Here is a fantastic change that will save me money and effort.
Take sunscreen through the TSA checkpoints
As most of you probably know, you are usually restricted to fluids of no more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) through TSA checkpoints. There are some exceptions, such as medically essential items.
Well, for those who use sunscreen, there is excellent news – from April 7, 2021, you can take full size sunscreen (SPF products) through TSA checkpoints.
In other words: you can take sunscreen bottles of more than 3.4 grams by security, you only have to “explain” it to a TSA agent when you are at the checkpoint (or I think you can try not to explain it , and see if the TSA catches it).
You can now take full size sunscreen through the TSA checkpoints
Why is sunscreen now allowed by TSA checkpoints?
The reason for this change is that sunscreen has been added to the TSA’s list of medically approved liquids, gels and aerosols that can be brought through checkpoints, which otherwise include contact solution, hand sanitizer and medication.
This comes after the Department of Dermatology at Brown University challenged the TSA against sunscreen, arguing that sunscreen is needed to protect against skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with approximately 9,500 people being diagnosed with it every day in the United States alone. Research suggests that increasing the use of sunscreen by 5% for 10 years each year will lead to 10% in melanoma in the United States, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer.
The average adult needs 1.4 grams of sunscreen per application, and every two hours it is recommended again. In other words, following the recommendation, your 3.4 grant will fetch us after just two applications for one person.
I am delighted with this change
A decade ago, this change would have meant nothing to me. Luckily, Ford taught me a few things during the years we were together, and one of them is the importance of sunscreen.
As a kid, I was always encouraged to go outside without sunscreen to get Vitamin D, because that seemed to be good for me. I do not know if it’s generation or what, but I’m glad I learned the mistake my way.
Ford wears sunscreen every day (even just to do daily activities), and I also started doing it most days. Although it may have seemed like a strange concept in the past, skin cancer is one of the most easily preventable types of cancer, so there is no reason not to take precautions.
Personally, I am happy about this change, because as you would expect, we use dozens of our sunscreen together when we go on beach vacations, even though we never lie in the sun. There is always the compromise between examining a bag just for sunscreen and the long time to wait at the luggage belt, and to buy expensive sunscreen at the destination.
While this is a huge change, my one point of frustration is that it only applies to TSA checkpoints, and not elsewhere in the world. For example, if you travel to the Maldives and join a Golf transport hub, you still cannot take sunscreen through checkpoints.
It is therefore ideal for domestic travel, or for travel where you fly continuously from the US to your final destination. But it is less useful for international travel, where it will usually be the most valuable (since some resorts in the Maldives sunscreen cost as if it were Cristal).
It is limited to international travel
Bottom line
You can now take a full solar bottle through the TSA checkpoints, which is great news. This is because sunscreen is classified as a medically essential product.
Skin cancer is so common, yet so preventable, and hopefully this change will help protect people when they travel.
Can we just get rid of the liquid ban completely for that matter? Water is also needed to sustain life, but it is forbidden at checkpoints …
Is anyone else excited about this new sunscreen exception at TSA checkpoints?
(Tip of the hat to see from the wing)