Now I Know: Why You Should Put on Sunscreen Before You Go On Vacation

I learned this from scrolling through TikTok, which is a bit of a surprise because I'm significantly older than the typical TikTok demo. -- Dan
 

Why You Should Put on Sunscreen Before You Go On Vacation

Right now, at least in the northern hemisphere, we're enjoying summer. But summer will yield to fall and ultimately, to winter. And some of us will get on airplanes, destined for warmer destinations. Sunlight, 80-degree temperatures, and a cool drink in your hand as you sit on the beach or next to the pool? That sounds great in February, doesn't it?

Just don't forget the sunscreen. It's important! In fact, you probably should put it on before you even get on the plane.

You won't be alone: most likely, the pilots and attendants are wearing sunscreen, too. Even if they're not going someplace warm.

The sun emits ultraviolet light that isn't visible to humans but is still definitely there, and our skin absorbs those UV rays when exposed to them. Prolonged exposure to UV rays causes sunburns and can ultimately cause skin cancer. As Live Science explains, sunscreen is our shield against this harmful sunlight. First, sunscreens typically contain "minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, act as a physical sunblock. They reflect UV rays, similar to how white paint reflects light." And second, "sunscreens often contain organic chemicals, with names such as avobenzone or oxybenzone. Instead of physically deflecting UV light, these molecules absorb UV radiation through their chemical bonds." No solution blocks all of the UV light, but this is your best bet if going to the beach.

But the beach isn't the only place you'll be exposed to UV light -- that happens virtually everywhere. And as it turns out, there are two types of UV radiation. The type that causes sunburns is called UVB, and, good news: most windows can screen that out for you, so you don't have to worry about that when indoors. Windows aren't nearly as good at screening out the other type, called UVA radiation, though. In most situations, the risk is minimal, as you're not going to have prolonged exposure to direct sunlight in your normal, day-to-day lives. But otherwise, UVA radiation is dangerous. Per Yale Scientific, UVA rays "penetrate more deeply into the skin and were once thought to only cause skin aging and wrinkling. However, recent research has confirmed that UVA rays also play a significant role in the development of skin cancer."

And if you're on an airplane -- particularly in a window seat or in the cockpit -- you're exposed to a lot of UVA radiation. As travel site The Points Guy relays,  a typical "plane’s windows [stops] about 99% of UVB rays, but only about half of UVA rays." And further, per The Points Guy, "since you’re closer to the ozone layer — almost six miles closer to be more exact — the sun’s rays are simply more powerful." That can be a bad combination, as Conde Nast Traveler explains: "A recent study in JAMA Dermatology found just one hour at 30,000 feet could expose pilots to the same amount of UV radiation as a 20-minute tanning bed session would. But as a passenger, you’re up against a smaller window and far less cumulative exposure. Still, over time, hours in the sun (yes, even by a window) add up, increasing your risk of skin cancer."

Sitting on the aisle or pulling the window shade down both help, but not as much as you may think. The Cut spoke with a pair of dermatologists who explained that the "super-strong light" from being so high up is a unique problem; the plastic shades will block some UVA radiation, but definitely not all of it, and of course, there's all the light from the passengers who don't pull their shades down. Further, the clouds outside the plane are "highly reflective of UV light. All those cute cumulus and cirrus clouds can fill the cabin with ambient ultraviolet light, regardless of where you’re sitting."

So if you're flying, do what many pilots and flight attendants do: put on sunscreen before you board your flight. If you're going somewhere warm, you'll have some anyway; if not, at least you can pretend you're off to somewhere tropical. And you'll protect yourself at the same time.



Now I Know is supported by readers like you. Please consider becoming a patron by supporting the project on Patreon. 

Click here to pledge your support. (If you do, in gratitude, you'll have an ad-free Now I Know experience going forward.)

