If you've ever traveled by air, you've surely experienced airport security. Before boarding, your luggage is passed through an X-ray machine, and passengers also have to go through a full-body scanner. The purpose of this is to prevent any weapons, explosives, or other dangerous items from being taken onto the plane. This process is completed in just a few seconds, but many passengers often wonder what the security personnel actually see on the screen when they stand inside the scanner. Do full-body scanners show everything through their clothes? Let's find out in detail what appears on the scanner screen and how it works.

How does a full-body scanner work?
Full-body scanners were introduced at airports in the 2000s. They were widely implemented after the 2009 incident involving explosives hidden in underwear on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Nowadays, most airports worldwide use millimeter wave imaging technology. In this technology, electromagnetic waves pass through clothing and bounce back after hitting the skin or hidden objects. The machine interprets these signals and creates a general outline. This is why this technology is considered more effective than metal detectors, as it can detect not only metal but also other objects hidden in clothing.
Why were backscatter machines removed?
Between 2010 and 2013, some airports also used backscatter scanners, which were based on X-ray technology. These machines could show a more detailed image of the body, including private parts, piercings, and even hernias. This is why they were considered a threat to privacy. People feared that their images were being saved. After strong protests from the public at several airports, the use of these machines was discontinued in 2013. Subsequently, privacy filters were added to millimeter wave scanners, so now only a general silhouette is visible.

Can the scanners see through clothing?
The reality is that full-body scanners cannot see through a person's clothes. They only create a human-shaped outline on the screen. If everything is normal, no alert is triggered, and you can proceed. However, if the scanner detects something suspicious, it highlights that particular part of the body. Importantly, these scanners cannot see inside the body.

Are full-body scanners dangerous to health?
Because these scanners use radiation, health concerns are natural. However, according to experts, they use non-ionizing radiation, which is different from and much safer than the ionizing radiation that causes cancer. Scientists say that the radiation from full-body scanners is even less than the radiation received during a flight.

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