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A dermatologist went viral on TikTok for sharing why airline pilots have a higher risk of skin cancer. Here's how to protect yourself from UV rays in the sky.

Apr 14, 2023, 03:25 IST
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Thomas_EyeDesign/Getty Images
  • Dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park recently shared a TikTok about melanoma risks when flying.
  • One study found that an hour of being in the cockpit had the effects of 20 minutes in a tanning bed.
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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, with one in five Americans predicted to develop some form of it in their lifetimes.

Some of the most talked-about prevention methods include wearing sunscreen, avoiding too much sun exposure, and staying away from tanning beds. But dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park recently shared a lesser-known skin cancer risk in her TikTok: Flying in an airplane.

"You should ABSOLUTELY wear sunscreen on airplanes or keep windows shut," said Park said in a video that got 1.6 million views, citing research that found that frequent, unprotected flying put people at risk for developing skin cancer.

One study found that a cockpit has similar effects to a tanning bed

In her TikTok, Park cited a 2015 study published in "JAMA Dermatology" that explored the skin cancer risks to pilots and cabin crew.

The study found that flying in a cockpit for 56.6 minutes at 30,000 feet exposed pilots to the same amount of UV-A radiation as a 20-minute tanning bed session. Too much UV light can cause damage to the DNA in skin cells, leading to cancer.

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It also found that airplane windows block UV-B transmission but not UV-A (ultraviolet light with longer wavelengths than UV-B). While UV-A is associated with skin aging and UV-B is tied to sunburns, both are damaging to the skin and linked to skin cancer.

In the comments in Park's TikTok, several people claimed they developed melanoma, considered the most serious form of skin cancer, from working as a pilot or crew, or knew someone who did.

"I was a flight attendant for 2 years and ended up with stage iv melanoma, can confirm lol," said a user who goes by the name Justine.

"Not my pilot husband with a melanoma growing inside the borders of a normal mole," said TikToker Chelsea Reinoehl. "I badgered him for 6 months and he finally got it biopsied."

Park recommends wearing moisturizing sunscreen on flights and lowering window shades

While pilots and cabin crew with frequent exposure are at higher risk than average fliers, Park still recommends that all airplane passengers wear sunscreen and lower the window shades when possible.

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She also agreed with commenters, some of whom claimed they were pilots, on what they do for added protection.

"I'm a pilot and I haven't left my house without 70spf in over 3 years," user Sera said.

"I'm flight crew and I recommend wearing long sleeves! Don't forget to put sunscreen on your hands," said user Greta.

For passengers (especially ones who fly often), Park recommended moisturizing sunscreens "since it's dry as hell" on airplanes, including No7 SPF30 day cream sunscreen, a hydrating SPF50 sunscreen gel from Isntree, and an SPF50 rice-based sunscreen from Beauty of Joseon.

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