GOLF & SKIN · COLUMN 08
Beware of November Sunlight That Quietly Ages Your Skin
Maekyung GOLF, November 2025 · By Jungha Kang
Clear, cool November weather makes the course especially pleasant for golfers, but it is also a season when skin protection is easily neglected. UVA, the aging component of ultraviolet radiation, still penetrates strongly in early winter, causing unseen damage from within. Consider these skin prescriptions from Dr. Jungha Kang of SEOLREIM CLINIC.
November Sunlight: A Season When Skin Protection Is Easily Neglected
A clear, cool November course feels more comfortable than at any other time. Low humidity refreshes the air; chilly mornings and evenings make us pull our collars closer, while golfers head out eagerly anticipating warm daytime sunshine. Many begin their rounds wearing only a hat, thinking, ‘No more worrying about UV.’ Yet this is precisely when vigilance slips most easily and skin is quietly damaged.
Although the UV index in early winter is lower than in midsummer, UVA—the aging rays that penetrate the dermis—varies little by season and remains at meaningful levels. Depending on latitude, time, and weather, winter UVA has been observed at approximately 60–80% of summer levels, accounting for 90–95% of total ultraviolet radiation.
Winter sunlight feels less harsh because UVB, which irritates the epidermis, decreases substantially. UVA also declines slightly, but by a smaller amount that is harder to perceive. Rather than relaxing because UV seems weaker, pay more attention to penetration depth and accumulated exposure.
Wear Sunscreen to Escape Autumn UV’s Subtle Trap
At this time of year, more golfers arrive at dermatology clinics with similar concerns. A recent female patient in her 50s said, ‘I hardly wore sunscreen all autumn, and lately dark spots have spread across my cheeks like blotches.’ She was diagnosed with post-UV pigmentation and heat-induced erythema—a typical case in which melanin affected during summer is stimulated again by autumn UV, deepening pigmentation.
Another golfer, a man in his 40s, came in saying, ‘Since autumn, my face has been red and tight, and I can see capillaries around my nose.’ It appeared to be simple dryness, but was actually early rosacea triggered by accumulated UV damage. Dry autumn winds, sunlight, outdoor drinking, and abrupt temperature changes after a round repeatedly expose skin to multiple external stresses.
Sunlight that does not sting is not necessarily harmless. November UV penetrates skin silently, deeply, and subtly. If you are planning your final round of autumn, pack sunscreen and moisturizer before your clubs. Small habits now can change the skin you see in the mirror next spring.
Dr. Seolreim’s Skin Prescription | Four Essentials for Golfers’ Skin in November
1 ‘Always Wear Sunscreen’
UVA damages collagen regardless of temperature. Apply SPF 50+, PA++++, water-resistant sunscreen thoroughly to the face, neck, ears, and backs of the hands.
2 ‘Without Reapplication, Protection Falls Short’
Apply enough sunscreen before the round and reapply every two hours or nine holes. Sweat, friction, and mask use can sharply reduce protection, so pay attention.
3 ‘An Antioxidant Routine Is Essential in Autumn’
UV-generated reactive oxygen species are major contributors to pigmentation and aging. Take antioxidant products containing vitamins C and E, and consider glutathione as an adjunct.
4 ‘No Hot Showers! Beware of Temperature Shock’
A hot shower after exposure to cold wind dilates capillaries and can trigger redness and breakouts. Wash with lukewarm water, then immediately apply soothing and moisturizing products.
Archive of the original Maekyung GOLF article · The article and prescription sections are reproduced without abridgment. Figures, cases, and product descriptions retain the wording used at publication.
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