Can I sunbathe through the glass?

For many people, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to tan through glass is obvious. Of course, "no", the majority believes, and one must admit, is very mistaken. No, of course, argue with the fact that drivers and those whose workplaces are in close proximity to the window, sunburn appears fairly quickly, no one will. But the physics of this process is not as simple as it might seem.

Nature of sunburn

To answer the question of whether it is possible to get sunburnt through ordinary glass on a balcony or in a car, in fact, everyone can do it on their own - for this it is not necessary to have a special education. The main thing is to preliminarily understand how the process of darkening of the skin takes place, and what factors influence it.

Any solar ray consists of several different types of electromagnetic radiation. Each of them is perceived in its own way: some are regarded as a source of heat, others are exclusively of light. Of course, no one can yet feel the ultraviolet or touch it with their hands.

There are three main types of UV rays:

1. A radiation is long-wavelength. It penetrates to the surface of the planet almost completely and affects the body imperceptibly. A-rays are easy to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis. Because of what the latter grows old faster than the laid one. Radiation destroys collagen and dehydrates skin cells. Under its influence, slight redness may appear. Some people because of it develops an allergy to the sun . But if they are dosed with long waves, they will not present health hazards.
2. Talking about whether it is possible to tan through a window glass, it is necessary to remember the B-radiation. It is short-wave, but this does not prevent it from almost completely reaching the Earth - even in view of the fact that when colliding with obstacles, waves have the property of dissipating. B-rays - the source of the fastest tan . Under their influence, melanocytes produce melanin much faster. But if you contact them for too long, the skin can burn.
3. The most dangerous is gamma radiation. Fortunately, most of its rays are delayed on the approach to the Earth's surface by the ozone layer. Otherwise, all living things on the planet would simply burn out.

From all of the above, we can draw one conclusion: in order to tan faster, more evenly and more beautifully, you still need direct contact with UV rays.

So can I tan through a car window or windows?

Glass - the material is transparent. It easily passes light, but delays the ultraviolet rays of beta and gamma type. Alpha radiation, even the thickest windows can not stop. And as you already know, long-wavelength A-rays on the epidermis have a very slow effect. The maximum effect that can be achieved is a slight reddening of the upper layer of the skin, which time will come down. Persistent tanning with all the desire to achieve will not work - the intensity of radiation is too small.

Good tanning through the window or car glass is possible only if several conditions are met. First, the sun's rays must act on the epidermis constantly. Secondly, a chocolate shade will appear with a higher probability if the skin already has melanin. The explanation is simple: over time, the tan is washed off and burned. But melanocytes, during direct contact with the sun, produced a large amount of melanin. And now even under the influence of radiation of insignificant intensity the skin of the epidermis can begin to darken.