Why you should wear sunscreen on flights: UV rays on planes are even more intense than on land, putting window seat passengers at risk of skin ageing and skin cancer while travelling, studies show
Whether it’s a flight attendant or a dermatologist, experts agree that travellers should wear sunscreen on flights.
Dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park recommends all travellers – regardless of whether they’re a passenger, pilot or flight attendant – lather on sunscreen before a flight.
“You should absolutely wear sunscreen on aeroplanes or keep windows shut,” Park said in a TikTok video that has over 2.7 million views, citing research that found frequent, unprotected flying puts people at risk for developing skin cancer.
Planes can expose people to damaging UV rays
In her TikTok, Park referenced a 2015 study published in Jama Dermatology that looked at the skin cancer risks for pilots and cabin crew.
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For pilots, the study found that flying in a cockpit for about an hour at around 9,100 metres (30,000ft) 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.
How to prevent sun exposure on plane flights
Prevent sun exposure by wearing sunscreen, closing the window, and wearing long sleeves.
Multiple flight attendants have said that reasons like skin cancer and ageing are why they always wear sunscreen on a flight.
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Arina Bloom agreed and said: “Up in the sky, the sun that comes through the window is very powerful, which can lead to you getting exposed to more UV light than normal. It’s important to wear and reapply sunscreen before and during the flight.”
Park also recommends that travellers sitting in the window seat consider closing the window shade.
But if the views are just too good to miss, wear long sleeves and lather on the SPF.
- In a TikTok video with millions of views, dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park recommends that flight passengers, pilots and attendants put on sunscreen or close the window blinds during flights
- An hour in the cockpit exposes pilots to UVA rays equivalent to a 20-minute tanning-bed session, while experienced flight attendants recommend hydrating sheet masks and SPF products