With the howling winds and seemingly subarctic temperatures prevailing in East Lansing, sunblock might not be in the forefront of people's minds.
Although it's winter, it's still important to wear sunscreen daily, and several experts advise to prioritize skin care year-round.
"We always (tell) people to use sunscreen as a habit, as a routine," said Dr. Yuelin Xu, a Lansing-based dermatologist.
Xu said just 15 minutes in the sun can cause skin damage lasting for up to two days.
"Tanning not only causes skin cancer, it also causes skin aging," Xu said.
He added that once the sun reflects off the snow onto your skin, it becomes increasingly essential to wear sunscreen.
Even though winter came late this year, ski resorts finally received the snowfall and cold temperatures needed to open their slopes.
But before sliding into skis or buckling on the snowboard, make sure you don't forget about skin care.
Ty Damon, regional chair of the National Ski Patrol, works at Pine Knob Ski Resort in Clarkston. Damon has treated many patrons for both windburn and severe sunburn and recommends wearing sunscreen daily.
"It's the underside of the nose, the eyelids and the chin that get forgotten about when it comes to applying sunblock," Damon said. "But when those areas get burned, there is nothing more painful."
Damon said most of the people he has treated say they forget about applying sunscreen because they think they can't get burned in the winter.
"Just remember … it doesn't have to be a bright, sunny day to get skin damage," he said.
Damon recommends doing more than just using sunscreen by itself. He said in order to fully protect skin from the damages of the sun, you should cover up your face.
"Wear a bandana, a neck gator — you've got to prevent the damage before it happens," Damon said.
In addition to using sunscreen and covering skin, a daily moisturizer also is a good idea, Damon said.
He recommends using all available resources to prevent skin damage.
Joe Kornacki, an English senior, said he feels especially strongly about the frequent year-round use of sunblock because his mother has melanoma.
"I think protecting your skin is important, especially considering how much even one sunburn increases your likelihood of developing cancer," Kornacki wrote in an e-mail.
"UV protection for the eyes is similarly important."
Kornacki not only protects himself against the damages from the sun, but also advises others to cover-up and smear on the sunscreen.
"I've seen middle-aged women that look like footballs," he said. "The amount of damage that the sun can cause pretty much speaks for itself."
