Picture this, you’re going on holiday and rushing to catch the plane, you’ve left the house in a rush and it’s a cloudy day, suddenly you pause and realise you haven’t applied your favourite Shades of Melanin sunscreen, let alone packed any. You conclude it’s not that important and you will purchase some at the airport.
With only 30 minutes to boarding your rushing again and haven’t had time to purchase your favourite sunscreen. You conclude it’s not that important and you will purchase some at the arrivals lounge when you land. You’re sitting comfortably in your window seat and relax for the 7-hour flight. Pause, at this point ask yourself, is wearing sunscreen whilst flying that important?
Yes, you should wear sunscreen on an airplane, especially if you're sitting by the window. While the airplane cabin protects you from some UV rays, the higher altitude exposes you to increased levels of UV radiation, particularly UVA rays. These rays can penetrate windows and cause skin damage, leading to premature ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer. According to cancer research 87% of melanoma is caused by sun exposure.
Pilots and flight attendants often wear sunscreen due to their prolonged exposure to these rays, but even passengers on long flights, especially during daylight hours, can benefit from sun protection. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. A minimum SPF 30 or higher SPF 50 is recommended, the higher the SPF the more likely the formula is chemical opposed to a mineral formula. The choice is entirely yours but note whatever you put on your skin is absorbed into the blood stream, which can disrupt hormones and cause other bodily problems. SPF 30 gives around 96.7% protection in comparison to SPF 50 98%.
Whatever your choice in sunscreen, stay sun smart with the following simple guidelines:
Regularly check your skin for any new marks on the skin that does not heal for changes such as size, weeping, shape and bleeding
Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before leaving the house
Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours, whilst actively in the sun
Wear comfortable breathable clothing
Re-apply sunscreen with excessive sweating or swimming
Stay hydrated
Seek regular shade
Stay out of the direct sun, especially between 10am – 2pm
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