Do You Have Questions About Sun Blocking Clothing?

Do You Have Questions About Sun Blocking Clothing? I do too, and apparently, we aren’t the only ones.

A little tongue in cheek is reflected in this image about “sun blocking” clothing. However, if you have questions about sunblocking clothing, you wonder if there is more to it than getting clothes between you and the sun?

While anything between you and the sun is helping to block the sun off your skin. Some garments do a better job than others. How do you know which are better?

This article was written to help you become aware of the need to protect your skin. As well as help you think through the different ideas and reasons for you and your lifestyle needs for skin protection from the sun.

We are all individuals and have different needs. Learning when and where you may need sun protection will help you make better choices about the sun blocking clothing you invest in.

What Do The Labels On Sun Blocking Clothing Tell Me?

What Do Those UPF Clothing Labels Mean? Some use the words Sun Protective Clothing? Sun Guard Clothing? Then there is Sun Safe Clothing? What are these different kinds of clothing?

Many of these clothing labels are merely the manufacturing companies’ logos or names for their sun blocking clothing. This is to let you know that this garment has extra features beyond the normal ones you expect.

Clothing that has the Ultraviolet Protection Factor or UPF rating is becoming more well known in the past few years. They are being featured in mainstream clothing retail. Consumers have become aware that there are more ways to protect our skin from the sun beyond sunscreen.

We are seeing many different brands popping up with their warnings about too much sun, and the problems that we need to avoid. Athletic brands like Nike and Columbia are offering different kinds and brands. Lots of outdoor brands of clothing offer excellent features in sun blocking clothing. Walmart offers a nice assortment of sun blocking clothing for our skin protection.

From moisture-wicking and under-arm vents in shirts, as well as finger holes in the cuffs of a long sleeve to slip your fingers in. This makes it easier to cover and protect the lower wrist and back of your hands. The selection of ways you can protect your skin with clothing keeps growing.

So, What’s A UPF Rating? Why Do You Care?

What is a UPF rating?

UPF rating is used for clothing. It is the garment version of sunscreen SPF. This number tells you how well this particular fabric will absorb and block UV rays from your skin.

This matters, because? The sun’s UV rays can get through some of your clothing. Regular clothes from your closet are better than nothing, but the sun can get through most of them pretty easily. The sun is relentless. Unless you take some protection steps, you will experience sunburn if you spend time out in the sun.

Learn how to make better clothing choices for you and your family. Keep them safer in the sun. Reading labels is very important in this move to take better care of your skin.

This is an easy way to keep the UPF factor straight in your mind:

Under 15 UPF- no extra protection- you can just wear your old tee shirt and be as well protected from the sun!

A rating of 15 to 24 will offer good protection. You might feel safe wearing this level of protection for a few hours unless you are at high risk for sunburn. Do you know your sunburn risk?

Following up, a 25 to 39 UPF rating will give very good protection.

With a 40 to 50 UPF rating, you have as good as you can get in UPF. If you have a 50 UPF this means you should be safe all day in the sun. For example, a piece of clothing with a 50 UPF rating means that only 1/50, or only 2% of any possible radiation will be able to pass through it.

You do have to wear the 50-rated garment, hanging on the back of your chair doesn’t work!

Do You Need Sun Blocking Clothing?

So, Ok, now you understand more about how to read the labels of sun blocking clothing. But, do I need special clothing?

We all know that protecting our skin from the sun’s harmful rays is always the best idea. These sun blocking clothes can offer you one more line of defense. Defending your skin from the sun.

Testing to determine a fabric’s UV-blocking capability is still relatively new. Australia is leading the way for the standards and requirements.

The US Is Getting Closer To Regulating UPF Clothing

Clothing manufacturers in the US are aware. They know that the creditability of their sun blocking clothing business is based on the quality of their UPF-rated clothing. Even though not yet heavily regulated, it is important to have high standards.

With the rating system not regulated at this time in the US, manufacturers have too much at stake to risk the company’s reputation by making false claims. Few clothing makers would claim a piece of clothing is UV-protected unless it meets the above rating scale.

This is why it is important to buy from reputable sites or businesses. We always run into the problem of fake sun blocking clothing. Know who you are buying from.

Just remember this fact for your future purchases.

Use Clothing From Your Closet For Protecting Your Skin From The Sun

Let’s talk about using your common sense about what is in your closet that can protect your skin from the sun.

Just because a garment is not UPF-rated doesn’t mean it has no place in your skin protection plan. Even if there is no UPF information or special claims on its labeling, that garment still may offer some level of protection from the sun.

For example, a plain white kind of new t-shirt can have a UPF of 8. A pair of dark jeans usually have a UPF of 50+. So if you’re dressing to stay sun-safe, you can still protect yourself during a morning of gardening or when you’re out and about in the sun.

