Is it possible to tan behind glass? Does glass allow ultraviolet rays to pass through or not?

There were times when tanned skin was considered a sign of low birth, and noble ladies tried to protect their faces and hands from the sun's rays in order to maintain their aristocratic pallor. Later, the attitude towards tanning changed - it became an indispensable attribute of a healthy and successful person. Today, despite the ongoing controversy regarding the benefits and harms of sun exposure, bronze skin tone is still at the peak of popularity. But not everyone has the opportunity to visit the beach or solarium, and in this regard, many are interested in whether it is possible to sunbathe through window glass, sitting, for example, on a sun-warmed glazed loggia or attic.

Probably every professional driver or just a person who spends a long time behind the wheel of a car has noticed that his hands and face become lightly tanned over time. The same applies to office workers who are forced to sit at an uncurtained window for the entire work shift. You can often find traces of tanning on their faces even in winter. And if a person is not a regular at solariums and does not take a daily promenade through parks, then this phenomenon cannot be explained otherwise than by tanning through glass. So does glass allow ultraviolet light to pass through and is it possible to tan through the window? Let's figure it out.

The nature of tanning

In order to answer the question of whether it is possible to get a tan through ordinary window glass in a car or on a loggia, you need to understand exactly how the process of darkening the skin occurs and what factors influence it. First of all, it should be noted that tanning is nothing more than a protective reaction of the skin to solar radiation. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, epidermal cells (melanocytes) begin to produce the substance melanin (dark pigment), due to which the skin acquires a bronze tint. The higher the concentration of melanin in the upper layers of the dermis, the more intense the tan. However, not all UV rays cause such a reaction, but only those lying in a very narrow range of wavelengths. Ultraviolet rays are divided into three types:

  • A-rays (long wave)- are practically not retained by the atmosphere and reach the earth’s surface without hindrance. Such radiation is considered the safest for the human body, since it does not activate melanin synthesis. All it can do is cause slight darkening of the skin, and then only with prolonged exposure. However, with excessive insolation by long-wave rays, collagen fibers are destroyed and the skin is dehydrated, as a result of which it begins to age faster. And some people develop an allergy to the sun precisely because of A-rays. Long-wave radiation easily overcomes the thickness of window glass and leads to gradual fading of wallpaper, furniture surfaces and carpets, but it is impossible to obtain a full tan with its help.
  • B-rays (medium wave)- linger in the atmosphere and reach the Earth's surface only partially. This type of radiation has a direct effect on the synthesis of melanin in skin cells and contributes to the appearance of a quick tan. And with its intense impact on the skin, burns of varying degrees occur. B-rays cannot penetrate through ordinary window glass.
  • C-rays (short wave)- pose a huge danger to all living organisms, but, fortunately, they are almost completely neutralized by the atmosphere, without reaching the surface of the Earth. You can only encounter such radiation high in the mountains, but even there its effect is extremely weakened.

Physicists identify another type of ultraviolet radiation - extreme, for which the term “vacuum” is often used due to the fact that waves in this range are completely absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and do not reach the earth’s surface.

Can you tan through glass?

Whether you can get a tan through window glass or not directly depends on what properties it has. The fact is that there are different types of glass, each of which is affected differently by UV rays. Thus, organic glass has a high transmission capacity, which allows the passage of the entire spectrum of solar radiation. The same applies to quartz glass, which is used in solarium lamps and in devices for disinfecting rooms. Ordinary glass, used in residential premises and cars, transmits only long-wavelength rays of type A, and it is impossible to get sunburned through it. It's another matter if you replace it with plexiglass. Then you can sunbathe and enjoy a beautiful tan almost all year round.

Although sometimes there are cases when a person spends some time under the sun's rays passing through a window, and then discovers a light tan on open areas of the skin. Of course, he is fully confident that he got tanned precisely by insolation through the glass. But it is not so. There is a very simple explanation for this phenomenon: the change in shade in this case occurs as a result of the activation of a small amount of residual pigment (melanin) produced under the influence of ultraviolet type B, located in skin cells. As a rule, such a “tan” is temporary, that is, it quickly disappears. In a word, in order to get a full-fledged tan, you need to either visit a solarium or regularly take sunbathing, and it will not be possible to change the natural skin tone towards a darker one through ordinary window or car glass.

Do you need to defend yourself?

Only those people who have very sensitive skin and a predisposition to age spots should worry about whether it is possible to get a tan through glass. They are recommended to constantly use special products with a minimum degree of protection (SPF). Such cosmetics should be applied mainly to the face, neck and décolleté. However, you shouldn’t protect yourself too actively from ultraviolet radiation, especially long-wave radiation, because the sun’s rays in moderation are very useful and even necessary for the normal functioning of the human body.

