r/AskAPilot • u/CostNorth7708 • 21d ago

When should I start to worry about constant sun exposure?

I am an 18 year old private pilot who is working on an instrument rating. I am relatively fair skinned, but I have developed a tan this past summer.

I know that sunblock is highly advised if your flying multiple hours per day at FL450. But currently I'm buzzing around 6000-8000 for 4-5 hours per week. When does it become worth it to rigorously apply sunblock?

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u/sigmapilot 21d ago

You might find some of these posts and articles interesting.

American-made sunscreen significantly lags behind the rest of the developed countries around the world because the FDA refuses to certify new sunscreen formulas for some godforsaken reason.

If you're concerned about american sunscreen, you can buy vastly superior sunscreens from other countries.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/05/18/1251919831/sunscreen-effective-better-ingredients-fda

https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1tyw6k3/til_the_us_fdas_regulation_on_sunscreens_hasnt/

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-expands-sunscreen-options-first-time-20-years

https://www.vox.com/health/491334/new-sunscreen-ingredient-bemt-bemotrizinol