Put the Brakes on Skin Damage and Beat the Summer Heat

ST. LOUIS, July 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The average American spends more than 101 minutes a day in a car according to Harvard Health Watch. That's 37,935 hours or more than four years in a person's lifetime. Yet millions of drivers do not realize that UVA rays infiltrate glass in cars and if unprotected contribute to long term skin damage which can lead to aging, sagging skin or even cancer. Taking preventative measures such as installing LLumar® window tint on vehicle windows and using sunscreen every day help protect against skin damage.

According to a study in Dermatologic Therapy¹, "The need for protection from the sun is widely advocated, but consumers generally associate such protection with the occasional extreme exposure and tend to ignore the risk…Daily protection can reduce lifetime exposure by 50 percent or more." 

Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, vice-chair of the dermatology department at St. Louis University says, "UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and can silently accelerate the aging process, cause wrinkles and even skin cancer." Unlike UVB rays, which create immediate effects like blistering and burns, UVA rays create long-term damage that is not immediately noticeable. "That's why many people don't realize their skin is getting damaged from sitting near car windows or even at their desks at work," says Dr.  Glaser.   

A  St. Louis University Medical School study² revealed that nearly 53 percent of skin cancers in the US occur on the left side of the body. Researchers believe the increase in left-sided skin cancers may be from exposure to UVA radiation while driving. Notably the trend reverses to the right side of the body in countries where drivers sit on the right side of the car. 

According to Susan Butler, MD, a dermatologist and micrographic surgeon at the California Skin Institute research shows there is a trend in "wrinkles, leathering, sagging, brown 'age' spots and even skin cancers" on the left side of patients' faces. The more time subjects spend driving a vehicle, the more severe their photo damage (sun-induced skin damage) on the left side."

Window Tint Benefits and Facts

• Blocks 99 percent* of harmful ultraviolet rays which may cause long term, cumulative skin damage.
• Darkened rear SUV, truck and minivan windows provide privacy but are less resistant to harmful UV rays than window film. Clear window film such as LLumar AIR Series installed on privacy glass offers optimal protection.
• Helps reduce the interior surface temperature of a vehicle helping keep passengers cooler.
• Helps reduce fading and cracking of interior finishes.
• Visit www.llumar.com/find-a-dealer to locate a dealer near you and visit www.llumar.com/skinprotection/index.html to learn more about skin protection.

About Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries and had 2014 revenues of approximately $9.5 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 15,000 people around the world. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

¹ Dermatologic Therapy, Vol 17, 2004, 57-62
² Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 63, No 6
^*measured at 280-380nm

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150708/234286 

SOURCE Eastman Chemical Company

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