Does glass allow ultraviolet rays to pass through or not?

  1. no, it doesn't let me through
  2. Ultraviolet radiation is reflected from glass, that is, no
  3. Yes...
  4. It lets us through (we sunbathed successfully in the greenhouse in March)
  5. Glass transmits light, but not ultraviolet.
  6. Already answered. Window glass transmits ultraviolet radiation starting at a wavelength of 360 nm. Quartz with 220 nm (at 220, transmission is 50%). Hard ultraviolet with a wavelength of less than 200 nm does not pass through any glass or even air. Conclusions: you won’t tan under ordinary glass and therefore you won’t get any vitamins; there won’t be enough ultraviolet radiation; if you don’t mind the money, build yourself a greenhouse from quartz or uviol, but it will cost much more.
  7. Uviol glass (from Latin ultra beyond and viola violet color), glass that transmits ultraviolet radiation with #955; lt; 400 nm (in the biological region of the spectrum). According to the chemical composition of U. s. are divided into 3 groups: silicate (contain about 75% SiO2), borosilicate (6880% SiO2 and 1214% B2O3), phosphate (about 80% P2O3). Included in the U.S. includes Al2O3, CaO, MgO and other components. To U. s. This also includes quartz glass. In U.S. some oxides (Fe2O3, Cr2O3, TiO2, etc.) and sulfides of heavy metals that absorb ultraviolet radiation should be absent. U.S. used for glazing of schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, greenhouses, for the shells of bactericidal and fluorescent lamps, etc.
  8. Yes, sunbathing in the office is useless.
  9. Ultraviolet light passes through quartz glass! The usual no!
  10. Regular window glass does not transmit ultraviolet radiation. Special quartz glass allows it to pass through; it is used to make ultraviolet lamps, which are called quartz lamps because of this. Quartz glass is not used for glazing windows.
  11. here some people write so beautifully about quartz glass
    as if ordinary glass is not melted from quartz sand
  12. Firstly, vitamins do not reach us with light, even sunlight...))) If we are talking about calciferols (vitamins of group D, which are formed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation in the body), then let's see how much UV we get through glass.. .

    The ultraviolet spectrum is divided into ultraviolet-A (UV-A) with a wavelength of 315400 nm, ultraviolet-B (UV-B) 280315 nm and ultraviolet-C (UV-C) 100280 nm, which differ in penetrating ability and biological effects on the body.
    Only ultraviolet-A light passes through clear window glass. Due to absorption, reflection and scattering when passing through the epidermis, only 20-30% of UV-A penetrates into the dermis and about 1% of its total energy reaches the subcutaneous tissue.

    By “tanning” through glass, you won’t get a tan or vitamins, but you can easily get a skin burn from overheating by visible radiation!

  13. Most types of ordinary glass do not transmit ultraviolet radiation, and if they do, it is very little. Organic glass - plexiglass, colorless plastic, transmits ultraviolet radiation, so it is not recommended to buy plastic sunglasses, they are more harmful than useful, the lens of the eye expands when there is insufficient light and more ultraviolet radiation reaches the retina. Good sunglasses usually have the same level of UV protection on their label. The best glasses have a special coating.
  14. I don’t remember reading somewhere that through glass the child does not receive vitamin D from the sun’s rays.
  15. misses but only a little

For many people, the answer to the question of whether you can tan through glass is obvious. Of course, “no,” the majority thinks, and I must admit, they are very mistaken. No, naturally, no one will argue with the fact that drivers and those whose workplaces are in close proximity to a window get a tan quite quickly. But the physics of this process is not as simple as it might seem.

The nature of tanning

In fact, anyone can answer the question whether it is possible to tan through ordinary glass on a balcony or in a car on their own - you do not need any special education for this. The main thing is to first understand how exactly the process of darkening of the skin occurs and what factors influence it.

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

There are three main types of UV rays:

  1. A-radiation is long-wave. It penetrates the surface of the planet almost completely and affects the body unnoticed. A-rays have no difficulty penetrating the deep layers of the epidermis. Because of this, the latter ages faster than expected. The radiation destroys collagen and dehydrates skin cells. Under its influence, slight redness may appear. Some people develop it precisely because of it. But if you come into contact with long waves in doses, they will not pose a health hazard.
  2. When talking about whether it is possible to get tanned through a glass window, you definitely need to remember B-radiation. It is short-wave, but this does not prevent it from reaching the Earth almost completely - even taking into account the fact that waves tend to dissipate when colliding with obstacles. B-rays are the source of . Under their influence, melanocytes produce melanin much faster. But if you stay in contact with them for too long, your skin may burn.
  3. Gamma radiation is considered the most dangerous. Fortunately, most of its rays are delayed on approaching the Earth's surface by the ozone layer. Otherwise, all life on the planet would simply burn out.

