If you've had skin cancer in the past, chances are you want to do everything you can to reduce your risk of getting it again. One of the biggest changes you can make is to ensure that you're reducing your exposure to UV light as much as possible. Here are three things you should keep in mind for the fall and winter's cold months of the year.

Clouds Don't Filter UV Rays

It seems like common sense that if the days are darker due to clouds that you won't be exposed to as many UV rays. Unfortunately, that's actually not the case.

Clouds don't filter much in the way of UV radiation at all. After all, clouds are simply a combination of vapor and water, which UV radiation passes through easily. This means that you need to continue taking steps to protect your skin from the sun even when it's shady outside.

UV Ratings Do Go Down

Although the clouds won't have much of an impact on the sun's rays, the time of year does have an impact.

UV rays are at their worst during the spring and summer months. During the fall and winter, you can expect UV ratings to go down somewhat. However, you should still plan on checking them daily before leaving your home to ensure that you're safe. You can do this by downloading a UV rating app, or by visiting the official weather service homepage to find out what the day's average rating is in your area.

Keep in mind, however, that snow reflects UV radiation. If there's snow on the ground in your area, it's wise to consider the UV rating to be higher than the number listed.

Focus on Sweat Protection

Finally, when you're picking products to protect yourself from the sun, try to focus on products that advertise themselves as being sweat-resistant.

The reason for this is that you may not only be out in the rain or snow, but since you'll be bundled up in the cold weather, you may end up sweating a lot, too. Standard sunscreens will come off when exposed to too much moisture, which means that you may not get full protection or will need to reapply far more often.

With adequate UV protection, you'll be safe through the colder months and won't be at as high a risk for developing a new skin cancer. Talk to your doctor or visit a dermatology clinic if you have further questions about your condition.

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