Is using 30 SPF enough for the amount of sun that we get blasted by?

[-]

ABCapt@reddit

I asked my dermatologist if I should be wearing sunscreen, he said “it can’t hurt…but if I was you I would be more worried about X-ray exposure.” He said one Atlantic crossing is the equivalent of one chest X-ray.

He did add his favorite sunscreen is the Target brand (up and up—or something) is made by Neutrogena.

[-]

PM_ME_UR_FAT_DINK@reddit

Y’all should visit /r/30plusskinscare for product tips.

[-]

1E-12@reddit

Calculate your radiation received in flight:

https://jag.cami.jccbi.gov/cariprofile.asp

A chart to help put those numbers in perspective:

https://xkcd.com/radiation/

[-]

sillyaviator@reddit

Sunscreen won't stop the radiation

[-]

pwsmoketrail@reddit

sunscreen won't protect you from the main cause of pilot cancer: cosmic rays

I've flown 20 years in the airlines and never once had a sunburn at work, no matter how long I was in the cockpit, even the pre-FAR 117 days when they could go 16 hours. UV isn't the issue

[-]

Routine_Fly_9620@reddit

This. My dermatologist confirmed there is nothing we can do about it.

[-]

autist_retard@reddit

Not flying polar routes or or staying lower during strong solar activity

[-]

TheEastyE@reddit

Thank you Russia for being so shitty that we can't fly polar routes anymore! You were actually looking out for us 🙏🏼

[-]

autist_retard@reddit

They gave their pilot that dropped the tsar hydrogen bomb a 50% chance of survival, pilots health isn’t their primary concern

[-]

GeorgiaPilot172@reddit

I mean, every flight we fly has a 50% chance of survival if you think about it

[-]

RaidenMonster@reddit

And they berated it by half. Was supposed to be something like 100 megatons.

[-]

nwmountaintroll@reddit

UVA ages your skin. It is not filtered very well by the windows.

UVB burns you. It is filtered well by our windows.

Both are damaging and increase risk of cancer, though UVA not so much as UVB.

[-]

phliar@reddit

SPF 50 is available. But also, long sleeve shirts.

[-]

ComprehensiveEar7218@reddit

Long sleeves long trip.

[-]

huertamatt@reddit

Cries in tattoos on arms.

[-]

ThatLooksRight@reddit

If you wear the long sleeves, make sure and get the belt phone holster.

[-]

Ausernamenottaken-@reddit

You also need the “flip down” sunglasses attachment for your spectacles.

[-]

Working_Football1586@reddit

I just put on Super Goop Unseen 40 in the am and thats what my dermatologist recommended. I would highly recommend getting checked every year as a pilot, I was 34 when they found a spot that was cancerous on my thigh. It’s a free screening and will save you life or save you some scars if you catch it early.

[-]

Wandrews123@reddit

Just use mineral sunscreen. SPF is like counting calories…

[-]

vfrflying@reddit

What spf are oakleys?

[-]

hawker1172@reddit

Do you get sunburned? If so, no. If not, yes.

[-]

RaiseTheDed@reddit

Even then, a smoker gets a bigger dose of radiation than pilots.

[-]

Altruistic_Apple_252@reddit

uh...no.

[-]

RaiseTheDed@reddit

Uh, yes

[-]

DFL252006@reddit (OP)

no I don’t get sunburned I am just trying to prevent skin cancer

[-]

hawker1172@reddit

Then you wont get skin cancer if you aren’t coming close to burning

[-]

nwmountaintroll@reddit

Good on you. UVA exposure is a real concern in the cockpit as it’s not filtered by the windows as well as UVB. The damage is being done and you won’t get a burn.

[-]

PlaneShenaniganz@reddit

Shop Coolibar for UPF 50+ rated undershirts and pants. Aside from that, wear 70+ SPF on all exposed skin and reapply every 2-3 hours, even if you aren't in direct sunlight.

[-]

a_provo_yakker@reddit

Are you in direct constant sunlight? I use everything my fleet has (roller shades on both side windows and a Rosen visor in the front, plus giant QRH cards when the sun is directly in the front window). There’s ample 3rd party options too, ranging from custom fit shades to the generic car window shades that use vinyl on the back to cling.

Last year someone got me these arm sleeves, they kind of feel like under armor material. I haven’t actually had to use them much since the aircraft shakes do a good job, but I use them in the car a lot when I drive to work.

[-]

PlaneShenaniganz@reddit

Are you in direct constant sunlight?

It is a common misconception that you need to be in constant direct sunlight for your skin to sustain UV damage. You can still receive plenty of UV exposure from reflections.

[-]

poisonandtheremedy@reddit

I use those arm sleeves to protect my very expensive tattoo while flying. Works great. Have a few stashed in the flight bag and plane. Left side only 😝

[-]

bustervich@reddit

3rd party options

Kinder fluff!

[-]

boobooaboo@reddit

No, but it helps your mom

[-]

beastpilot@reddit

Before you focus so much on the SPF, read up about what SPF means and how it can be misleading and how manufacturers can game it. If you're going to wear it all the time, you may want to consider some other factors.

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/whats-wrong-with-high-spf/

[-]