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

So is it possible to get tanned through a car glass or window?

Glass is a transparent material. It easily transmits light, but blocks beta and gamma ultraviolet rays. Even the thickest windows cannot stop alpha radiation. And as you already know, long-wave A-rays have a very slow effect on the epidermis. The maximum effect that can be achieved is a slight redness of the upper layer of skin, which it will come down with time. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to achieve a lasting tan – the radiation intensity is too low.

You can get a good tan through a window or car glass only if several conditions are met. Firstly, the sun's rays must constantly affect the epidermis. Secondly, a chocolate tint is more likely to appear if the skin already has melanin. The explanation is simple: over time, the tan is washed off and fades. 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 and epidermis can begin to darken.

Solar radiation causes a darkening of the human skin, which is called tanning. It is generally accepted that if sunlight falls through transparent objects, then all its rays fully reach the surface of the skin, so tanning can also occur in this case. But in reality this is not so: a person practically does not sunbathe through glass. This is explained by the fact that glass blocks part of the radiation, which is responsible for the production of melanin in the human body.

Ultraviolet radiation is divided into three types: A, B and C. The first is long-wave: these waves act unnoticed, penetrating the skin and affecting various internal processes. These rays reduce the amount of water, collagen and elastin in the epidermal cells, causing the skin to age faster. Long-wave radiation can cause an allergic reaction and slight redness, but does not contribute to the appearance of a tan, since melanin does not appear in the cells. Under its influence, only...

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Outside the home

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More and more often, on TV or from friends, each of us hears about skin cancer, which occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to sunlight.

That is why you have to think about whether it is possible to tan through the glass of a window or car, and whether it is necessary to protect your skin with special creams while you are behind the glass.

About the types and properties of UV rays

Want to see if it's really possible to tan through glass? Then why not first figure out how a tan appears on human skin?

First of all, we note that it is a protective reaction of the skin when the rays of the sun begin to affect it, however, this reaction cannot be caused entirely by them, but only by their ultraviolet spectrum.

Since the skin contains cells containing a special pigment - melanin, as soon as it is exposed to rays, the pigment is activated, the skin darkens, interfering...

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Whether it is possible to tan through glass is a controversial issue. Theorists and practitioners have different opinions on this matter. Summer is at its zenith. It's hot outside. Great time for relaxation and travel. But many people do not have the opportunity to go somewhere to relax and tan beautifully on the beach.

Tanning through glass is not possible

Therefore, girls often wonder whether it is possible to get a tan while sitting by the window. After all, the same sunlight hits your skin as it does outside. Unfortunately, this is not possible, since ordinary glass does not transmit ultraviolet rays. And they turn our skin brown. Tanning through glass is unrealistic. This is what practitioners say. An argument in their favor is the white skin around the eyes after wearing sunglasses.

In principle, getting a tan at home is not a problem. You can sunbathe while on an open balcony, in a country house, some even manage to use the roof. But the question is precisely whether it is possible to tan through glass. Everyone...

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Tanning is based on the effect of ultraviolet rays on the skin. There are three types of such rays in total. Those called “C” practically do not reach the earth’s surface, so they cannot seriously affect our skin. But “B” rays allow you to get the desired golden shade very quickly, but in a harmful way. The safest tan is considered to be the one obtained by exposing the skin to rays “A”. True, for a strong effect in this case it takes considerable time. But the result is worth it: this tan is safe and lasts a very long time.

Why does the skin darken?

Special cells in the human body are responsible for changing skin tone, as well as its intensity. They contain the pigment melanin, hence the name melanocytes. By causing the skin to darken, they protect the body from the harmful effects of solar radiation. And the more intense the ultraviolet rays, the more pigment the cells produce. An interesting feature of these cells in...

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Did you get the impression, when you were near the window on a sunny day, that you were sunbathing, even standing behind the glass? For example, when you are in a crowded public transport, where there is no way to move to the shady side of the cabin, or when you are driving a car, you get the feeling that you can even get a sunburn through the glass. Is it even worth thinking about this, is it possible to tan through glass? Let's look into this issue.

