- Flight attendants and dermatologists both agree that wearing sunscreen is crucial for anyone boarding a plane.
- The sun’s rays are even stronger at higher elevations, and airplane windows do not effectively block harmful UVA rays.
- In addition to sunscreen, experts suggest wearing long sleeves and closing the airplane window.
Experts, whether they are flight attendants or dermatologists, unanimously recommend wearing sunscreen while flying.
In fact, the UV rays inside airplanes are even stronger than when you’re on the ground, as reported by The Points Guy.
Dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park, as previously reported by Insider, advises all passengers, pilots, and flight attendants to use sunscreen before boarding a flight.
“You should ABSOLUTELY wear sunscreen on airplanes or keep windows shut,” said Park in a TikTok video with over 2.7 million views, citing research that shows frequent, unprotected flying increases the risk of skin cancer.
Planes can expose people to damaging UV rays
In the TikTok video, Park mentioned a 2015 study published in “JAMA Dermatology” that examined the skin cancer risks for pilots and cabin crew.
The study revealed that airplane windows and windshields are typically made of materials that block UVB transmission but not UVA. Insider previously reported that while UVB rays cause sunburn, UVA rays are linked to skin aging. Both types of rays are linked to skin cancer.
For pilots, the study found that one hour in the cockpit at 30,000 feet exposes them to the same amount of UVA radiation as a 20-minute tanning-bed session.
These rays can also harm passengers sitting in a window seat and flight attendants who frequently fly, as reported by Insider.
Prevent sun exposure by wearing sunscreen, closing the window, and wearing long sleeves
Multiple flight attendants previously told Insider that they always wear sunscreen on flights due to concerns about skin cancer and aging.
“Having spent years battling the effects flying has had on my skin, I always give myself a mini facial on long-haul flights,” said Beth Windsor, a former flight attendant with a decade of experience. “I use an intense hydration sheet mask and under-eye gel patches, then apply moisturizer and SPF50.”
Agreeing with this, Arina Bloom said, “Up in the sky, the sun that comes through the window is very powerful, which exposes you to higher levels of UV light than normal. It’s important to wear and reapply sunscreen before and during the flight.”
Park also suggests that passengers in window seats consider closing the window shade.
But if you don’t want to miss out on the views, remember to wear long sleeves and apply SPF.
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