Blog About How To Use Sun Blocking Clothing To Protect Your Skin welcomes you to a journey of learning how to protect your skin from the sun.
This Guide to Using Sun-Blocking Clothing to help you become more aware of what you can do. Sometimes this can be done with what you already have in your closet.
When it comes to safeguarding your skin against the harmful effects of the sun, sunscreen alone may fall short.
Sunscreen may not provide the complete protection you need. That’s where sun-blocking clothing comes into play!
In this article, I would like to share how to effectively use sun blocking clothing to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. This will help ensure that you stay safe and enjoy your time outdoors.
So, let’s stop, take a breath, and think about the key steps to protect your skin with this stylish and practical solution!
Chose the Right Fabric
The first step in utilizing sun-blocking clothing is selecting the right fabric. When looking in your closet look for clothing made from tightly woven materials.
A tightly woven fabric like denim, or canvas cloth, is usually sun blocking. The tight weave prevents the sun’s rays from getting through.
Polyester fabrics are usually more tightly woven than natural fabrics. Man-made fabrics block more sun than natural fibers.
One reason natural fabrics are often not as good is because of the bleaching of cotton or linen to clean them. Then there is usually a treatment to get those fabrics to accept color. These treatments weaken the fiber.
So to have a high protection factor for UV rays the tight weave is better.
When looking at UV-rated garments, the higher the number the better.
UV is rated from 0 to 50. This equals almost a total block of the sun.
A garment rated UPF 50 blocks 98% of the sun. That is as safe as you can get without living in a deep dark cave! There are special weaves, dyes, blends, and sealers used to get their protection factor.
They can be lightweight and still block the sun.
Cover Your Skin
Put on clothing to maximize protection. Opt for clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.
Long-sleeved shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses are great options.
Don’t forget to cover your head and neck with wide-brimmed hats or caps that have UPF built-in.
For added protection, consider using sun sleeves or gloves to shield your arms and hands.
Yes, it is really that simple! Just cover your skin!
Check For Fit
Make sure that your sun blocking clothing fits properly. Loose-fitting garments allow for better airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable.
Avoid clothes that are too tight. Tight clothing will reduce the effectiveness of the fabric’s sun-blocking properties.
Look for styles that offer a relaxed and breathable fit. This allows you to enjoy outdoor activities without compromising on protection.
A teeshirt is a good example used in talking about sun protection. A regular new white cotton tee shirt will usually get a rating of about 5 for protection factors.
When it has been washed and dried a few times, the protection will go down as far as a 3 rating. This means that 94% of the sun’s rays will get through to your skin.
You may have 20 minutes before you will start burning in this shirt. Not so good for your skin, but better than no shirt at all.
A new tee shirt that is still thick and has all of its color? It can be a 30 protection factor. At a rate of 30 UFP, you will be protected from about 60% of the sun’s rays, and safe for a longer time before you start getting sunburn.
It does make a difference. Pay attention to the protection that you get so you make better choices.
Layer With a Plan
Layering sun protection is an excellent technique to enhance sun protection.
Combine a sun-blocking shirt with a lightweight pair of long pants for full protection. A wide-brim sun blocking ha, with your UV ray-blocking sunglasses fits you out pretty well.
Just add sunscreen to what is not covered in clothing, to have a safer sun day. Is this suggested for all-day protection? Probably not. All-day protection calls for a better approach. Maybe UPF-rated clothing.
And, don’t forget the sunscreen reapplications every 90 or so minutes.
Accessories Can Help
Along with clothing, accessories play a crucial role in shielding your skin.
Your UV-blocking sunglasses safeguard your eyes and the delicate skin around them. The oversized lens in a wraparound style offers more protection for your eyes.
Additionally, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to any exposed areas of skin, such as your face, neck, and hands. Combining these accessories with sun-blocking clothing provides comprehensive protection.
Time It Right
While sun-blocking clothing provides an extra layer of defense, it’s still important to time your outdoor activities wisely.
Seek shade and limit your sun exposure during peak hours, typically between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.
