Can You Get Sun Damage Through Car and Office Windows?
Your windshield blocks most UVA, but the side window barely tries — which is why drivers age unevenly and why glass isn't real sun protection.
Laminated windshields block about 94-99% of UVA, but ordinary tempered side windows block far less — one study found a side window blocked only about 71% of UVA — while UVB is largely stopped by glass, so UVA damage can accumulate indoors and while driving.
Researchers measuring radiation through automobile glass found a marked gap between laminated windshields and standard side windows, which helps explain clinical reports of asymmetric, driver's-side photoaging in people who commute frequently.
Questions we get a lot
Can you get sun damage through a car window?
Yes, especially from UVA. Laminated windshields block roughly 94-99% of UVA, but a study found an ordinary side window blocked only about 71%. Since UVA drives photoaging and can pass through side glass, frequent drivers can accumulate damage — which is why dermatologists recommend daily sunscreen even for commuters.
Do office windows block UV rays?
Standard glass blocks most UVB but lets a meaningful amount of UVA through, and the measured transmission varies by glass type. Because UVA contributes to aging and pigmentation, sitting beside a sunny window for hours can add up over time. A daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is sensible even for indoor desk work near glass.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'I work next to a big office window all day and never go outside — am I really getting UVA damage through the glass, or is that overblown?'