Bonus fact: If you're playing competitive water polo outdoors, you'll definitely want to wear sunscreen -- again, the UV radiation is bad for you. But don't overdo it, or you may lose your match. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) is the international regulatory agency for the sport, and too much sunscreen can make it harder for opponents to grip one another. So, FINA  adopted a rule (5.5 in this pdf) stating that "players shall not have grease, oil or any substance on the body which might provide an advantage." An over-lotioned player may be removed from the match.

From the Archives: The Shape of Safety: Why airplanes have oval windows.
Like today's Now I Know? Share it with a friend -- just forward this email along.
And if someone forwarded this to you, consider signing up! Just click here.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward
Archives · Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 Now I Know LLC, All rights reserved.
You opted in, at http://NowIKnow.com via a contest, giveaway, or the like -- or you wouldn't get this email.

Now I Know is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Some images above via Wikipedia.

Now I Know's mailing address is:
Now I Know LLC
P.O. Box 536
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549-9998

Add us to your address book


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your email address or unsubscribe from this list

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp

Key phrases

Older messages

Now I Know: How to Feed Your Penguin

Monday, July 25, 2022

Backpack required? View this email in your browser · Missed one? Visit the Archives A few weeks ago, three people independently suggested that I write about the penguin featured in the bonus fact,

Now I Know: It's the Week in Review!

Friday, July 22, 2022

And apologies to Lamar Latrelle! View this email in your browser · Missed an issue? Click here! If you're new to Now I Know, you'll notice that today's format is different than the rest of

Now I Know: Hungry Hungry Hero Dog?

Thursday, July 21, 2022

He did it all for the tummy View this email in your browser · Missed one? Visit the Archives This story comes from an old newspaper report, so finding background on the dog was effectively impossible (

Now I Know: The Problem With Five-Cent Hot Dogs

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Happy National Hot Dog Day! View this email in your browser · Missed one? Visit the Archives Today is National Hot Dog Day, so here's a story from 2017 about -- you guessed it -- hot dogs. -- Dan

[Now I Know Offers] Take Noom Weight's Free Quiz to Kickstart Your Health Journey

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

It's a great day to start something new Hi! This is a paid email from my friends at Noom Weight. They're great and you should absolutely try their service. But if you really don't like

You Might Also Like

👀 3 small biz ideas you’ve never thought about

Thursday, March 28, 2024

These unconventional Main Street biz's will raise your eyebrows... 3 small biz ideas you've probably never thought about Hey Contrarians, 🚨 Brace for impact 🚨 Our BigDeal podcast is coming to

3-2-1: On muddy puddles and leaky ceilings, the secret to productivity, and how to spoil a great relationship

Thursday, March 28, 2024

3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question to consider this week. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

24 Hours Left: Grab Your Discounted CEX Ticket Now!

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Last call to save on your ticket - spring pricing goes away at the end of March ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Every cold outreach intro:

Thursday, March 28, 2024

I'm so impressed by what you are doing ‌ ‌ ‌ We have 4 updates for you this week: 1. On Peep's Mind Every cold outreach starts with a variation of "I'm so impressed by what you're

Here's What You Missed

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Last week, David hosted a live Q&A about all things writing and Write of Passage. Here are ten of the best questions we covered. Write of Passage logo transparent-1 The Write of Passage Bootcamp is

Do you know where your burnout is hiding?

Thursday, March 28, 2024

When “outer work” meets “inner work” ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Beard Dough

Thursday, March 28, 2024

When Russians paid the government for the right to have facial hair ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

🧙‍♂️ 6 new sponsorships opps we hunted down

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Plus secret research on Lululemon, NerdWallet, and WHOOP ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

It's Q2: Time to build

Thursday, March 28, 2024

When people ask what Copywriting Course is, I have to explain it's actually a series of courses. It's like a tote bag that comes with a bunch of items: ​ You don't become a world-class

• Email marketing for authors + posts to 100K FB Group readers + Tweets

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Reserve your date... Email Marketing for Authors by ContentMo enable images to see this "Books of the Day" Promotions for Authors and Publishers with Social Media Extras! Dates Fill Up Fast,