We all remember our parents lecturing us about sun safety. Whenever we’re out on the beach, hiking in the woods, and mowing the lawn, it’s crucial to protect yourself from UV exposure with hats, shades, and sunscreen. However, your parents probably overlooked the most problematic place where you’re subject to UV exposure: your car.

In this blog, the Nashville car window tinting professionals at Accu Tint will break down how driving leads to UV exposure and a variety of health problems. We’ll also give you some tips for limiting your UV exposure in your car so you can drive safely and avoid health complications in the future!

How it Works

All glass blocks UVB—but in most standard vehicles without automotive window tinting, UVA will penetrate rear and side windows and leave you and other passengers in your vehicle exposed to a variety of health risks. The more time you spend in your car, like on a road trip, the more immediate and long-term health risks you’ll face.

Health Risks

In the short term, being exposed to UV rays can give you a gnarly sunburn. Even an hour or two in the car on a hot summer can increase your risk of a burn that’s prominent on one side of the face, especially if you have the driver’s window open. UV exposure while driving can also lead to a corneal sunburn (essentially a sunburn on your eyes) as well as headaches and even migraines.

In the long-term, exposure to UV rays in your car can cause a variety of cosmetic issues. Those who experience great deals of UV exposure often develop more wrinkles, leathering, sagging, age spots, and even liver spots.

But there’s more to long-term risks than wrinkles. UV exposure is cumulative, and too much of it can lead to skin cancer. In fact, roughly 90 percent of skin cancers are caused by UV exposure. The connection to driving is clear—the large majority of skin cancers in the United States are discovered on the left side of the face, where drivers are often exposed to UV rays. But what about in the UK? You guessed it—Brits are experiencing higher amounts of carcinoma on the right side of the body.

How to Protect Yourself

There are plenty of ways to protect yourself from UV exposure while driving in your car, especially on long road trips. First, applying a light SPF-15 sunscreen can help you deflect UV rays and avoid burns. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses, and other protective clothing can also help you avoid UV exposure.

However, the easiest and most complete way to protect yourself is to get UV-protectant window tinting for all of your car’s windows—and that’s where Accu Tint can help. Our Nashville team provides window tinting solutions that can keep your car cooler, safer, and impervious to UV rays you can rest easy while you’re on the road. We also offer commercial window tinting, residential window tinting, and a variety of other tinting services that can make your residential or commercial space cooler and more energy efficient. Don’t wait—schedule an appointment today!