Use these 5 guidelines to determine how much protection you are getting from your regular clothing by paying attention to these parts of your clothing’s structure:

1. Tightly Woven Fabric

How Tightly The Fabric Is Woven?
Do you know what weave is?

When considering garments from your existing closet, the weave is important. This is what determines how well the fabric will block out UV rays. The tighter woven the fabric is, the fewer UV rays will be able to penetrate through to your skin. Hold the fabric up between you and the bright light of the sun. If you can see tiny pinpricks of light, UV radiation will be able to get to your skin.

2. Out Grown Garments

How does the particular garment fit?
A loose-fitting long sleeve shirt of a tightly woven fabric is more protective than tighter-fitting knit shirts. Tight-fitting clothing is stretched and will allow UV radiation to penetrate the garment.

Think denim, chambray, or blended weaves. A lined garment will offer added protection but will be warmer to wear in hot weather. Stretchy fabrics that fit loosely and are tightly woven will protect you. Check for pinpricks of light getting through.

Clothing needs to be loose-fitting if worn in warmer seasons of the year. The heat that is absorbed needs to be able to escape your body. A loose fit allows air to flow around your body.

Think about the loose-fitting robes worn in the hotter desert parts of our world. As the person moves about the air can remove the heat from their body if the garment is loosely fitted.

If it is tightly fitted, you will be sweating!

3. Does Color Matter?

What about color and sun reflection effect on skin protection from the sun?
The darker the color, the better the UV protection. Darker colors like black, navy and brown can absorb more UV rays than lighter colors. Deep shades of red, green, or orange will also absorb the rays that will cause sunburn.

Whites and light colors reflect the UV rays, as long as the fabric is tightly woven. Otherwise, some very damaging Ultraviolet rays will get through to your skin.

Beware of very lightweight fabrics, unless they are specially treated or constructed. If you chose to wear fun lightweight clothing that will not protect your skin, layer up with sunscreen.

Make sure to correctly apply sunscreen. And reapply often, even under your clothing. Stay in the shade, and use umbrellas if no shade is available. Stay under awnings and the shades of buildings and trees. Don’t be out in the bright sun.

Wear lightweight light-colored clothing in the evening and at night. Also early mornings, before 10 AM. Staying safe from sunburn is not so hard if you are aware of how to protect yourself and your family.

Or, just make it a point to stay out of the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM during the hotter time of the year. Keep your children out of the sun during these hotter hours as well. They can play in the early morning hours and later in the afternoons.

4. Worn Clothing From Your Closet May Not Protect Your Skin Very Much.

The protection you get from your clothing will change after a while just from the wear and laundering. After a while, the garment’s ability to protect your skin will change.

For example, if a garment is faded, stretched, or worn out, it may not work as well for protecting you from the sun.

Wet clothes will also offer less protection from the sun. Have you sweated your tee shirt down? If so, you have lost your sunblocking power. Getting to the shade while your shirt dries is a good idea, or remove it and apply a generous amount of sunscreen.

If you are wearing clothes from your closet, remember that having a loose fit is very important. We are in a fashion time of close-fitting clothing. Men and women both wear closer fitting clothing in this world today. However, that will mean you will be warmer while in the sun.

Loose-fitting clothing gives you breathing room. You need room for some air to move around your body. This allows your body to cool, and dry as well when you sweat down. Remember how good it feels to pull out your shirt when it has been tucked into a pair of tight jeans?

Being comfortable while blocking the sun is important. You will not want to wear your sun blocking shirt if it makes you hot and sweaty. Your kids will be removing their shirts as well. Make sure they can wear the shirt so it can protect their bodies. Your shirt covers the trunk of your body. That is a good amount of skin!

You can wear regular clothes from your closet to protect your skin from sun damage, you just need to remember some of these suggestions to make sure you are not being careless The sun is dangerous.

Thinking About Shirts You Have Already Have In Your Closet

1. Polyester and wool fabrics will provide UV protection of about 30. The downside is that they are fabrics that don’t breathe. This makes them especially hot under the sun! If you have a favorite, check the label to decide if this one is a good one for your sun blocking shirt.
2. Cotton, linen, and viscose are examples of fabrics that offer poor UV protection, unless specially treated. The protection ranges between 5 to 25 UPF, which may be enough to avoid sunburn, but the accumulated sun exposure may lead to skin damage, which sets you up for skin cancer. 
3. Luminosa fabrics (an example of special fabric branding, there are many brands) offer UV Protection of  50+. This assures you that less than 1/50 of UV rays, or only 2% can pass through the fabric. This protects your skin from all harmful UV rays while retaining softness and breathability.

Obviously, this comfort of wear is what the special fabrics bring. It is important to be comfortable. This assures that we will wear our sun blocking shirts and keep our skin comfortable.

How Long Will My New UPF Shirt Last?

Now that you have your new sun blocking shirt, how long will it keep you safe from the sun?

We have only discussed the numbers of the sun protection level of the clothing when new. If your garment is cared for as the label directs, you should have a good life from the item.

