Many people do not realize that you put your skin at risk every time you jump in the car.
As we welcome the month of May, the sun over the Tampa Bay region begins its intense summer climb. While many of us are diligent about applying sunscreen for a day at Clearwater Beach or an afternoon at the park, we often overlook one of the places where we are most vulnerable to sustained sun exposure: our vehicles.
Harmful ultraviolet rays enter a vehicle through the side and rear windows, which can cause skin damage and lead to skin cancer, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month so it’s a great time to raise the awareness level about the effective ways window film will protect you and your family from the danger of unfiltered UV.
The Hidden Danger of Automotive Glass
Most standard automotive glass (specifically side and rear windows) provides inadequate protection against UVB rays—the ones that cause immediate sunburn. They fail to block UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin, contributing to premature aging and increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Because Florida drivers spend a significant amount of time behind the wheel, the cumulative “left-side” sun exposure is a real health concern. This is why the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends window film as part of a comprehensive skin protection regimen.
The Ceramic Advantage: LLumar & FormulaOne
To address both health and the intense Florida heat, we specialize in high-performance ceramic films, specifically the LLumar and FormulaOne series. These aren’t your average “dark tints”—they are precision-engineered lifestyle upgrades.
A study by the Harvard Health Watch found that the average American spends 101 minutes per day driving. That’s 614 hours a year or an estimated 37,935 hours in a lifetime exposed to UV rays while in a car.
Adding FormulaOne LLumar SelectPro window film, sometimes called tint, to your vehicle is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to provide sun protection for you and your family. “
When applied over automotive glass, this tint’s virtually invisible protection blocks more than 99 percent of harmful UV rays*, which have been shown to contribute to aging, sagging, wrinkling and even skin cancer,” says Mark Gershenson, Director, Global LLumar® Brand Management at Eastman Chemical Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of window tint.
There are two primary types of ultraviolet rays, UVB and UVA.
UVB are the burning rays that cause immediate reactions to the skin surface like blistering and burns. UVA are the penetrating rays that cause long-term damage that’s not immediately visible.
1. Near-Total UV Protection
Both LLumar and FormulaOne ceramic films block 99.9% of harmful UV rays. This provides a protective shield equivalent to SPF 1000+ for you and your passengers, significantly reducing the risks associated with daily commuting.
UVA rays penetrate deep within the skin cells and are a known leading cause of skin cancer and premature skin aging, including wrinkles and age spots.
“Glass in car windows helps to block UVB rays,” Gershenson explains, “However, UVA rays pass through glass unfiltered and penetrate deeper into the skin that results in cumulative damage over longer periods of time.
Because you don’t see the immediate effects, many people don’t realize the risks.” These same UVA rays also cause fading and cracking of automotive interiors. UVA rays are present during all daylight hours, 365 days a year, even in cloudy weather.
In an article, “Sun Hazards in Your Car,” Susan Butler, MD, a dermatologist and micrographic surgeon at the California Institute, points to a trend in “wrinkles, leathering, sagging, brown ‘age’ spots and even skin cancers” on the left side of patient’s faces. “The more time subjects spent driving a vehicle, the more severe their photo damage on the left side.”
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends adopting a complete sun protection regimen which includes seeking shade and covering up with clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, in addition to daily sunscreen use.
The Foundation also emphasizes the importance of sun protection while driving. Using high performance window tint in a car offers all-day protection.
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime.
- Research shows that drivers in the U.S. have a higher rate of skin cancer on their left side due to exposure while driving.
- UVA rays account for 90% of the sun’s most damaging rays and are present all day, every day of the year.
- You can’t get sunburned in your car, but UVA rays can still reach you.
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
- More than 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to skin aging are caused by the sun.
While all films in the FormulaOne LLumar portfolio offer UV protection, clear and lighter transmission film appeal to those who do not want a darker window appearance.
2. Unmatched Heat Rejection
Ceramic technology is designed to filter out the infrared (IR) spectrum—the rays responsible for that “burning” sensation on your skin while driving. By choosing a ceramic film, you can reduce the interior temperature of your vehicle by several degrees, making your drive more comfortable and reducing the strain on your air conditioning system.
3. Crystal Clear Connectivity
Unlike older metallic films, ceramic films are “signal friendly.” This means they won’t interfere with your GPS, cell phone reception, or keyless entry systems. You get all the protection of a high-end film without sacrificing any modern convenience.
“Clear Pinnacle or Stratos ceramic window film are an attractive alternative for many families who prefer openness and natural light, but recognize that they need to protect their kids.
Pinnacle or Stratos Ceramic FormulaOne window film are our most popular selling films,” says Mike Feldman, President of Advanced Film Solutions in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, FL.
Why Tampa Bay Drivers Trust Advanced Film Solutions
Living in the Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Sarasota regions means dealing with some of the highest UV indices in the country. Your vehicle isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B; it’s an environment where you spend hours every week.
At Advanced Film Solutions, we believe in a multi-brand approach to ensure you get the exact performance you need. Whether you are looking for the prestige of FormulaOne High Performance Auto Tint or the trusted durability of LLumar, our expert installers provide a precision fit that looks as good as it performs.
This May, Take Action
Don’t wait for the peak of July heat to think about your skin and your comfort. Join us in observing Skin Cancer Awareness Month by upgrading your vehicle with a film that is endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Protect your skin. Improve your drive.
Manufactured in the United States and backed by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, LLumar SelectPro FormulaOne LLumar window film are professionally installed by Advanced Film Solutions, 4334 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Land O’Lakes.
Call 813-949-3456 for details.
FormulaOne LLumar window tints have earned The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, a symbol of safety and efficacy. The Skin Cancer Foundation grants its Seal of Recommendation to products that meet the Foundation’s specific criteria for effective UV sun protection.
“For most people, window film is an excellent investment,” says Mr. Feldman. “When you consider the long term health benefits, occupancy comfort, reduced cooling loads and around the clock protection of window tint, it just make sense.”
Our residential LLumar and Vista window film protects your home from UV by filtering out the same 99.9% of these harmful wavelengths.
These solar and combination solar security films provide human safety skin protection requirements while also limiting sun damage and faded furnishings, wood floors, and artwork.
