As you get ready to pull out your jacket to prepare for the cooler temperatures, dermatologists remind you not to put away your sunscreen. That's because even people who are great about wearing sunscreen during the summer fail to put it on during the cooler months, which can have a huge impact on your skin and your health.
From playing in the sand to playing horseshoes, or even taking in a quick picnic, many people are enjoying one of the last warmer days in Sioux Falls.
"The weather is wonderful, especially when you're sitting in the sun," Jeanne Kangley said.
But despite the sun, Kangley, like many others, has already packed her sunscreen away with the summer months.
"I use it in the summer and spring but I totally forget to use it in the winter," Kangley said.
Dermatologist Dr. James McGrann says that decision can have serious consequences.
"In our group here, we take off approximately 3,000 skin cancers a year. And that isn't getting less; it's getting more," McGrann said.
McGrann says you should put sunscreen on every morning because you can even get skin damage while inside.
"Florescent light has UVB light in it. UVB and UVA produce the damage. Iridescent light bulbs, which are going out, the old fashioned ones, don't have it," McGrann said.
While you should still wear sunscreen as the weather gets cooler, you might need to switch up your skin care routine in other ways, including putting on more moisturizer.
McGrann recommends the CeraVe brand because it includes a moisturizer and sunscreen in one. You also might have to swap your soap for a cleanser.
"Soaps clean by stripping oils away, so my recommendation is as people get older, start thinking about not using soaps. Use a cleanser," McGrann said.
But no matter how old you are, McGrann emphasizes most of all, wear a sunscreen because even enjoying the fall weather outside for a few minutes can have an impact on unprotected skin.
As the weather cools off, more people also head inside to tanning beds. McGrann strongly discourages using them because there's been a dramatic increase in the number of young women with the most deadly form of skin cancer.
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