Are You Getting Enough Sun Protection?
Skin Cancer is on the rise with more than three million new cases every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States” So while soaking up a little Vitamin D might have its benefits, the harsh rays of the sun can pose a real danger.
Last year CNN exposed some common sun myths – one of which, was that a person does not even need to be in direct sunlight in order to get sunburn; it can happen within the comfort of your own home or car.
Car windows are manufactured to protect the passenger in case of an accident, but they don’t necessarily protect the occupants from the sun. While windshields provide ample protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, car manufacturers have far more leeway in how they construct a car’s remaining windows. Alarmed medical professionals examined car windows for opacity and assigned a relevant sun protection factor (SPF) rating. Windshields scored usually around 50 SPF on this test. Other windows, whose standards are far less rigorous, tended to score below 20 SPF. This protection is inadequate, researchers argue, and prolonged exposure to detrimental UV rays can have lifelong effects.
Today we are starting to see the consequences of not having sun production regulations in place. Just a few years ago, researchers at the St. Louis University School of Medicine found that in a group of 898 skin cancer patients, 53 percent of the cancers occurred on the left side. This is common with people who spend more time driving during the week and as a result have a higher chance of getting a left-side skin cancer.
There are many preventive steps one can take to help tackle this issue. Solar Gard window film for your home and auto is one of those solutions.
Solar Gard Window Tint blocks up to 99% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun that can cause skin cancer. In fact, all Solar Gard’s films are like applying a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 285 or more. Additionally, window film is designed to reject and absorb the solar energy that heats up the inside of your car, reducing the need to use your air conditioning, thus having the added benefit of improving miles per gallon.
Another interesting way of upping your skin’s ability to protect itself from the sun’s harmful rays is with your diet. Certain foods can actually aid your skin in protecting itself from the sun. Eating these foods not only assists your body in protecting itself, but they also help to repair prior damage.2 Some of these foods include: Kiwis, tomatoes, almonds, salmon, cocoa, chia seed, flax, raspberries and green tea. In addition to eating the foods mentioned above, the AAD and the Skin Cancer Foundation, recommends a number of other ways to protect your self from UV damage. 4
- Find shade whenever possible
- Wear protective clothing like a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts
- Be aware that water, sand and snow all increase your chances of sunburn because they reflect and intensify the suns rays
- Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. (Note: “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays
- Avoid tanning beds
Protecting your skin when you’re outside is important, but we must all remember that that is not the only time we are susceptible to the sun’s rays. With a few smart precautions, we can all embrace the sun again.
