If you're in the car a lot, you could be exposed to the sun's harmful UV rays. Here's why you need sun protection while driving.
It's good for your skin to stay in the dark, but not when it comes to knowledge. Believe it or not, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer within their lives, so it's best to protect yourself at all costs.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself from the sun behind the wheel, and they're easier than you may think. Let's talk about some helpful tips on sun protection while driving!
Why Sun Protection Is So Important While Driving
Of course, some people are at a greater risk than others when it comes to sun damage. Your skin tone, eye color, the climate in your area, how big your car windows are, tint shade, and more will play a major role.
However, nobody is immune to the sun. Sun damage will do a lot to a person over time, including wearing out their skin, speeding up the aging process, and causing permanent eye damage. Here's what to watch out for.
Exposed Skin
If you spend a lot of time driving, especially if you do it for work, we strongly suggest protecting your exposed skin.
Your left arm, which is closer to the window, will receive more damage than your right. When given enough time, this difference will be noticeable at first glance.
Skin that spends too much time in the sun is also far more likely to develop skin cancer. Do a skin cancer self-check, talk to your dermatologist if you're concerned, and protect your skin moving forward!
Eye Health
When your eyes are exposed to too much sunlight, it will cause problems with your vision and the health of your eyes over time. Similar to having fair skin, light-colored eyes (blue, green, etc.) are more susceptible to this damage.
Safety
If the long-term health of your eyes doesn't concern you (which it should), your immediate safety is also a major concern while driving in the sun. Direct sunlight in your eyes is a major safety hazard while on the road, accounting for over 9,000 accidents every year.
Driver safety should always be the top priority while behind the wheel. If you don't have protection from the sun available to you, then you should remedy that situation immediately.
While sunglasses and glare are commonly associated with the summer, the winter is actually far more dangerous. Not only does the sun melt snow and create ice, but it reflects off the white snow, which increases the intensity.
Also, the sun is at a lower relative angle to us in the northern hemisphere, meaning that it's more likely to shine in your eyes, especially during morning and evening commutes.
How to Choose the Right Sun Protection
Now that you know why protecting yourself from the sun is so important, you probably want to know what you can do. Here are some of your best options to keep your skin and your eyes protected on the road, along with their pros and cons.
Window Tint
Now, this is one of the most obvious solutions, as it will limit the sun exposure in your vehicle, but there are two major drawbacks.
First, you can't control the tint once it's there. This means that in the middle of the night, during a rainstorm, it will still be more difficult to see out of your windows.
Second, there are widely varying laws about window tinting that you will need to know about. Every state and municipality will have different laws, and in most cases, you will need a permit.
After that, police are likely to stop your vehicle to ensure you have the permits, which they have the authority to do in many states.
However, window tinting can absorb some of the harsh sunlight. If those downsides don't bother you, then consider this as an option, but don't stop there!
Sunscreen
Of course, you can always apply sunscreen to your exposed skin, especially if you're driving long distances.
The only drawbacks of using sunscreen are having to find one that's right for your skin, carry it around, replenish it frequently, apply it every day, and smelling like sunscreen. Of course, these are small prices to pay for your long-term health and safety, but it's still not for everyone.
Sun Protective Clothes
If you don't want to smell like sunscreen in the middle of January and save the nostalgia for July, then we suggest wearing protective clothing. Even in the winter, don't be deceived.
Once our cars are heated up, we tend to start shedding layers, which exposes our skin to the sunlight, as well as the sunlight reflecting from every angle off of the snow.
For this reason, keeping a sun-protective layer on throughout the year, especially if you spend a lot of time outside or in the car, is your best defense against long-term sun damage. Sunscreen wears off in a few hours, so protecting your skin from the light is your best option.
Accessories
However, you don't need to buy a full outfit to keep yourself protected. You can also use protective sun sleeves to prevent "trucker's tan."
However, your left arm isn't the only part to worry about. You can also try a stylish and unisex blanket wrap for your neck and chest!
Sunglasses
Finally, every driver should have a pair of sunglasses in the car. It isn't for style or impromptu beach trips, it's for the safety of you and those around you.
Again, sun glare accounts for thousands of accidents every year and only damages your eyes over time. Buying a pair of sunglasses that fit you well can save your life, and all you have to do is keep them in the specially-designed holder.
Stay Healthy
Now that you know your best sun protection options and why they're so important, there's no time like the present to put these tips to use. Stay up to date with our latest sun-protection news, check out our shop, and feel free to contact us with any questions!
