Most people assume they are at the greatest risk for skin cancer during the summer months when more skin is exposed to direct sunlight, and while that’s true, that doesn’t mean you’re immune during the winter months. Your shoulders and arms will likely be covered up if you’re outdoors, especially if you live in Minnesota, but your face and neck usually go uncovered, and these a prime locations for skin cancers to develop. Here’s a look at five ways to protect against skin cancer during the cold winter months.

Swap Out Moisture Creams For Sunscreens

A lot of people suffer from dry skin during the winter months because the air has less moisture in it, and some people rely on moisturizing creams to keep their skin from drying out. Oftentimes sunscreen can help moisturize the skin, and it has the added benefits of sunlight protection. SPF 15 works great in place of many creams, and oftentimes it’s cheaper!

Protect Your Nose

More than 30 percent of all facial basal cell carcinomas occur on the nose, making it the most frequent site for skin cancers of the head and neck. Don’t forget to throw a little sunscreen on your nose if you’re going to be outside sledding or ice skating, or invest in a face shield that covers your cheeks, nose and mouth. Not only will it help you stay warm, but it will protect you from direct sunlight.

Invest in a Hat

This should be common knowledge for any Minnesotans who have endured the long, cold winters, but a hat does more than just keeping your head and ears warm. A dark, dense hat will absorb harmful UV-rays and protect against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Patients with melanomas of the head and neck are almost twice as likely to die from the cancer as patients with melanomas in other areas, so keep these areas protected!

Lip Protection

0.6 percent of all cancers in the US involve the lips, which may seem like a small number, but that’s a pretty big number considering the small size of your lips. Excessive exposure to sunlight can leave the lips susceptible to squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common type of skin cancer. Protect your lips from sun damage and from chapping or peeling by investing in a chapstick with built-in SPF.

Stock Up on Shades

The theme of this blog is facial protection, and that includes your eyes. Your eyes are small targets, but skin cancer of the eyelids accounts for 5-10 percent of all skin cancers. The best way to protect your eyes is with a pair on sunglasses. When purchasing sunglasses, look for a pair that blocks UVA and UVB rays, and make sure the lenses are large enough to shield your entire eye.

In conclusion, it’s important to remember that you need to protect against skin cancer even when the temperatures are below freezing. Sunscreen isn’t just for the summer, and be sure to protect your face and neck if you’re going to be in sunlight for hours on end.