Flying Can Take a Toll on Your Skin
Simple steps to protect your largest organ at 30,000 ft
Flying can require a lot of preparation. You gather passports, tickets, clothes, and medical essentials, trying to anticipate your needs. But one aspect of air travel is often overlooked: its impact on your skin. Flying isn’t great for the dermis.
US airlines predict they will carry 271 million passengers around the world this summer from June 1 to Aug. 31. That’s a 6.3% increase from last summer and a new record for US airlines.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or taking a long-overdue vacation, understanding how air travel can negatively impact your skin is the first step to taking control. Flying can increase your risk of skin cancer, dry skin, acne outbreaks, dullness and puffiness. But armed with knowledge, you can take steps to ease these effects and ensure your skin lands in its best possible condition.
Skin cancer
Not only does the amount of sun exposure impact the risk of skin cancer, but so does intensity does, which is why dermatologists recommend avoiding outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. At typical flying heights (around 30,000 feet), UV radiation is about twice as intense as on the ground. If you’re sitting by the window, your risk of skin cancer and…
