Air travel can cause tanning

Air travel is a part of almost everyone’s life today. Most of us find ourselves comfortably seated at 30,000 feet, but what many of us don’t know is that air travel can cause skin tanning. This has implications for mature skin that we may not be aware of.

Here is how air travelling affects your skin, as told by Divya Mehta, co-founder, Epique. a skincare brand.

UV Radiation is stronger, when closer to the sun.

At 30,000 feet above sea level, we are closer to the sun’s harmful rays. In fact, the UV levels are approximately twice that of the ground. Sun damage is the primary cause for premature ageing. Also, for every additional 3,000 feet increase in altitude, there is a 15 per cent increase in the intensity of UV radiation.

Being exposed to higher levels of UV radiation causes tanning. There are two kinds of radiations, UVA and UVB. UVB radiation damages the upper layer of the skin and prolonged exposure leads to skin burns. UVA radiations are more harmful as they penetrate deeper into the skin and lead to premature ageing.

Cabin windows don’t protect you against UVA rays

The cabin windows on an air plane can block UVB rays, but minimally filter the more harmful UVA rays. These result in tanning, spots, premature ageing and wrinkles. Studies have shown that an hour of flying with the sun beating down on you is equal to 15-20 minutes on a tanning bed.

Different landscapes have different UV reflection intensity

Think you are safe flying through cloud cover with no sun in sight, or over picturesque snowfields? Thick clouds and snow-covered areas can reflect up to 85 per cent of UV radiation. So unwittingly, you expose your skin to this harmful radiation for extended periods of time leading to irreparable skin damage. Remember to always carry a broad spectrum (UVA+UVB) with minimum SPF of 30, while travelling.