A recent study found that your car's side window may not be able to protect you from the sun's damaging effects.
Extended exposure to the harmful ultraviolet A (UV-A) rays have been linked to increased risks of developing skin cancer and cataracts.
While the car's front windshield can provide ample protection, the same cannot be said for the side windows.
"UV-A also goes through glass, making it a potential issue for those who have daily commutes or spend extended periods in the car," said skin cancer expert and dermatologist Dr. Doris Day from the Lenox Hill Hospital.
Here's what you can do to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays while cruising in your automobile.
Day suggested applying a sunscreen, which has been proven to help protect from UV damage. Sunscreen products with more than SPF 15 work well and should be applied 30 minutes before driving out.
However, UV light can still penetrate through the sunblock, so it's best to get an extra layer of protection on your car.
Car owners can also buy automobile products such as specialized window tint that can block up to 99 percent of UV rays.
An add-on window tint is a good option for owners of older car models that don't come with the built-in UV protection, shared Day.
Even on a relatively cool day, experts advised keeping the windows up to ensure that the tint is providing you added protection. The amount you save on air-conditioning might not justify the skin and eye damage you can get from exposure to the UV rays.
Eye experts said that the UV light can damage the eyes in as fast as 15 minutes. Wearing sunglasses and covering up the exposed skin on the arms can also protect you from the harmful UV rays while you drive.
In the United States, there are more than 3.3 million people treated for nonmelanoma skin cancer cases annually. It is so rampant that the U.S. Skin Cancer Foundation estimated that one in five Americans will have skin cancer.
The total number of skin cancer cases every year is more than the combined cases of colon, breast, lung and prostate cancers.
Photo: State Farm | Flickr
