The one thing you never knew you need to do on a flight
We’ve all probably got our suncream in our luggage on the plane, but it turns out we should actually be wearing it during the flight.
Dermatologists say that although the windows are small on the plane, the light coming in is very bright. Speaking to the Sun Online Travel, Dr Sweta Rai of the British Association of Dermatologists said, “Pilots are at higher risk of skin cancer and sun-induced damage as they sit in bright light.
“The windows they sit at when piloting the plane are huge and as a result they wear sunscreen as standard. But passengers on flights should take heed and do the same.
“The window next to you on a plane may be small, but you’re closer to the ozone layer on a flight by tens of thousands of feet. The sun’s rays are much more harmful at this level and we should all be wearing suncream when flying.”
Even if you are wearing suncream, Dr Rai reminds us to reapply it every two hours during the flight.
“You need to put it on so it’s covering a thin film over your body on all exposed sites an hour before you fly. You want a thin film on your face, neck, chest — whatever is exposed.
“The clothes you wear don’t always give you full sun protection.”
Many people choose to wear light or no makeup on the plane, as they assume it would not be good for their skin. But, in fact, Dr Rai suggests that it can help with sun protection.
When it comes to eye protection, Dr Rai recommends we don our sunglasses on long haul flights too, just like pilots.
And, of course, if you’re heading to sunnier climes, don’t forget to keep up the two-hourly application of suncream.
“People complain that they have burned even with suncream on,” Dr Rai explains.
“If you’re not reapplying it every two hours, this will happen. And if you’ve been in the water, you need to reapply every 40 minutes.”
Have you ever seen anyone apply suncream on a flight? Will this doctor’s advice encourage you to do so? Tell us in the comments below.