In Support of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Avery Dennison® Urges People to Consider the Benefits of Solar Protection Window Film for Buildings and Vehicles

MENTOR, Ohio – May 1, 2023 – Skin Cancer Awareness Month is an annual May initiative of the nonprofit Skin Cancer Foundation*, which for more than 40 years has been helping people understand the importance of skin cancer prevention, early detection and prompt, effective treatment. As a member of the Foundation’s Corporate Council, Avery Dennison® Graphics Solutions is proud to encourage people to be proactive about daily sun protection, including through the use of automotive and architectural window film.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, with over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation stresses that skin cancer is the cancer you can see: Early detection saves lives.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes skin cancer. UV rays also damage your eyes and cause your skin to lose elasticity, sag, stretch, bruise more easily, and age prematurely. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, some of the most important ways to protect ourselves from the sun include:

Avoiding prolonged exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Covering up when outside with sun-protective clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Avoiding getting sunburnt.
Liberally applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
Get all the details: Your Daily Sun Protection Guide.

The benefits of architectural window films

“One thing people don’t realize is that sun exposure can happen inside. Being exposed to UV rays passing through window glass is no different from being outside when it comes to sun damage,” says Dermatologist Elizabeth Buzney, M.D., in a video on the Skin Cancer Foundation website.

“Professionally installed architectural window film will block up to 99.9% of UV rays, protecting people from the sun while also rejecting solar heat, reducing fading of interior furnishings, and improving energy efficiency,” said Cassandra Yu, Avery Dennison architecture and retail segment lead for graphic materials and window films.

“Avery Dennison offers a full suite of architectural window film in varying tints and with varying attributes to meet the needs of retail, industrial and office buildings, schools and homes.” she said. “Our window film installers tell us they are hearing from more people who have recovered from skin cancer and want to protect themselves and others from further exposure to the sun while they are inside their homes or place of work.”

The benefits of automotive window films

“Very few people think about sun protection while they're driving,” Dr. Buzney says. “Studies have shown that in the U.S. there is more incidence of cancer on the left arm than the right arm due to driving. Just in my own clinical experience, I see more patients who have pre-cancerous spots as well as skin cancers on the left side of their face, neck and arm. It's the reverse in places where they drive on the other side of the road.

“By law, car front windshields have a shatterproof film applied in the factory that also blocks 99% of UV rays,” Buzney says. “But the film is not on the other windows. That's why we recommend having window film installed on the rest of the windows in the car, including the back windshield and the sunroof for maximum protection.”

Automotive window films will block >99% of ultraviolet radiation,” said Avery Dennison Window Film Regional Technical Specialist Randy Garcia. “The best of these aftermarket films also reject heat and glare while protecting vehicle interiors from fading.

“Automotive window films come in a variety of shades and light transmission levels, all of which block UV radiation and glare,” he explained. “There are virtually clear window films as well, like our Shield IR 80, which also blocks >99% of UV rays and an impressive percentage of glare.

“People who spend a lot of time on the road—such as commercial truck drivers and those who drive a lot as part of their job—should be particularly concerned about sun exposure for the reasons cited by Dr. Buzney,” Garcia said.

“Your Avery Dennison window film dealer will help you select a film that meets the legal standard for how dark a tint is permitted by law while providing the appearance and protection you are looking for,” he added.* Avery Dennison thanks the Skin Cancer Foundation as the source for much of the content in this release.

Find more information about skin cancer and sun protection from the Skin Cancer Foundation at skincancer.org.

Find more information about Avery Dennison solar protection architectural and automotive window films at graphics.averydennison.com/windowfilms.

About Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company that provides branding and information labeling solutions, including pressure-sensitive materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, and a variety of converted products and solutions. The company designs and manufactures a wide range of labeling and functional materials that enhance branded packaging, carry or display information that connects the physical and the digital, and improve customers’ product performance. The company serves an array of industries worldwide, including home and personal care, apparel, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive. The company employs approximately 36,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2022 were $9.0 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.