There is all the usual care to be taken on a car trip, such as the seat belt. However, there is another health hazard that many people are ignoring. The warning is left by a dermatologist.
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29/07/2026
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Sthere's a lot of care you need when you get in a car. During the condition, the belt is something you should never ignore. On the other hand, there is one more danger you must take into account. It is related to your health and can happen more during the summer months.
Mirror cites a study by the Autotrader and the British Skin Foundation that showed that most drivers do not take precautions to protect themselves against UV rays in the car. The same publication spoke to a dermatologist who left a few more warnings about this mistake that many people make during this time of year.
Skin: The risk when getting in the car
It began by saying that although some car windows block part of the radiation, many windows still miss some rays, which may prove to be a problem. “It is a common mistake to think that being inside a vehicle provides complete protection against the sun” says Zainab Laftah.
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It states that exposure to rays even for shorter periods may be related to the risk of skin cancer. “A significant amount of UVA rays can still pass through the windows of cars and vehicles, which leads to cumulative damage to the skin, such as early aging, pigmentation changes and an increased risk of cancer over time.”
He left yet another warning for people who drive a lot during this time of year. “Many drivers also underestimate the exposure time during the daily journeys, especially on longer trips or when they are stopped in traffic.”, he said.
And who do you travel to in convertible cars? The risk can be much higher. “For these drivers the risk is even greater because the face, scalp, neck, arms and hands are exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods.”
Therefore, the use of sunscreen is always important. It warns that it should be part of the travel routine as well as the verification of tyres or windscreen fluid.
Skin cancer: Myths Explained
Lifestyle ao Minuto spoke with dermatologist Maria Goreti Fourze, also Secretary General of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, to better understand some of the most common myths about this disease.
Myth 1 – If you do not have a routine outdoor activities, there is no risk of skin cancer
The explanation: Nope. The risk depends not only on spending many hours on the beach or playing outdoors. Sun exposure can be intermittent or cumulative, occurring on a daily basis, in small trips or other usual activities. In addition, there are other risk factors, such as genetic predisposition, personal or family history, immunosuppression and certain skin characteristics. It should also be remembered that much of the relevant solar damage occurs at early ages, especially up to the age of 25, although skin cancer often arises only later, often after the age of 50.
Myth 2 – People who tan easily have low risk of skin cancer
The explanation: They generally have a lower but not zero risk. The tanning capacity is related to the skin phototype, and those with higher phototypes have some increased natural protection. Still, that doesn't mean full immunity. Even people who tan easily or have darker skin can develop skin cancer and should take photoprotection measures.