Why does a person tan in the sun? I have written a whole article on this topic. In short, because under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the human body produces melanin, which turns the skin a darker color, or, as we call it, a “tan” color. Thus, the body protects us from getting sunburn.

This means that in order to understand the question: “Is it possible to tan through glass?”, you need to find out whether the glass allows these ultraviolet rays to pass through. It turns out that it misses, but not everything.

The fact is that in nature...

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Can you tan through glass? No you can not. Tanning is promoted by ultraviolet radiation, and glass does not allow it to pass through. What happens during sun exposure? Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the skin produces a special pigment, melanin, which reflects the waves of the ultraviolet spectrum. In this case, the skin changes to a darker shade, known as tan, and the likelihood of a burn is sharply reduced.

Ordinary glass is not capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays, so sunlight transmitted through window glass does not cause tanning. But you can tan through quartz glass, which transmits ultraviolet radiation well. This property of quartz glass is used in quartz lamps.

To be fair, it should be said that the theoretical possibility of tanning through ordinary glass exists, but it is negligible. The fact is that it still transmits a very small part of the ultraviolet spectrum (315-400 nm), but this part is so insignificant that it does not have a significant...

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10

Do you want to impress everyone on the beach at the beginning of the season with your appearance and chocolate skin tone, and are you wondering how you can get a tan? There is only one answer - you will have to go to the solarium.

Some people wonder if it's possible to get tanned through window glass. Unfortunately, it is absolutely impossible to get any kind of tan while lying on the balcony. The thing is that a special pigment, melanin, is responsible for darkening the skin. It begins to be produced when human skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. With the help of increased production of melanin, the skin begins to protect itself from radiation, preventing the occurrence of sunburn, and darkens. The darker the skin color, the less likely you are to get this burn. That is why, historically, people in the north are white-skinned, while those closer to the equator are dark-skinned.

It is worth noting that about 90% of ultraviolet radiation, which causes the production of melanin, is eliminated in the atmosphere. But ultraviolet radiation that reaches the surface of the earth is not capable of...

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11

Can you tan through glass?

For many people, the answer to the question of whether you can tan through glass is obvious. Of course, “no,” the majority thinks, and I must admit, they are very mistaken. No, naturally, no one will argue with the fact that drivers and those whose workplaces are in close proximity to a window get a tan quite quickly. But the physics of this process is not as simple as it might seem.

The nature of tanning

In fact, anyone can answer the question whether it is possible to tan through ordinary glass on a balcony or in a car on their own - you do not need any special education for this. The main thing is to first understand how exactly the process of darkening of the skin occurs and what factors influence it.

Any ray of sunlight consists of several different types of electromagnetic radiation. Each of them is perceived by the body in its own way: some are regarded as a source of heat, others – exclusively as light....

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12

We have all heard more than once that glass does not transmit ultraviolet rays. But people who spend a lot of time, for example, driving a car, are ready to argue with this statement. So is it possible to tan through window glass, or is this just another fiction?

A little physics

Do you want to figure out how ultraviolet radiation works and is it possible to tan through a window? Let's remember the school physics course!

Solar radiation consists of waves of different lengths, which have different effects on the human body.

A-rays easily reach the surface of our planet and are able to penetrate deep into the skin. They do not give a tan as such, but they provoke accelerated aging of the epidermis. This happens because A-rays destroy collagen and dehydrate skin cells. The redness that appears on the skin as a result of their exposure quickly passes. B-rays give us a quick and rich tan. It is thanks to them that our skin acquires a chocolate tint, this type of radiation...

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13

Many motorists have noticed more than once that the hand closest to the window becomes darker. Do the sun's rays really have the same effect through glass as without it? If this is so, then why is it impossible to achieve a beautiful tan while lying on the balcony? Can you tan through glass? Let's figure it out.

Physics and anatomy in one bottle

The sun's rays consist of different types of electromagnetic radiation. The human body perceives some types as heat, others as light. But we do not see or feel ultraviolet radiation itself.

There are ultraviolet rays of types A, B and C. Let's consider them in more detail.

1) A-radiation is long-wave. It almost completely reaches our planet and affects the body unnoticed. It is type A rays that penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis. What happens?

The amount of collagen is significantly reduced, and the water and elastin content in skin cells decreases. As a result, the process...

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More and more often, on TV or from friends, each of us hears about skin cancer, which occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to sunlight.

That is why you have to think about whether it is possible to tan through the glass of a window or car, and whether it is necessary to protect your skin with special creams while you are behind the glass.

About the types and properties of UV rays

Want to see if it's really possible to tan through glass? Then why not first figure out how a tan appears on human skin?

