ultraviolet

Danger of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself — The Dangers of Indoor UV Radiation: How to Protect Yourself

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:

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.

Window Film: Seven Ways it Can Improve Your Life

You may have heard of some of the benefits of window film for your car, but there are so many other ways it can improve your life. Here are just a few benefits of window film:

Window film protects your skin

Ultraviolet rays can penetrate glass and find you. But window film reduces the sun’s short-wave, UVB rays by nearly 100%, protecting you from aging and skin cancer. Read more from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Reduces glare

When you drive at dusk, in particular, you’ll see a lot of glare. And glare can keep you from seeing the road and cause eyestrain. AAA has some good tips on driving at night and managing glare. http://dev.seniordriving.aaa.com/understanding-mind-body-changes/vision/driving-night-managing-glar

Keeps you cool

3M’s Prestige Series window films use non-metallized, multi-layer optical film and nano-technology to reject up to 97% of the sun’s infrared light and reject up to 60% of the heat coming through your windows. The non-metallized film allows you to get signals from your cell phone.

Window Film lets you watch your energy bills fade, not your furniture

Lessens fading of your furnishings

UV rays enter your windows and damage your furniture, rugs, and flooring. You could think of window film as insurance for your valuable furnishings.

Protects quick entry through window panes and glass doors

Safety film holds the glass together and makes glass more difficult to break. Sometimes that extra few seconds is all it takes to keep someone from breaking into your home or business.

Lowers cooling and heating costs

Window film keeps your home, office, or car more even in temperature. When you have window film installed, air conditioning costs go down by about 30%. And with the price of heating and cooling going up every year, we really enjoy that savings.

Provides privacy

Decorative window films easily provide privacy for conference rooms, offices, and do not sacrifice natural light. Not only that, but there are many beautiful choices that add to the aesthetic appeal of your home or office.

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