unique outlook about enjoying the outdoors — one that takes sun safety into consideration. Let’s start with a few helpful tips that we can all incorporate into our outdoor sports routines to help minimize our risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
Did you know that there are variations in ultraviolet light intensity?
When considering sun protection, it’s important to understand the factors that affect the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are the cause of skin cancer. The most intense UV rays occur when the sun is overhead in the sky (midday sun). When possible, schedule outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon as an easy way to minimize your UV exposure. Seasons also affect UV exposure, and when the sun is at a lower southern latitude, like during the winter season, UV intensity is lower. Now, just because it is less intense during the winter months doesn’t mean we should reduce our sun protection. Snow can greatly increase UV exposure due to its ability to reflect UV rays.
A unique consideration for anyone living at high elevation, which is applicable to those of us in mountain communities, is that we have greater UV exposure. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, UV intensity increases by 10 percent. In the Sierra Nevada, this intensity is nearly double that of areas located at sea level, making sun protection critically important to our Northern Nevada communities.
How to follow sun protection measures as an outdoor enthusiast
Some studies show that participating in outdoor sports can increase your risk for developing certain types of skin cancer. And skiers have been shown to have increased risk for developing basal cell carcinoma and are suggested to be at greater risk for melanoma. Despite this, a surprising number of people are not proactive about sun protection while skiing, especially in cloudy or overcast weather.
So let’s talk about basics that could be applied to many different outdoor sports. Start with covering up. Make hats an important and routine part of your wardrobe. When participating in outdoor sports and depending on your outdoor activity, wear broad-brimmed hats, preferably those that are ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rated. The same applies to long-sleeved tops and pants (versus shorts). There are so many UPF sports clothing options now, and with UPF 50 fabric blocking up to 98 percent of the sun’s rays, this type of clothing should be a staple in any outdoor enthusiast’s closet. Invest in broad-spectrum sunglasses, and use neck gaiters while skiing (as well as when biking, hiking, or running). Apply sunscreen the right way the first time. Most adults need a shot-glass of sunscreen for full body coverage and should reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears, and the top of your head. If you plan on being in the water for long periods of time, either wear UPF hats designed for the water (if you aren’t swimming) or wear a swim cap that will protect your scalp.
Making these sun safety practices a habit for you and your family will really help to protect your skin from skin cancer, America’s most common cancer. Not only that, but these measures can also help tremendously with reducing premature signs of photoaging.
Dr. Zumwalt sees patients at our Warren Way location in Reno, our Sparks location, and at our Carson City location. To schedule an appointment with Skin Cancer & Dermatology Institute, you can book online or call 775.324.0699.