By combining sensible timing with sun-blocking clothing, you can ensure maximum protection for your skin.
Sun-blocking clothing is a fantastic tool to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
By choosing the right fabrics, covering your skin. Ensuring a proper fit and layering strategically. Accessorizing wisely, you can enjoy the outdoors while keeping your skin safe.
Remember, it’s not just about staying stylish; it’s about prioritizing your skin’s health.
So, gear up with sun-blocking clothing, embrace the sunshine responsibly, and keep your skin radiant and protected all year round!
As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized the mistakes I made in the past and the consequences they’ve had on my family’s skin, as well as my own.
As a Parent
As a parent, I’ve seen my kids mature into adults and start facing their own skin problems.
Through my research and experiences, I’ve learned that skin damage from the sun is accumulative and can lead to serious issues such as skin cancer.
I believe that knowledge is power, and I want to empower others to take steps to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Focusing not only on special occasions when sun protection is typically prioritized. But also on the everyday lifestyle habits that can contribute to skin damage.
Helping you know when to use clothing from your closet, and when special clothing would be better.
Knowing when to use sun blocking clothing as an effective protective measure can help safeguard our skin in the long term.
Practical Suggestions for Your Skin
While it may be too late to reverse the damage to my own skin, I’m committed to preventing further damage and helping others do the same.
I believe that by setting an example along with promoting sun-safe habits, we can make a positive impact. A positive impact on the health of our skin and the well-being of our loved ones.
This is a blog about how to use regular clothing from the closet as well as sun blocking clothing to protect your skin from the sun. It is to share the things I didn’t know or knew and didn’t do. Those careless times are catching up with me.
Change the path for you and your family. Make sure you have healthier skin,.
Thank you for visiting my blog and being a part of this important conversation about skin protection from the sun. Let’s work together to create a sun-safe lifestyle for ourselves and our families.
The whole idea is to help make others aware of what I learned as I saw my kids mature into adults and start having skin problems.
I am hoping they will also turn to this site to find out what I didn’t do or teach them to do for themselves.
Time is a great equalizer, and since skin damage by the sun is an accumulative issue, time reveals its secrets.
Skin Cancer Is The Reason To Avoid Too Much Sun
Sorry, you don’t always get what you thought you wanted. I know, you ordered a nice even tan when you headed out to work in the yard.
However, that sunburn that appeared on your shoulders was something else.
Will this be the time that will cause your DNA to be destroyed? Will you be calling your dermatologist? How come this time you didn’t get away with the careless day at the ballpark watching the kids practice?
Find out more about why we need those sun blocking shirts. There is a basic formula for skin protection. Along with some lifestyle changes, cover up! Clothing and sunscreen will help your skin stay healthy.
You just need to know when to use what!
Just Observation
This site is nearly 3 years old. By continuing to research and learn I know that I have a lot more to share than I did that day in July 2020 when my site went live.
When I see people everywhere I go, carelessly exposing their skin to the sun, I know there is still much to do.
Usually, it is our everyday lifestyle that gets us in trouble with the sun. Many seem to have gotten the message about the sun’s danger for special occasions, at the beach, fishing trips, hiking, and canoeing.
Special occasions are important, and you need to protect your skin when out during special times. It’s still the everyday sun exposure that gets people in trouble.
Your every day is what this blog will concentrate on.
How do you protect your skin every day? Is your lifestyle sun safe? Have you taken your first steps for a sun-safe life?
Sami’s Take On Blog About How To Use Sun Blocking Clothing To Protect Your Skin
While many of us of a “certain age” can attest and relate to growing up unaware of how dangerous the sun is to our skin, don’t feel it is too late.
It may be too late to do any more than prevent further damage for yourself. But help your family be better prepared. Seeing you protecting your skin will help them realize it is important.
Get some better sun protection habits going, along with some better lifestyle habits that will help guard your families skin in the future. There are some things you can do.
Thank you,
Sami
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a dermatologist or healthcare professional for personalized guidance on sun protection.