The one thing you should do before every flight
Whether it’s going to the bathroom one last time before you’re in the air or making sure your passport and boarding pass is securely tucked in your jacket pocket, there’s a range of things you do before every flight. But applying a thick layer of sunscreen probably isn’t something that’s a part of your pre-flight preparation routine.
But there’s an important reason it should be.
Dermatologists are increasingly recommending sunscreen for people on flights, arguing that while the plane windows are small, the light is very bright.
Dr Sweta Rai of the British Association of Dermatologists tells Sun Online Travel: “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 your 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 sun scream when flying.”
And you have to put it on more than once. Dr Rai recommends reapplying every couple of hours, especially on long haul flights.
Dr Rai says: “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. Moisturise everywhere are you’re going to feel generally quite dry when you’re on a flight.”
What are your thoughts? Do you think you’ll wear sunscreen on your next flight?