Facts about Sun Damage and Driving
Damage from certain kinds of ultraviolet rays is cumulative. “UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and can silently accelerate the aging process, cause wrinkles and even skin cancer,” says Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, vice- chair of the dermatology department at St. Louis University. Unlike UVB rays which create immediate effects like blistering and burns, UVA rays create long term damage that is not immediately noticeable. “That’s why many people don’t realize their skin is getting damaged from sitting near windows in cars or even at their desks at work,” says Dr. Glaser.
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation:
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime.
Research shows that drivers in the U.S. have a higher rate of skin cancer on their left side due to exposure while driving.
UVA rays account for 90% of the sun’s most damaging rays and are present all day, every day of the year.
You can’t get sunburned in your car, but UVA rays can still reach you.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
More than 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to skin aging are caused by the sun.
