No matter what time of year, the sun will always be shining down on us. Most people are aware of their sun exposure when they go outside, but many do not consider the fact that we get a lot of sun exposure while we are driving in the car. All cars have sun visors that we can pull down over the windshield when the sun is in our eyes, but that only covers a fraction of our bodies from the harmful rays. If you are worried about your sun exposure while driving, read below for some tips on how to keep your skin safe.
Keep Sun Cream in Your Car
The most responsible thing to do is to apply a layer of sun cream to the exposed parts of your skin whenever you leave the house, but if you forget to apply it one day, it is good to always have an extra tube in the car. For long car rides, you may begin to feel your skin burning through the windows. At this moment, or before the burning sensation begins, grab the sun cream from your glovebox and apply it to your arms and anywhere else where the sun is hitting you.
Get Your Windows Tinted
Most cars do not automatically come with tinted windows, but if you live in an area where it is sunny most of the time, it is highly recommended that you find a local shop that will install window tinting on all of your windows. If you are on the lookout for car window tinting in Sydney, make sure to search for the highest quality.
Good window tinting not only blocks out the sun but also keeps the interior of the car cooler on really hot days. Tinted windows block out harmful UV rays, thus preventing sun damage to your skin and the skin of any passengers you may have in the car.
An added benefit of window tinting is that it offers an added layer of privacy as well. The tinting works like a two-way mirror so that even though people can’t look as well inside your car, you are still able to see perfectly well outside. Sometimes we like to just drive without anyone watching so that we can sing our favorite songs out loud or contemplate life without onlookers.
Wear Polarized Sunglasses
Some of the most sensitive skin on the body is the skin around your eyes. Because it is so thin it can easily get damaged and cause wrinkles from a young age. If you want to prevent further sun damage to your face, invest in a pair of high-quality polarized sunglasses. These types of sunglasses not only block out the sun but allow your eyes to see things more vividly, thus making the driving experience safer.
Some polarized sunglasses can cover large areas of the face depending on the style, so you can find a pair that not only covers the thin skin around the eyes but also the cheeks and the sides of your face. Even if these sunglasses are not fashionably appealing, they can be designated for car use only in order to ensure that the skin on your face is protected.
Wear a Hat
Just like the sun cream, it is good to keep a hat in the car, preferably a bucket hat or one that covers your face, ears, and neck. The hat will give an added layer of protection from the sun and even help shield sun rays from blocking your vision. A wide-brimmed hat is the best option as long as it does not block your peripheral vision. Some shops sell hats now that specifically say that they protect from UV rays, these are the best variety to buy.
Install Retractable Sunshades
Many new cars have this feature for passengers in the back seat, especially family-oriented cars that are likely to have children in the back seat. The mesh sunshades are stored at the base of the window in a compartment just behind the window compartment and they can be easily pulled up and hooked into a loop at the top of the window.
These sunshades can come in all different designs, so if you have children that you want to be protected in the backseat, you can customize the sunshades to display their favorite cartoon characters or any other interests. There are also solid color options like black, brown, and grey if you want a more aesthetically pleasing look that will match the interior of the car.
Wear Long Sleeves
On hot days, it is hard to consider wearing long sleeves, but if you want that added layer of protection it is recommended that you wear a long sleeve shirt if you plan on driving in the car for an extended period of time. If the air conditioning is on, the long sleeves may actually be a welcome addition against the cool breeze. Athletic shirts that are made out of UV-blocking material are generally lightweight and breathable, so these types of shirts are the best option. Just like hats and sun cream, you can keep an extra long-sleeve shirt in your car for days when the sun is strong.
Keep Windows Rolled Up
This step is a tough one because nothing is more pleasant than rolling the windows down on a nice, sunny day and feeling the breeze on your skin as you stick your arm out the window. Nevertheless, this kind of activity could be the reason why you keep getting sunburnt on your drives. If you want to spend a few minutes doing this, make sure that you have on a high SPF sunscreen and limit it to ten minutes maximum. If the sun is really bright, it is safer to opt out of rolling down the windows and instead cranking up the air conditioning.
No matter what we do, the sun will always be around to shine down on us, but we can make conscious efforts to protect our skin in the best way possible. This is especially true when driving, as we spend so much time in the car going from one place to another. Make sure to follow these tips in order to prevent any long-term sun damage.
