Studies have shown that Americans spend around 10 hours per week driving their cars. We’ll bet that fewer of them put on sunscreen before getting in their cars. The post will tell you “Can You Get Sunburned Through a Car Window” and offer useful tips.
In fact, you can’t get sunburned through a car window, but the sun’s rays can still damage your skin while you are driving. So, sun protection is key.
For more specific information, keep reading.
Can You Get Sunburned through a Car Window?
Can you get sunburned through a car window? The majority of people rarely put sunscreen on before getting into their cars. If you drive a lot, though, you might want to. Although it is true that you cannot get sunburned while driving, the sun’s rays can still harm your skin. All automobiles have front windshields with laminated glass that block both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Although tempered glass does not offer UVA protection, the back and side windows of cars are frequently made of this material. Despite the fact that UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays and do not result in sunburns, they are still known to accelerate skin aging and contribute to skin cancer.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that skin cancer patients who had spent significant time driving a car each week were more likely to develop skin cancers on the left side of their bodies and faces – the side that is more exposed to sunlight while driving. This crucial finding has been supported by additional studies. As a result, even though getting sunburned in a car (other than a convertible) is extremely unlikely, long-term skin damage can still happen if you drive frequently and don’t protect your skin.
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Sun Protection is Key
Although you probably already know that skin damage from exposure to the sun is possible, you might not be aware of how it occurs. According to the Insider, there are two different types of harmful sun rays:
- UVB rays: These rays are to blame for skin cancer, sunburns, and tanning.
- UVA rays: These rays age the skin, cause wrinkles, and even lead to skin cancer because they penetrate the skin more deeply.
Having the right sun protection is essential, as we can see. However, a lot of drivers mistakenly believe that securing themselves behind the glass and windshield of their vehicles will completely protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. But in reality, it’s not like that.
A Car Window’s Sun Protection Can Vary
When it comes to the notion of your car’s windows protecting you from the sun, there’s good news and bad news. A car’s windshield is reportedly made of laminated glass, which means that there is a layer of plastic sandwiched between two sheets of glass, according to The Insider. Approximately 96% of the sun’s UVA rays can be blocked by this special type of glass, which also completely blocks UVB rays.
The good news is that when the sun shines on you through the windshield, you’ll almost certainly avoid getting sunburned. The car’s side windows are made of tempered glass, which is bad news because it means they don’t offer the same level of safety. Tempered glass can actually block almost all UVB rays, but only about 71% of UVA rays. About 40% of the sun’s UVA rays are only partially blocked in some automobiles.
In a study published by the National Library of Medicine, the research showed that 53% of the drivers that participated in the study developed skin cancer on the left side of their face, 47% had it on their right side.
While you technically cannot get sunburned through a car window, this study shows that if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel every week, you are prone to possibly developing skin cancer at some point. However, some safety precautions can be applied.
Should You Wear Sunscreen Indoors?
Yes. As a general rule, it’s best to wear sunscreen every day—regardless of whether you’re outside or inside, at home or in a car. No matter where you are throughout the day, you are protected by doing this. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that Making daily sunscreen use a habit is your best defense against the conditions basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, which are all known to be caused by UV radiation.
Just remember to follow good sunscreen application practices, like using a sunscreen with a minimum of using SPF 30 and frequently reapplying. Being safe is always preferable when it comes to UV protection.
Can you get sunburned through a car window? FAQs
Do All Car Windows Block UV?
All types of commercial and automobile glass block the majority of UVB, but the degree of The kind of glass affects UVA transmission. While glass thickness does influence UV radiation transmission, its impact is minimal in comparison to other elements.
Can You Get Sunburnt through a Closed Car Window?
The type of glass, your position in relation to the sun, and whether the windows are open or closed will all affect how much UV light enters your car. Clear side windows block virtually all UVB but only about a third of UVA radiation.
Can You Get Sunburn through a Glass Window?
Sunburn From Windows? The good news is that while it’s possible to get a sunburn through your windows, it generally doesn’t happen quickly. However, over time, your skin may still experience harm. UVB rays and UVA rays are the two types of dangerous sun rays to be on the lookout for.
How Much UV Gets through Car Windows?
The driver’s side window may not be doing its job as well as it should be in blocking UVA and UVB radiation from the sun, even though the front windshield of your car does. A recent study found that while the front windshield blocks 94 percent of UVA rays, the driver’s side window only blocked 71 percent.
Is It Legal to Tint My Car Windows in Arizona?
s, tinting car windows is permitted in Arizona. The amount of darkness they can be, though, is limited. Here’s what you’ll need to watch out for:
- Front side windows: must allow more than 33 percent of light in
- Rear side windows: no limit
- Back window: no limit
- Windshield: you can have a non-reflective tint above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line
- Tint reflection: you can’t have your windows more than 35% reflective
If you live in Arizona, these are the rules. There are, however, exceptions for people with specific medical conditions, so it’s important to be aware of that.
Summary: Can You Get Sunburned through a Car Window?
Can you get sunburned through a car window? In fact, you can’t get sunburned through a car window, but the sun’s rays can still damage your skin while you are driving. So, sun protection is key.
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