In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), avoiding prolonged time outdoors does not guarantee protection from solar radiation. Exposure can occur during routine movements: while commuting to work, walking to a parked car, or sitting by a window at home or in the office.
According to experts, even brief moments of exposure, repeated daily, can accumulate over months and years. Dr. Amandjot Arora Hooker, a dermatologist in the UAE specializing in clinical and aesthetic dermatology, notes that many people are unaware that ultraviolet radiation, especially UVA, passes through window glass, causing pigmentation and aging.
The difference between UVA and UVB is particularly important for those who use transportation. While UVB is largely blocked by windows, UVA can penetrate glass, meaning that being in a car does not eliminate sun exposure. The degree of exposure depends on the nature of the trip: a person driving for 10 or 15 minutes will be subjected to a different level of exposure than someone regularly making longer journeys between emirates.
Amandjot emphasized that drivers often do not use sunscreen, assuming that since they were not directly in the sun, it was unnecessary. A medical case documented in a 69-year-old truck driver illustrates this problem: after 28 years of working on the road, the side of his face regularly exposed to sunlight through the windshield showed significantly more signs of aging, such as wrinkles and thickening, compared to the other side.
This case was diagnosed as unilateral dermatocalcosis, demonstrating how long-term UVA exposure through glass can lead to visible differences in skin condition. Amandjot also observes similar patterns in some patients: the side of the face facing the sun has pigmentation, while the other side remains unaffected.
The main issue is not one short trip, but what happens when such exposure becomes regular. These short periods seem insignificant during the day, but when considering the cumulative damage over a year and subsequent years following the same routine, the situation changes.
For people prone to pigmentation or concerned about aging, these periods should be taken seriously. Extra caution should be exercised by those with a personal or family history of skin cancer.
Dr. Kushbu Goel, a specialist in dermatology and cosmetology at Aster Day Surgery Centre in Mankhool, agrees that daily activities can expose residents to UVA radiation, even if most of the time is spent indoors. She explained that automotive and construction glass blocks about 96% of UVB rays but offers less protection against UVA. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and can cause cumulative cellular damage, contributing to aging, pigmentation, and increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Even sitting near a bright window can be a source of exposure. Kushbu noted that in the middle of summer, spending 30–60 minutes near a bright window can potentially be harmful. Therefore, she recommends using sunscreen daily in the UAE, including people who spend most of their time indoors where sunlight penetrates through windows.
There is a common misconception that a higher SPF provides dramatically greater protection. Kushbu clarified that SPF 100 blocks about 99% of UV rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%, so doubling the SPF does not mean doubling the protection. For daily use, she advises using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and for active recreation and direct sun exposure—SPF 50 or higher. The cream should be applied 30 minutes to an hour before going outside and reapplied when exposed to direct sunlight.
The formula of the product is also important. Kushbu prefers lotions or gels to avoid greasiness or white residue, but water-resistant cream is recommended for swimming and outdoor sports. Even cloudy weather can lead people to underestimate the level of exposure. Kushbu reminded that about 80% of UV rays can pass through clouds, so sunscreen must be used on such days too. Furthermore, SPF makeup may be an insufficient form of protection.
Amandjot also emphasized the amount of cream applied. Some patients use only a few dots, but she recommends about the length of two fingers for the face and three for the face and neck, insisting on applying a 'good layer, not just dots.'
Protective measures can also include protective clothing, hats, UV-filtered sunglasses, and seeking shade, especially during prolonged outdoor events. Thus, for UAE residents, a daily commute is an easily overlooked source of sun exposure. A short trip, a walk to the car, or time near a bright window may seem insignificant individually, but when these brief contacts happen daily over many years, they become part of the cumulative impact on the body.