The easy way you can avoid this little-known road risk

The Aussie influencer said she was "a bit sceptical" before realising the product was a total game changer.

We’re all familiar with ‘slip, slop, slap’ when it comes to days where you’ll be heading out in the sun, like to the beach or pool. But, do you think about sun safety when you’re in your car?

On those days when you’re driving around in the heat, there’s no doubt you’ve felt the sun beaming down on your arms - whether you’re the driver, or one of the passengers. You may have thought you’d be protected by tinted windows, however that isn’t always the case.

One Aussie influencer has come up with the perfect solution, and you can snag one for under $100.

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Image: TikTok / @luceletloose.

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“I would fully just pop this on before driving”

Rockhampton local @luceletloose, who regularly creates content around sun safety, took to TikTok this week to share a video trying on a Sun Smock.

Designed by OG influencer Lauren Curtis, the Sun Smock is a loose fitting smock designed to cover your arms and chest in the car when your clothes don’t. 

The UPF 50+ fabric blocks 98% of the sun's rays, ensuring you’re completely protected, and it’s easy enough to pop on over your clothing without having to swelter using a thick jacket or cardigan, or worry about reapplying sunscreen on long drives.

“Originally, I was a bit sceptical, like is it practical to have something in the car that you’re actually going to wear?” she said in the video.

“But, I would fully just pop this on before driving, especially on a day like today where I’m wearing no sleeves, and if I was driving for, like, 20 minutes, that could potentially be 20 minutes out in the sun that now I’m going to be protected for.”

The product comes in a few different variations, including longer versions to cover your thighs, and turtlenecks to cover your neck. The brand also makes gloves to protect your hands.

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“This is a great idea!”

Many commenters on the post loved the product, noting how much of a difference it could make.

“I’m a support worker so can be in a car for up to 12 hours depending, I have one of these and if I didn’t wear it you can tell,” said one commenter.

“No because ever since I’ve moved to Rockhampton my arms keep getting sunburnt while driving. I never had this issue in Sydney‚ the sun up here is no joke,” said another.

“This is a great idea! I always use a cardi or something to cover my arms on longer drives so something like this seems really practical,” a third said.

“Need this! I live in Tassie, UV’s are 12 everyday in summer my arms are constantly getting burnt 🥵” another commenter said.

However, others suggested it’s not needed, given that they’re sitting behind tinted windows.

“I thought that car windows were UV rated,” said one commenter.

“This is cool, but I think I wouldn’t wear it unfortunately, my car windows are pretty tinted and the front window is supposed to be UV rated,” said another.

It’s more dangerous than you think!

For anyone who believes you can’t get sun damage through a car window, Cancer Council is saying to think again.

"Many people may not know that some UV radiation can still penetrate their tinted car windows when they’re wound up," said Professor Anne Cust, Chair of Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Committee.

"While all types of commercial and automobile glass block the majority of UVB radiation, the degree of UVA radiation transmission depends on the type of glass you have for your vehicle.

"Laminated glass used on car windscreens provides better UV protection that tempered glass, blocking 98% of UVA radiation compared to 79%. Similarly, laminated glass used in buildings blocks UVA radiation completely, while tempered building glass can allow around 70% of UVA transmissions."

It's for this reason that ensuring your skin is protected is so important.

"The first step in reducing the amount of UV radiation that reaches the skin is to ensure that windows (tinted or untinted) are wound up, to avoid direct sun on the skin," she said.

"Cancer Council recommends that people who are spending long periods of time in a vehicle to use sun protection such as a long-sleeve shirt and pants, sunglasses and sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, water-resistant and SPF 50 or 50+. This also ensures that you are protected when you leave the car.

"Regardless of what activity you’re doing, we encourage Australians to make sun protection a daily part of their routine. When the UV level is 3 or above, we recommend Australians use all five forms of sun protection: Slip on protective clothing, Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50 or SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a broad-brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses."

Originally published as The easy way you can avoid this little-known road risk