Protecting skin in a place built for being outside.

Ultraviolet intensity increases with elevation, and it increases again with reflection off snow, water and light-colored rock. Winter sun at altitude is not harmless, and overcast days still transmit a substantial amount of UV.

Cumulative exposure — years of ranch work, hunting, hiking, golf, ski days and time on the water — matters as much as the occasional bad sunburn.

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin, every day, reapplied every two hours outdoors
• A wide-brimmed hat, which protects the ears, nose and scalp better than any sunscreen you will remember to reapply
• UPF clothing and long sleeves for extended outdoor work or recreation
• Sunglasses with UV protection, for the eyes and the thin skin around them
• Seeking shade between late morning and mid-afternoon when practical
• No tanning beds, at any age, for any reason

Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are generally well tolerated by sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. Chemical sunscreens tend to feel lighter and are easier to wear under makeup.

The most effective sunscreen is the one you will apply consistently. If you dislike how a product feels, you will skip it — so it is worth finding one you actually like. We are glad to make specific suggestions at your visit.

• Shade, hats and rash guards do most of the work
• Mineral sunscreen is typically best tolerated on young skin
• Sunscreen is generally avoided in infants under six months; shade and clothing are preferred
• Sunburns in childhood meaningfully raise lifetime melanoma risk, so this is worth the effort

If you already have actinic keratoses or widespread sun damage, prevention includes treating the affected area — with cryotherapy, topical field therapy or other approaches — to reduce the chance of progression to squamous cell carcinoma.

Regular skin examinations remain the backbone of prevention, because finding a cancer early is the difference between a small procedure and a significant one.

This page is general education and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and it does not create a physician–patient relationship. Individual circumstances differ; please discuss your own skin with a qualified clinician. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.