First of all, we note that it is a protective reaction of the skin when the rays of the sun begin to affect it, however, this reaction cannot be caused entirely by them, but only by their ultraviolet spectrum.

Since the skin contains cells containing a special pigment - melanin, as soon as it is exposed to rays, the pigment is activated, the skin darkens, preventing harmful rays from penetrating further. This property of the pigment causes darkening of the skin, which is commonly called tanning.

Now let's move on to the types of rays. It is known that there are three types of ultraviolet rays - types A, B and type C.

  1. If we talk about the most dangerous of them, then type C is considered this, since its impact can lead to the complete destruction of all life on our planet. To great relief, this radiation is successfully neutralized by the atmosphere, and therefore the entire surface of the Earth, where people and animals live, is out of danger.
  2. Compared to type C, radiation of another type - B, is not so dangerous, however, this does not mean that it cannot have a bad effect on various living organisms. But still, there is no need to be afraid, because a caring atmosphere in this case also protects our planet, retaining as much as 90% of this radiation. The remaining ten, although they reach us and are also responsible for the occurrence of tanning, are still living organisms, thanks to the properties of their skin or fur, are able to protect themselves from them.
  3. It remains to deal with the last type of radiation - A. Despite the fact that its atmosphere practically does not delay it and therefore it easily reaches the surface of our planet, this radiation is rightly considered the safest and softest of all those already listed. It does not even cause any protective reactions in your skin and does not activate the production of melanin in it. All it can do is cause a slight darkening (and then only after prolonged exposure) of the skin. Don't be alarmed, it won't affect her condition in any way.

How to get a tan through regular window glass?

Whether you can tan through window glass or not depends on what properties it has.

The bottom line is that window glass transmits only ultraviolet type A. Given this fact, you will not be able to tan through the glass.

Sometimes, of course, there are cases when a person spends some time under the sun's rays, which pass through glass, and then discovers a light tan on his body, and then he is completely sure that he got tanned precisely through the glass. However, this is not quite true.


This kind of tan occurs according to the following principle: any person who is indoors still sometimes goes outside - he will either go outside to smoke during a work break, or go to a store, etc.

While he is outside, especially in the warm season, he receives a certain amount of ultraviolet radiation of type B, as a result of which the skin becomes tanned.

When it starts to get cold outside, people rush to dress warmer and therefore they are less susceptible to radiation, and melanin returns to its normal state. But still, a little charged pigment remains (only it is no longer activated), therefore, when it is again exposed to type A radiation, the charged melanin is immediately activated.

As a result of this chain of events, the skin becomes slightly tanned, although this darkening fades fairly quickly.

Agree, it is quite difficult to seriously call all this a tan - it can be attributed more to the so-called residual effect.

Is it possible to tan through a car window?

Professional drivers often notice how, after some time behind the wheel of a car, their skin darkens. Moreover, some areas of the body may be darker (for example, hands and face), while others are much lighter.

But some people, on the contrary, are completely sure that it is absolutely impossible to tan in such a strange way. So which of them is right in this dispute?

The truth is somewhere in the middle, it lies in the fact that in terms of how car glass interacts with ultraviolet rays, it is no different from ordinary glass.


In other words, car glass, as well as the glass on the windows of houses and other buildings, can only transmit type A ultraviolet.

However, this is the main mystery: such radiation can really cause darkening of the skin, but this interesting process will take ten, and perhaps even a hundred times longer than if you decided to sunbathe on the beach or in a solarium.

So is it possible to get tanned through a car window? The conclusion is very simple: the more time a person spends behind the wheel of his car, the higher his chances of getting a tan through the glass, but, again, the severity of darkening of the skin also depends on the time spent behind the wheel.

Other people in his car shouldn’t even worry about this problem, because passengers still don’t sit in it as often as the driver.

If for some reason you want to tan through regular or car glass, then first you will have to walk outside in the sun, and only then sunbathe through the glass. Of course, you will have to have a lot of patience.

Do you need sunscreen if you sunbathe through glass?

Perhaps only those people whose skin is prone to the appearance of age spots need to worry, because anything can provoke them.

For such people, being in a car for a long time or generally under the influence of sunlight, it is better to use a special sunscreen - even the weakest of them will do.

Even if you use your regular day cream, it will still protect your skin, since such creams also contain a UV filter.

Apply a small amount of protectant to the neck and face - these areas are considered the most vulnerable and it is there that unpleasant pigment spots most often appear.

Don't panic if you don't have any protective cream or other similar product at hand. The human body has developed another additional defense that saves us when exposed to solar radiation no worse than melanin.