Slack habits: Don’t trust winter sun

With the onset of winter, health experts have warned residents against becoming complacent when it comes to protecting the skin from the sun.

Sun-caused damage remains the same regardless of the change in temperature and no matter how cloudy the sky gets.

Dr George Jacob, specialist dermatologist at Corniche Medical Centre, says he receives up to ten cases a week of actinic skin damage, which includes sunburn, liver spots and tumours – even in winter.

"Most people don't know that even though the temperatures are down and the sky is cloudy, the skin needs to be protected as it can still get damaged," said Dr Jacob.

"People assume the sun is less harmful in these months and only dangerous in the summer. They are mistaken."

He adds that it is dangerous to go unprotected no matter what the weather.

Dr Akila Kathawala, a dermatologist at Al Zahra Medical Clinic in Dubai, warns that you don't have to be on the beach on a warm sunny day to be affected by the harmful rays of the sun.

"A short trip in a car may be more harmful than many people think as the sun's UV rays can penetrate the car's glass windows," says Dr Kathawala.

Sales down:

Meanwhile, the cooler climate has caused a drop in sales of sun protection lotions.

Ali Firasate, manager of Modern Pharmacy on Bani Yas Street, said: "Sales of lotions for sun protection have gone down drastically. In fact, in the last week, we have made no sales at all."

Firasate said the pharmacy sold 50 bottles in August, compared to 15 in December and a measly one so far this month.

"The problem is people mistakenly assume that just because the temperature is down or there are clouds, the sun doesn't damage the skin; however they are wrong," he said.

Country Pharmacy on Saeedi Street in Bur Dubai also reported a decrease of up to 50 per cent in the sales of sun protection products.

Tips you can use:

• Avoid the sun during the peak hours: 11am till 4pm
• Clothing is the best protection
• Apply sun-protection lotion every 2-4 hours
• Use a lotion with an SPF of at least 15
• Keep babies away from the sun