As the spread of COVID-19 has led to a subdued year-end, more people are looking for hobbies they can enjoy on their own. Activities such as running in open outdoor spaces, hiking, and car camping continue to be popular even in cold weather.

In particular, running — which can be enjoyed easily anytime and anywhere — has recently become a popular hobby especially among younger generations. Previously, many running crews formed where groups of people would run together, but since COVID-19, more people have taken to running alone.

When running in winter, there are many health-related factors to keep in mind, such as maintaining body temperature and avoiding sudden temperature changes. Equally important is sun protection. People tend to be less mindful of UV protection in winter, but UV rays are present in consistent amounts regardless of the season, so protection should be maintained throughout the year.

UV rays are classified into UVA, UVB, and UVC based on wavelength. Of these, UVC is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer. The UV rays that affect the skin are UVA and UVB. UVB is heavily present in direct sunlight and, with prolonged exposure, can cause erythema (redness) or burns on the skin. It is UVB that causes sunburn during the height of summer.

UVA has a relatively longer wavelength, allowing it to penetrate into the dermis, where it destroys collagen fibers and causes skin aging. It also acts on the lipid layer of the skin's epidermis, weakening the skin barrier. When exposed to UVA, the skin produces melanin pigment as a defense mechanism to protect itself — and this is how pigmentation conditions such as melasma develop.

To prevent pigmentation conditions such as melasma and dark spots caused by UV rays, thorough sun protection is the best approach. For this, it is essential to develop the habit of always applying sunscreen when going outdoors.

For those who spend most of their time indoors, a sunscreen of around 'SPF 10, PA+' is appropriate. For everyday use that includes simple outdoor activities such as going out, 'SPF 10–30, PA++' is sufficient. For extended outdoor activities such as exercise, it is advisable to use a product with 'SPF 50, PA+++'.

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However, sunscreen only has a preventive effect and is difficult to improve melasma and dark spots that have already formed. In such cases, it may be beneficial to eliminate them through dermatological treatment. </p><p>
One effective procedure for pigmentation conditions such as melasma is 'PicoToning.' PicoToning is a treatment that intensively irradiates a powerful laser in a short period of time onto the pigment in the affected area to treat melasma. By concentrating energy only on the pigmented areas, the treatment period is shorter than conventional toning treatments, reducing damage to normal skin. </p><p>
Dr. Lee Won-shin, director of Apgujeong Wells Dermatology Clinic, stated, "PicoToning shows almost none of the hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation that used to occur with conventional pigmentation treatments," adding, "It can be effective for pigmentation conditions including melasma, dark spots, freckles, age spots, and nevus of Ota, though the duration and number of treatments vary depending on the individual's condition. Therefore, when undergoing PicoToning treatment, it is important to find a clinic with a high level of understanding of pigmentation conditions and the ability to provide personalized treatment."</p>
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