Altitude Awareness
We all know sun inflicts uv damage, also known as photo-damage, but we often don’t think about how our elevation comes into play. TLDR: UV dose rises with elevation, so your emphasis on proper skincare needs to rise with it.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for every 1,000m of altitude, UV exposure increases by 10-12%.
In the area my practice resides in, we have 18-22% more UV than sea level. Snow and ice can nearly double the exposure, and fresh snow can increase it by 70-90%. The higher the elevation, the more common facial, neck and acral melanoma is. Tumor aggressiveness markers like Breslow, ulceration and mitoses elevate.
We also have increased barrier stress. Drier, colder and windy air impairs barrier recovery by stripping/stressing the skin, meaning you are predisposed to xerosis, dermatitis and hypersensitivity.
so what do we do?
The bright side is this easily translates into the skincare routines we already have. Follow this quick list as winter approaches, to take on impaired barriers by storm!
SPF Strategy: A basic rule of thumb for spf -
SPF 15-30 for basic indoor/outdoor activity
SPF 30-50 for prolonged sun exposure and higher altitude
SPF 50+ for prolonged sun exposure involving outdoor sport
**Reapplication is key. most can reapply every 2hrs. If you are fair, use the SPF # as a guide for how often to reapply. As a very fair individual, I reapply with an SPF 50 powder brush every 5-15 min in prolonged sun.
Barrier Support: Look for occlusive or semi-occlusive moisturizers to put on top of your usual lotions. Also a great time to add more humectants and ceramides in your routine.
Post-exposure repair: Adding epidermal growth factors, exosomes and antioxidants speed wound healing, epidermal renewal and reverses photo-aging.
Always consult a qualified professional before trying a new product or changing up your routine, and make sure you keep SPF on your radar this winter.
