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Going On A Road Trip? Here Are Effective Tips for Sun Protection

Going on a road trip can be a unique travel experience, as it allows you to not just look forward to the destination but also cherish the journey itself. To ensure a more memorable trip, it's recommended to explore new and unknown places to discover hidden gems outside of your itinerary. Meanwhile, a previous post explains how booking a car rental can help you save money, mainly by serving as your accommodation on overnight or long trips.

But besides fun-filled activities and money-saving tips, embarking on a road trip also means being proactive about your health and safety through sun protection. Below, we explain why the sun can be dangerous on the road and how to best prevent sun damage.

Why the sun can be dangerous when on the road

Whether it's a short day trip or a long journey that moves you through cities like Calgary and Vancouver, health experts strongly advise individuals to protect themselves from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. To start, Canada's UV index can go up to extreme levels of 11+ in the summer, but UV damage is present even on cloudy days and in the winter months.

Even inside the car, UV rays can penetrate and cause a range of skin and eye conditions, from sunburn and dry eyes to severe cases of skin cancer and cataracts. Additionally, the harsh glare from sunlight can be a hazard to drivers, making it much harder to see the road ahead and thus increasing the risk of accidents. Fortunately, you can follow the sun protection tips in the next section to maintain your skin and eye health.

How to protect yourself from the sun

Wear sunglasses

Considering bright light can strain the eyes, remember to wear sunglasses to keep your eyes protected and comfortable, whether you're the driver or the passenger. Even if you already wear eyeglasses to correct your vision, you can invest in a pair of prescription sunglasses so as not to compromise sun safety. Eyewear brand Ray-Ban offers signature sunglass styles like the Aviator, Clubmaster, and Wayfarer with prescription lens options. Not only do these models have 100% UV-blocking features, but you can also choose from various frame and lens combinations for a balance of style and practicality on the road.

Apply sunscreen

While sunglasses can take care of the eyes, applying sunscreen helps prevent sunburn and skin damage. In the same way, your eyewear must sufficiently block UV rays; choose a sunscreen labeled with an SPF of at least 30 and 100% broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It also helps to use a formulation suited for your skin type, such as mineral sunscreens perfect for acne-prone or sensitive skin due to the lack of irritants. Be generous with sunscreen application on body parts like the arms, legs, chest, and back, and make sure to reapply every few hours.

Opt for protective clothing

Whether you're going on a road trip to go sightseeing or experiencing outdoor activities like camping and hiking, it's best to pack lightweight and breathable sun-protective clothing. Calgary-based brand MorrisonRowe sells specialized apparel made with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) to minimize the UV rays that reach the skin. Various factors like colour, material, and fit can influence a garment's UPF, but the clothing label ensures that its pieces have a UPF rating of 50+ without the need for chemical treatment.

In summary, preparing for a road trip means adopting sun-safe practices like wearing sunglasses, applying sunscreen, and choosing sun-protective clothing. If you're still in the process of looking for a vehicle for your next road trip, check out the rest of the website for more information on MirrorTrip's car rental services.