Credit: Veni vidi...shoot / Getty ImagesIf you're afraid of searing the skin off your thighs every time you climb into a hot car in summer, it's probably time to do something about this problem. Especially when you live in a hot and sunny climate like ours. Fortunately, a low-tech, affordable solution has been around for decades: the sunshield.Also called a sun shade or windshield visor, sunshields are designed to block the sun and keep your car from overheating. In theory, they also protect the interior of your car from sun damage. But do car sunshields actually work?Here's why you should use a sunshield to stay cooler this summer.Why You Need A Sunshield And How It WorksCar interiors get hotter than the outdoors thanks to the greenhouse effect. Sunlight penetrates through the glass and bakes your interior. The resulting heat gets trapped inside the car. On an 80-degree day, your car could heat up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes. After an hour, your car's interior can reach a deadly 123 degrees. The temperature will climb further if it is hotter outdoors.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt can take a long time to get the air conditioning going and cool off the interior of your car when it's that hot. Some people are especially sensitive to extreme heat, especially young children. Heat and sun exposure can also damage your car, cracking dashboards, splitting leather seats, and fading the interior.While you can protect your car by parking it in the shade, this isn't always possible. This is where a sunshield comes in handy. By placing a sunshield in the windscreen, you can reflect sunlight and heat away from the biggest piece of glass on your car. A good sunshield can keep your car at least 20 degrees cooler than it would be otherwise.How To Pick The Best Sun ShadeThe best sun shades have full coverage for your windshield—no gaps or exposed areas around the edges. You can order a sunshield that custom-fits your windshield or use a foldable or accordion-style sunshield that stretches across the window. Look for a product that has multiple sizes so you can get the best fit for your car, van, or truck. The sunshield should have a reflective coating or high UPF rating of 50+, which means it blocks 99 percent of UV rays and heat from entering. Some shades also have a core layer that insulates against heat.Other Ways To Protect Your Car InteriorWe already mentioned parking in the shade to keep your car cooler. Here are some other ways to protect your car interior and keep your seats from overheating:AdvertisementAdvertisementInstall retractable, mesh sun shades on your rear passenger windows to filter out sunlight. Leave them up when you park in the sun. These have the added benefit of keeping kids cool in the backseat while you're driving.If you have black leather seats that get scorching hot, install seat covers. A seat cover made with light-colored material will absorb much less heat. Another solution is to throw a white towel over the seat when you park.Crack the windows 1/2 inch when you park so that some heat can escape. Just remember this won't keep the car cool enough to safely leave children or pets in the vehicle.Read the original article on Southern Living