Window Tint – Sun exposure, UV and kids

chicagoautopros · August 30, 2016

The traditional window tint customer is typically looking to enhance their vehicle’s appearance. They also invest in larger wheels and other performance enhancements. Unfortunately, that doesn’t represent the vast majority of car owners who should be applying window tint to their vehicles.

Dermatologists recommend reducing exposure to UVA and UVB rays to reduce the risk of skin cancer (cite). This is especially important for children. Dr. Gerhard Cibis, Chief of Ophthalmology at Children’s Mercy Hospital, stated that children are more susceptible to damage from the sun and it’s a common oversight to not apply sunscreen to a child just for a car trip (Hofmann, 1993). Infants and children lack pigment in the lens of the eye; this pigment filters ultraviolet rays that reach the retinas in infant’s, children’s, and adult’s eyes. In other words, if your eyes are irritated in the sun, so are your children’s developing eyes.

The windshield is a large source for light emissions into your car. Your hands, face, and neck are exposed to the UV radiation that enters through the windshield. Unfortunately, applying traditional window tint film to the windshield is typically not applied due to the reduction in visibility. However, some manufacturer’s glass includes a laminate that protects against UV rays. You can check with your manufacturer to see if this may apply to your vehicle.

Fortunately, there are several options available to protect you and your family against sun exposure that are not invasive. Here at Chicago Auto Pros Detailing and Tint, we carry LLumar® FormulaOne® window tint film. All of their film blocks 99.9% of the sun’s UV rays, keeping you and your family safe from sun exposure. We also offer a special LLumar “ceramic” film that, in addition to blocking the UV rays, keeps your car and its occupants cooler. The ceramic additive blocks the infrared rays which reduces the solar heat gain. This is a great benefit while driving, especially on long trips where the glare and radiation can cause fatigue and, while not a clinical concern, crankiness!

A common concern when applying window tint film is the reduced visibility and concerns with local window tint laws. While dark film is wonderful for keeping the sun out of your vehicle it also reduces your outward vision, especially at night. Fortunately, we also offer lighter shades of film that offers many of the same benefits without the “dark sunglasses” look.

One of the most exciting innovations that we offer is the advent of clear ceramic tint. This tint still blocks 99.9% of the UV rays and offers exceptional heat rejection, but reduces the visible light only a barely perceptible amount. This is a great solution for people who want the benefits of traditional film but without the dark look. www.chicagoautopros.com

References

Hofmann, D. (1993). Protecting children’s eyes from the sun. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/22/garden/protecting-children-s-eyes-from-the-sun.html

Diablo's Tint · September 4, 2016

It's my understanding the Windshield laminate already blocks uv rays. Might want to state facts. Factory windshield blocks X% of uv rays & our film will enhance that by blocking X%

The windshield is a large source for light emissions into your car. Your hands, face, and neck are exposed to the UV radiation that enters through the windshield. Unfortunately, applying traditional window tint film to the windshield is typically not applied due to the reduction in visibility. However, some manufacturer’s glass includes a laminate that protects against UV rays. You can check with your manufacturer to see if this may apply to your vehicle.

Tintguy1980 · September 4, 2016

All front windscreens sold and installed in the US market have the capacity to screen UV at a rate of 95-99%.

Glass screens the majority of UVB and will reduce UVA transmission between 20-something percent, to as high as 95% without the need for PVB laminate... Most especially since 2008 automotive glass has the higher end of these performance numbers.

Window film assures the likelihood of little to none of the UV getting through.