ASK A DERM: Do you need sunscreen all year around? As with most topics the answer is not black and white. Here are some factors that may help you decide where you land. 👉🏼 If you absolutely want to reduce your risk of skin cancer and skin ageing, then yes, wear sunscreen every day all year round. This risk reduction is a spectrum, and most UV damage is result of chronic exposure so skipping a day is not the end of the world (exception: blistering sunburns). 👉🏾 Another big factor is where you live in the world. The official advice from NHS England is to protect yourself from UV from March until October. This includes avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours of 11-3. The closer you live to the equator, the more stable -- and high -- UV levels are throughout the year. Keep in mind that snow is the biggest reflector of UV so it is not just about the temperature or your position in the globe. 👉🏿 Final point - BRIGHTNESS does not equal UV. UV is the portion of sunlight with a wavelength of 290–400 nm and it is not visible to the human eye. So don’t go by what you see 👁. Many phones have the UV index inbuilt or download the UV index app. If it’s over 3 def wear sunscreen! As a dermatologist I aim to minimise your risk, so I recommend every day year round but it’s totally reasonable to make a decision that suits you based on info. Happy slathering! #sunscreen #spf #uv #uva #uvb #skincare #skincaretips #skincareroutine #bblogger #bbloggers #skincareproducts #sunscreeneveryday #beautytips #wrinkles #antiaging #wrinklefree #pigment #pigmentation #dermdoctor #igskincare #skincarecommunity #ukskincare #doctor #doctorsofinstagram