Does Brisbane sun still damage your skin in winter?

Cold is not the same as safe

The damage the sun does to your skin comes from UV radiation, not heat. That distinction matters in Brisbane, because our winters are cool but our UV barely takes a break. A crisp sunny July morning at the dog park or the sideline of junior sport can still deliver a meaningful UV dose, even though it does not feel like it.

Sun protection is generally recommended whenever the UV index reaches 3 or above. In southern cities the UV index drops well below that through winter. In Brisbane it typically hovers around that level or higher even in June and July, which is why Queensland advice is to treat sun protection as a year round habit rather than a summer one.

The damage you already have does not hibernate either

Most skin cancers are the result of accumulated sun exposure over years and decades, not last weekend at the beach. A spot that is changing does not pause for winter. Melanomas and other skin cancers keep doing what they are doing regardless of the season, which is why waiting for summer to think about your skin is a habit worth breaking.

Why winter is actually a good time for a skin check

A few practical reasons:

None of these are reasons to wait for winter if you have noticed something now. A changing spot should be looked at when you notice it, whatever the season. But if you are overdue for a routine full body check and keep putting it off, the cooler months are a perfectly good time to get it done.

What to do with this information

Keep the sunscreen going year round, especially on your face, neck, ears and hands, which collect sun every single day. And if it has been more than a year since a doctor looked at your skin properly, or you have never had a full body skin check, book one. It takes 15 to 30 minutes and you do not need a referral.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about a spot, see our guide to what to look for or book an appointment with a doctor.