UV Ray Facts You Need to Know This Summer to Stay Safe

The sun is shining, and you can hear the sizzle of the burgers on the grill. It’s summertime in Michigan and you cannot wait to jump into the pool. Before you can cannonball in, your mother stops you to add another layer of sunscreen. You roll your eyes but still throw a quick layer on before you jump into the deep end. While we felt annoyed by our parents for telling us we had to put sunscreen on when all we wanted to do was play, we are thankful for the protection against the harm of the sun. As adults, we have become more aware of the reasons why our parents were so persistent that we plug our noses and spread our arms so they can lather that thick white sunscreen on us. But we live busy lives and before we know it, we are leaving the beach with a lobster red back. This July, we wanted to remind you of some important facts about why you should take care of your skin this summer.

UV Ray Facts You Might Not Know

• UVA (Ultraviolet A) rays contribute to the risk of skin cancer
• 1 in 50 Americans will develop melanoma in their lifetime
• Melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer) can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks
• Melanoma is more likely to arise on the left side of the body because of the position of the driver’s seat in vehicles

Ways to Protect from UV Rays

• Sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 can help to prevent skin cancer
• Be aware that UV rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm
• Cloud coverage does not protect from all UV rays
• Be aware of the UV Index

Check the local UV index at https://chromedomecaps.com/uv-index-today/

Don’t Forget About the Drive to the Beach!

Did you know that driving with the window down can potentially increase the risk of developing skin cancer? While most front windshields are designed to block UVA and UVB rays, the back windshield only blocks UVB. Most windshields are made of laminated glass that can block over 90 percent of UVA radiation. However, untreated side windows and sunroofs are typically made of tempered glass and shatter easily to protect you in case of a crash. This also leaves you unprotected from harmful UV rays on short trips to the lake or long road trips. Up to 50 percent of UVA radiation can penetrate this glass and reach your exposed skin. Therefore, automotive tint is a great addition to maintain the peace of mind that you and your family are safer during your drive. All three film types that we carry for automotive tinting, Ceramic, Crystalline, and Obsidian, have the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation to keep you protected from the sun. Whether you choose the lightest level (70%) or the darkest (5%), you can have peace of mind that you are driving with a certified safe film on your vehicle. I know, thinking about harmful sun exposure is just another item to add to the long list of things to take care of on the daily. The truth is that the few seconds to add a little sunscreen or to call a window film dealer to learn more information will make the difference in the long run. Most of the reputable window film dealers in the area will provide free information and estimates because you can’t put a price on safety. While SPF will protect you from the sun, call us today to protect you for the long run.

Resources:

Be safe in the sun. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun.html July is UV Safety Awareness Month. Summit Medical Group. (2019). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.summitmedical.com/blog/july-is-uv-safety-awareness-month UV safety month. UV Safety Month. (2021). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.pchc.org/news-features/july-2021/uv-safety-month.html