Mirror.co.uk: Risks of Skin Cancer in Winter

As retail shopping peaks over Christmas and New Year, Mirror.co.uk, the online edition of The Mirror, investigated the risks of skin cancer while people are out and about in winter. 

The feature is entitled:

“Christmas shoppers under threat from killer winter sun – warns skin cancer expert as he warns we are ignoring risks”

The feature is devoted to raising awareness that skin cancer is still a risk in winter – albeit that it is colder and sun exposure is naturally lower.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ founder and Medical Director, Dr Ross Perry, explains:

“…although there is a well-known link between sunburn and skin cancer, it is important to know that you can also get melanoma without getting sunburned. For most people, it is not possible to pinpoint a particular episode which caused skin cancer to occur – more the accumulation of many years of being outdoors with insufficient or no sun protection, or general over exposure to the sun which causes a buildup of damage.

“Unlike the summer months, very few people remember to put sunscreen on during the winter. This means that the skin is quite vulnerable during the winter.”

“The colder months are no time to relax when it comes to sun protection. While there may be a lot less sunbathing and outdoor living, the sun’s rays can still be getting through, even if the days are shorter and the sun is a lot weaker. It is the sun’s UVA and UVB rays which cause melanoma skin cancer, and these can still penetrate to the skin during winter. UVA/UVB rays can penetrate cloud, so even if the sun is not visible it can still be accumulating buildup of skin damage.”

The expert advice is to continue using sun protection preparations even during winter. Ross explains:

“…You may feel a bit weird putting SPF30+ on when it’s cold outside, but this will protect against skin damage. The good news is protecting the skin against the sun doesn’t only help to prevent skin cancer, but it also helps to keep the skin looking younger too, by preventing premature ageing due to sun exposure.”

Read the article in full at https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-christmas-shoppers-under-threat-11715311.

Dr Ross Perry

Dr Ross Perry regularly provides expert comment and advises the media on a range of skincare and health-related issues.

He has particular expertise in skin surgery mole removal, sun damage and melanoma; having removed thousands of moles in his career, both within the NHS and privately through Cosmedics Skin Clinics.

DR ROSS PERRY

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors.  The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.

Call 020 7386 0464 or email info@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.