Yes, Car Window Tinting Can Help Protect From Skin Cancer

Everybody knows wearing sunscreen can reduce the risk for skin cancer, but does the same rule apply to car window tinting? The answer is yes! Car window tinting can help protect from skin cancer. Why? Because limiting exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) reduces skin cancer risk. And one of the great benefits of car window tinting is its ability to filter UV light. Allow us to explain.

Everyone is at risk for skin cancer

The Center for Disease Control reports skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In fact, most estimates suggest one out of every five Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. While skin type, age, and lifestyle may increase the risk for certain individuals, skin cancer should a concern for everyone, especially those who live in very sunny climates, such as San Diego. That’s because sunlight — more precisely the UV light in sunlight — is a major risk factor.

UV exposure increases cancer risk

Exposure to ultraviolet light increases the risk of every type of skin cancer, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Even if you’ve only had one sunburn in your life, that sunburn doubled the risk you could get melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Prolonged exposure only increases that risk, which is why risk rises until the age of 70. That’s why the AAD recommends using sunscreen of 30spf or higher during outdoor activities. It also recommends seeking out the shade and wearing sun protective clothing. Staying in your car could qualify as shade, if it weren’t for all the windows.

UVA rays pass through untreated windows

There are two kinds of UV light. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most sunburns are caused by shorter wavelength UVB rays, which do not pass through windows. However, UVA light rays have longer wavelengths, allowing them to pass through untreated windows. Long term exposure to UVA rays causes wrinkles and other signs of aging. It also raises the risk of skin cancer. While car windshields are usually treated to filter UVA rays, side and rear windows usually come out of the factory blocking about a third of UVA light. That means, even with the windows rolled up, you may be exposed to constant UVA light as you drive around San Diego.

Car Window Tinting Blocks UV Rays

But that’s only true of untreated car windows. Car window tinting is best known for filtering out visible light — in other words, tinting the windows dark. But car window tint blocks up to 99-percent of UV rays, including UVA rays. That means every minute you spend driving around in a car with car window tinting installed, you may be reducing more than 60-percent of that risky UV light, significantly reducing the long term risk of skin cancer.

For UV Protection in San Diego, contact Car Audio City

It’s that easy to reduce your risk for skin cancer. In San Diego, Car Audio City has years of experience tinting car windows. Contact us today at (619) 474-8551 to see about reducing your exposure to ultraviolet light.

References:

• https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/index.htm

• https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-cancer

• https://www.skincancer.org/blog/surprising-danger-planes-trains-automobiles/