Social Distancing and UV Sun Exposure?

I am introverted. I don’t mind being alone and reading or listening to music. It refreshes and energizes me when I need to face the world around me. But really, it seems like there is no world to face right now. Oh sure, I can go for my daily walk and veer around other walkers. I make the occasional trip to buy food, but I live in New York and I’m trying to stay away from folks. I have a homemade mask for those occasional excursions, but for the most part, I stay indoors and Zoom my work and relationships.

Can you get sun damage through windows?

I feel pretty safe from the sun while sitting in my room. My mindset is that at least I can relax from thoughts of melanoma while the economy tanks and people are sick around me. Ah, but only if things were quite so simple. Am I really protected while indoors? Can those pesky ultraviolet rays invade my home as well? Is any place really safe? Can I let my guard down while I’m hiding from the world?

Certain UV rays can penetrate glass

Well, there is reason to believe that I cannot. Evidently, harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) rays are able to penetrate glass and enter my home. Ultraviolet B (UVB), the rays that are responsible for sunburns, have a shorter wavelength than UVA rays and cannot penetrate glass windows (I won’t look burned). According to Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, a board-certified dermatologist from Westport, Connecticut, these longer UVA waves are responsible for accelerating signs of aging by breaking down collagen and elastin in the skin and can damage dermal DNA, which can lead to skin cancer.¹

Plus blue light damage

In the article, Dr. Sameer Bashley, a board-certified dermatologist from Beverly Hills, California, also states that extended periods of time in front of computers, televisions, and cell phones screens exposes people to HEV light (blue light), which can result in damage, such as hyperplasia and melasma.¹ Yikes! Looks like it’s back to books with dog-eared pages and covers and bookmarks.

Continue skincare and sun prevention inside

Dr. Craig Kraffert, a Redding, California dermatologist recommends continuing regular skincare practices even during times of sheltering in place. He describes people as “creatures of habit." Yet, I feel like my ability to keep good habits are being taxed. Weekdays and weekends are starting to feel the same. The usual rhythms of life are out of whack. Every day seems like Ground Hog Day. Many of us alternate from day time jammies to night time jammies. I get it. But evidently the sun doesn’t take a day off, it doesn’t practice social distancing, so we should be aware and practice good sun care.

Lathering up for another day in the house

There are three large windows in my living room that peer into the back yard and get the morning light. In fact, direct sunlight hits much of that room directly for much of the day. Part of my daily routine now is to apply lotion with at least SPF 30 each day, even when I don’t want to brave the unknown that is currently outside. While these are difficult times for most of us, I do see a silver lining in that I am now even more aware that I should be more diligent to protect my skin even in the midst of a pandemic. Lather up!

Note: This article was written on April 7, 2020. Further developments in what we know about the Coronavirus are continuously emerging.