11

THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024 Page 11 The Skin Cancer Foundation shares sun protection tips for winter sports enthusiasts A s fall turns to winter, we start to experience cooler What to know about protecting your skin during colder months In addition to causing preweather and fewer sunlight hours. It can be tempting to slack off on sun protection when we feel cold, but protecting yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is imperative year-round — especially if you plan to spend time outdoors skiing, snowboarding or engaging in another coldweather sport. “Frostbite and windburn are common concerns for winter athletes, but people often don’t realize that the sun’s UV rays can be just as damaging on the slopes as they are on the beach,” says The Skin Cancer Foundation President Deborah S. Sarnoff , MD. “The science shows that it’s important to practice proper sun protection all year, even in cold or cloudy weather.” Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which lead to tanning, dark spots and wrinkles, remain constant throughout the year and can penetrate through clouds and fog. Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which are mainly responsible for sunburn, are the strongest in the summer. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin during winter, too, especially if you’re around reflective surfaces, such as snow or ice. Snow refl ects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light, so the rays hit you twice, further increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Skiers and snowboarders are at an even greater risk because these sports take place at a higher altitude, where the thinner atmosphere absorbs fewer of the sun’s rays. UV radiation exposure increases 4 to 5 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level. mature skin aging, unprotected sun exposure is also a serious risk factor for skin cancer. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86 percent of melanomas are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun, which is why it’s imperative to protect yourself no matter the season. How to protect yourself when enjoying winter sports Your first line of defense against sun damage is clothing. Covering up is easier when it’s cold. However, your face, head and neck tend to remain exposed year-round, and this is where most skin cancers occur. Skiers and snowboarders are ahead of the game when they protect their scalps with a helmet and their eyes with goggles. Almost all goggles available today are made of polycarbonate, which filters out 100 percent of UV rays. For the moments when you’re not actively flying down the slope, don’t forget your UVblocking sunglasses, which protect your eyes while also fighting snow glare, and a hat to protect your head and hairline. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher daily to all exposed skin and make sure to cover often-missed spots like the tops of your ears, around the eyes and near the hairline. Consider choosing a moisturizing sunscreen with ingredients like lanolin or glycerin to combat dry winter skin. Finally, try to avoid the peak sun hours (generally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the winter months) and seek shade when you can. Winter is approaching, but that’s no reason to let up on the sun-safe habits you practiced during the summer. Continuing sun protection efforts through the colder, cloudier months of the year reduces your risk of premature skin aging and developing the world’s most common cancer. About The Skin Cancer Foundation The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, saves and improves lives by empowering people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Learn more at skincancer.org. BBB: 8 tips for dealing with holiday pop-up shops A ttending local festivals and events is an exciting way to celebrate the holiday season. Many retailers turn to these events and set up temporary pop-up shops or booths to sell their merchandise. This gives shoppers the opportunity to browse unique holiday gifts and other merchandise in person. Each year the Better Business Bureau (BBB) receives complaints about temporary retail locations and pop-up shops. Consumers report everything from poor-quality merchandise to online purchase scams when ordering from the pop-up retailer’s website. They also report having diffi culty obtaining refunds after temporary stores have closed their doors. One consumer shared their experience shopping with a pop-up vendor at a fair: “[I saw] her booth at [fair name redacted] the last Sunday in June 2024. She was selling custom hoodies and other shirts. She did not have what I wanted so I placed an order. She promised it would be shipped. I sent several texts and nothing but excuses and she won’t return my money.” Pop-up shops can be fun, but keep the following BBB tips in mind if you choose to buy from one of them: • Ask how long a store will operate. If you are buying from a seasonal store, ask whether it will be open after the holiday and whether it will accept returns when the season is over. If not, consider buying elsewhere or taking more time to be sure the item is exactly what you want before making the purchase. • Review purchase policies. Determine the company or vendor’s refund and return policies before you buy. If pop-up shops cannot offer concrete commitments on how they will handle any potential problems you might have with their products or services, reconsider doing business with them. • Be careful when placing orders. If the pop-up shop offers to place a special order for an item you’re looking for, take extra steps to ensure it’s legitimate. Before placing the order, ask the seller for their contact information and confi rm it works. Get details on how you will receive the order and when you should expect it to arrive and ask for a receipt and/or a copy of the order confi rmation. Pay with a credit card so you have additional protection in case you never end up receiving the item. • Pay attention to quality. Occasionally, pop-ups sell counterfeit products, so be cautious when purchasing designer goods or the latest “must-have” gifts. Prices that are dramatically lower than in regular retail stores might be a red fl ag that the items are either stolen or counterfeit. • Know the terms of any product or service guarantees. If you are purchasing anything that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, ask how you will be able to get the product serviced if needed. • Guard your personal information. For small items, you might be better off paying in cash so you don’t have to share any personal information. Just be sure you understand that you probably won’t have any recourse if something is not right. For larger items, paying with a credit card can provide additional protection if there are problems and the retailer disappears. Make sure you hang on to the receipt to match it against your credit card statement. • Consider whether the gift is for a hard-to-please recipient. If you are planning a gift for someone who might need or want to return it, consider buying from a retailer with a longstanding business, strong reputation and well-established return policies, instead of a pop-up shop. Look to BBB Accredited Businesses to shop from a vetted, trusted business. When possible, ask for a gift receipt that would make a return or exchange easier, if necessary. • When shopping online, do your research fi rst. If you are interested in trying a new or unfamiliar online merchant, do your research. Ask the company for its physical location (address and phone number) so you can check its BBB Business Profi le. Check to see if the business is BBB Accredited so you know whether dealing with a trustworthy business. Online purchase scams are very common during the holidays, so if you’re unsure about a retailer, look for online reviews and search for any scams. Remember that deals that seem too good to be true are often scams. • Shop around. Pop-ups often focus on unique or high-quality gifts that you might not fi nd elsewhere, but some are simply mini versions of discount retailers, offering holidaythemed goods that might be available for less at a traditional retailer. Visit BBB’s Holiday HQ for more safe holiday shopping tips at https://www.bbb.org/ all/holiday-hq

12 Publizr Home