Can I get sunburnt in the car?
It’s a scorching summer day and you’re road tripping in the middle of nowhere.
The aircon is on max, and the fan is blowing so strong you could be in your own music video. You’re blissfully unaware of how hot it is outside the car. In fact, you’re getting a little chilly in your singlet and shorts.
You don’t realise it, considering there’s goosebumps appearing on your bare arms, but the sun coming through the closed window can contribute to skin damage.
Here’s why sun protection is important even inside a vehicle.
What is UV?
We hear about UV radiation – commonly called UV rays – all the time, but what do they actually mean?
The sun emits three types of energy: heat energy (infrared radiation), visible light (sunlight) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Humans can feel the sun’s heat and see the sun’s light, but UV radiation is extremely stealthy.
Unlike a ferret or a bee, humans are unable to detect UV, which means you won’t realise when you’re being exposed to damaging levels.
UV is made up of a few different types of rays, with UVB and UVA being the two biggest culprits causing sunburn, skin damage and contributing to skin cancer.
UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and can cause damage to the top layers of your skin.
UVA rays on the other hand are much longer and can penetrate deeper. They can also pass through glass and cloud cover.
Can UV radiation pass through car windows?
Glass blocks the majority of shorter UVB rays, however UVA rays are a different story.
The good news is that clever people have worked out how to create glass and tints that reduce how much UVA radiation can travel through. Laminated front windscreens shield drivers from up to 98 per cent of the UVA radiation. Good – but not 100 per cent. Unfortunately, side, back and sunroof windows are either not treated at all or have a reduced UPF rating, allowing up to 79 per cent UVA to be transmitted.
This means that, with the windows closed, it’s still possible for UV radiation to travel through the glass to cause skin damage and “trucker’s arm” that can lead to skin cancer.
But there’s nothing between you and the sun if you have the windows down.
How can I protect myself in the car?
Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world. During December and January South Australia averages an extreme UV rating (11+) – the maximum on the World Health Organization’s Global Solar UV Index.
Cancer Council SA’s Programs Coordinator Liana Bellifemini says travellers should check the UV before a long car trip using a tool such as the SunSmart Global UV app.
“It’s really important that we protect our skin when the UV is three and above to reduce the risk of skin cancer – even when we’re in the car,” Liana says.
“Those who are planning to spend a long period of time in the car can significantly reduce their exposure to UV by travelling with their windows and sunroof closed, and wearing SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses and sun protective clothing while driving.”
The below tips will help you stay sun smart in the car.
- Keep a spare hat and sunglasses in the car.
- Keep a bottle of sunscreen in your backpack, handbag or nappy bag to ensure you always have some on hand. It’s not a good idea to keep sunscreen in the car as high temperatures can degrade the active ingredients.
- Install fabric side window covers for shade and extra UV protection for those in the backseat, usually children and babies.
- Invest in clear or tinted window film, and make sure it’s applied according to state/territory regulations.
- Drive with windows closed and use air-conditioning instead.
Finally, don’t forget to slip, slop, slap, slide and seek this summer to help prevent the sun damaging your skin – even when you’re in the car.