Did you know that in the United States more patients are diagnosed with skin cancer every year than all other cancers combined?  As finish out May, which is National Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness Month, we thought it would be a good time to talk about how you can protect yourself from skin cancer.

Some Important Stats . . .

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation , one in five people in the United States will develop skin cancer before they reach the age of 70.  Men are twice as likely to get skin cancer as women.   Notably, even though African-Americans, Latin-Americans, and Asian-Americans are less susceptible, skin cancer is still a serious risk to those groups.

Treating skin cancer in the U.S. costs about $8.1 billion annually.  That includes about $3.3 billion for melanoma skin cancers and $4.8 billion for non-melanoma cancers.  Also, between 1994 and 2004, diagnoses of non-melanoma skin cancers has increased by 77%.

The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.  In fact, more than 90% of skin cancer cases are caused by UV exposure.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

The best way to protect yourself, says the Skin Cancer Foundation, is to use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and staying in the shade when possible.  Yet, when it comes to skin protection, we often do not think about protecting our skin when driving in our cars.

We often forget that regular window glass does not block UV rays from coming through.  So, if you are driving for long periods, even with the window closed, you are exposed to UV rays that could be harmful.  AAA notes that Americans are largely exposed to the sun because they are traveling in their cars.  Americans spend, on average, 290 hours on the road every year.  Regular glass, and even the majority of factory glass in cars, does not typically protect against UV rays.  Also, it would be impractical to put on sunscreen every time you went for a drive.

So, auto window tinting is a phenomenal way to protect yourself from UV rays.  Indeed, window tinting and skin cancer prevention are more and more connected because window tinting is so effective in blocking UV rays.

The Two Types of UV Rays – UVA and UVB

To begin, there are two types of UV rays:  UVA and UVB.  About 90% of skin cancer cases are caused by UVA rays.  UVB rays are more rare, but very dangerous.

UVA rays typically penetrate deep into your skin and accelerate the aging process.  That means that, over time, UVA rays will result in wrinkles, age lines, and eventually skin cancer.  The damage that comes from UVA rays are not immediately noticeable but accumulate over time.

UVB rays are so harmful that they will cause immediate effects like burns or blisters.  But unlike UVA rays that have a cumulative effect, your skin can heal after being burned from UVB rays.

Blocking UV Rays in Your Car

When it comes to dangerous UVB rays, window glass normally blocks those rays.  Also, vehicle manufacturers typically treat windshields to block UVA rays.  However, the rest of the windows in your vehicle are not at all effective in blocking UVA rays.

That is when auto window tint film comes into play. Experts agree that auto window tinting is an effective way to protect yourself from skin cancer.  A quality, high-performance window tint will block up to 99% of UV rays, and therefore protect you each and every time you take a drive.

Of course, you do not need to have dark window tint to protect yourself.  The technology is such that now there is a great selection of clear window tints to choose from.  Thus, for a complete solution to skin cancer prevention when spending all of those hours in the car is auto window tint.

Now, you might think that we at Tint Tech are advocating that you get auto window tint because we are one of Calgary’s premier auto window tint shops.  However, you do not need to take our work for it.

The Skin Cancer Foundation’s first recommendation for skin cancer prevention in your vehicle is – yes, you guessed it – auto window tint.  So, you do not need to take it from us, but take the advice of the Skin Cancer Foundation.  Auto window tint is very effective in protecting you and your family from skin cancer.

Darkened windows can be an appealing look.  As noted, however, clear window tint is available if you prefer to keep your car’s look as is, rather than having your windows darkened.  Of course, for those of you who love to have a sleek, darkened window look for your ride, then getting auto window tint is a win-win.  You get great looks coupled with very practical safety for your skin by installing auto window tint.

Talk to a Tint Tech Specialist to Learn More About Auto Window Tint Options .

Given that it was just National Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness Month, it is a good time to reflect on how best to protect ourselves from skin cancer where we can.  Significantly, auto window tint is a marvelous way to protect yourself and your family from the risks of UV rays when driving.

Further, the professional experience of the technicians at Tint Tech can help you choose the right auto window tint for you.  Tint Tech, Calgary’s premier window film shop, can give you the choices you need to make an informed decision based on quality, features, and price.

Tint Tech prides itself on doing professional installations on time and at a reasonable price.  We care about our customers, and care about the end result they want for their vehicles.  That is why our specialists treat every car as if it is our own.  So, we can ensure that you get a quality installation, every time, that will last for the life of your vehicle.

We welcome you to call today to learn more at 1-403-968-8468, or be sure to fill out our online contact form.