You might think that if you stay indoors, wear sunscreen, and don a big hat that you’ll be safe from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But did you realize that even indoors you can receive a lot of the wrong kind of ultraviolet light? There are two kinds of UV: UVA and UVB. UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, as outlined by SkinCancer.org. UVA rays are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass. What can you do about it, though?
Windows Don’t Block UVA Radiation
Windows do not block all ultraviolet rays when you’re indoors. And while UVB rays can harm your skin, they are not as significant in harming your skin as are UVA rays are indoors. Perry Robins, MD, President, The Skin Cancer Foundation says: “We now know that UVA radiation can penetrate windows to reach the skin, accelerating skin aging.”
Use a Broad-Spectrum SunScreen
Your sunscreen should be at least 15 SPF, and include one of these UVA-protective ingredients: avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Make sure to apply it liberally to your face, in particular. Consumer Reports has a list of the best sunscreens, and what to look for.
Apply Window Film
Window film, which can be applied to home, office and car windows, blocks almost 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. This is the best way to prevent UVA rays from reaching you indoors. After all, you don’t always want to be wearing gloves, a hat, and sunscreen inside, do you? We have lots of different kinds of decorative window film, such as:
- 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Stripes
- 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Dots
- 3M Fasara Decorative Window Film: Patterns
Have Questions?
As far as aesthetics, you may have lots of questions. We can help! By now you probably know that we are in Santa Clara, although we work all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Give us a call! We’d love to talk to you.
[…] for thieves to break in! And if you want to know how to keep your family’s skin safe, see our Dangers of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself. More about safety film […]