According to the customer service department of Coolibar brand, most garments have a life of 2 years if it is properly cared for. Other brands have about 30 laundry times. It is important to follow the label directions.

Garments will also be less protective if they show wear. If you have been wearing a backpack or a “fanny belt” you may have spots on your shirts where you have worn the fabric some. Your back could get a sunburn through those spots.

Do you tie your shirt around your waist by the sleeves? This can cause some wear in the sleeves and weak spots in the fabric that will mean sunburn on your arms.

You can enjoy your UPF clothing, just pay attention. You have paid extra money for the extra features. Help them to work for you.

How Does The Fabric Become Sun Blocking Fabric?

So, what does the manufacturer do to make the fabric sun blocking fabric actually do what they promise?

1. Fabrics That Have Dye Added
   They can be coated with colorless dyes, kind of like a sealer to help block out the UV rays. The process is done during the manufacturing making it a longer-lasting treatment for the fabric. Unfortunately, this process is not eco-friendly, and the chemicals typically began to wash out after a few laundry cycles. This process is improving and becoming more permanent as the manufacturers find out how to increase their product’s ability, and add more time to the protection.
2. Tightly woven or especially fabrics.
   The second most used process to make a fabric UPF 50+ is to make sure the fabric is tightly woven. The tighter the weave, the better the fabric will offer you the UV protection your skin needs. Remember, the holes in between the fibers allow sunlight to get through to your skin.
3. Luminous fabrics, a term for newer fabrics that are combining the knowledge of fabric manufacturing into different methods of clothing production. This third process, which is the manufacturers using the special processes to end up with a lighter weight fabric. Luminous fabric resolves the problem of having to choose between comfort and UV blocking. These kinds of UPF materials are the ones you can find in the more expensive UPF clothing brands.

One remark I often hear is that the garments are hot. Remember, protecting you from the sun and keeping you cooler are two different procedures. Yes, a shirt may still be hot and cause you to sweat, but protect you from the sun.

Just as a shirt may feel cool, but give you all but zero Sun Protection. Like that favorite worn-out white tee shirt.

The most common fabrics with these tight weaves are denim and polyester.

In central Texas, who wants to wear these heavy and uncomfortable normal fabrics during the hot summer months?

You do until you can get a sun blocking shirt with the new lighter-weight fabrics! Something is better than nothing.

Remembering Why We Are Discussing Sun Blocking Fabric

Making the whole idea of protecting your skin from the sun something we can do is important. Covering up is the first step. This makes the choices in kinds of fabrics important. If you don’t wear sun blocking clothing when you are out in the sun, it will not help. Putting clothing on your skin is what protects you from the sun.

Sunscreen will help some, if you get it on correctly, reapply after swimming or sweating, and who doesn’t like trying to get sunscreen on a sweaty arm or face? Yes, we need sunscreen. Alone it just hasn’t done the job. We all need the clothing layer, even those who think they don’t need it.

The Basics Of The Fabric That Makes Sun Protective Clothing Work

The level of skin protection from the sun that is provided by a fabric made into a garment is determined by the weave, the color, and the thickness. The stretch is also important as is whether the fabric is wet or dry.

The two exceptions to keeping your sun blocking shirt dry are if the fabric is silk or viscose. These fabrics usually retain their ability to protect your skin at a decent level if wet. However, neither of these fibers are preferred for comfort and protection, unless blended with another good dense sun blocking fiber.

Polyester contains a benzene ring that absorbs UV light naturally. Some manufacturers add UV absorbers at different stages in the manufacturing process to produce higher levels of protection.

According to Wikipedia, one chemical company, BASF embedded nanoparticles of titanium dioxide into a nylon fabric, which can be used for sun protective clothing that maintains its UV protection when wet. New methods are being found, and older processes examined and refined to help us stay safe from the sun.

Can I Add Fabric Brighteners To Make My Sun Blocking Shirt Work Better And Last Longer?

There have been some studies using fabric brighteners in the laundry cycle. These studies are indicating that washing fabrics in detergents containing fabric brighteners, which absorb UV radiation, might increase the garment’s protective capability.

The color brighteners treat the threads the fabric is woven from, making the threads larger around, you know, kind of like me, fluffy!

They fill more space and give a tighter weave because they are thicker. This is said to last through several laundry cycles and improves the overall ability of the garment to block the UV rays from our skin.

If you have a family, using these products on the favorites in their wardrobe already will help make the shirts they have to do a better job of protecting their skin.

Buying a UPF wardrobe for a family all at one time can get expensive. To say nothing of how a laundry treatment will help hand-me-downs.

With new technology, the textiles designed for the sole purpose of UV blocking, are not as easy to rate. It can make it difficult to judge the UV protection level simply by holding up the fabric and examining how much visible light passes on through the shirt.

Yes, Improved Manufacturing Can Produce Fabric That Is Easier To Wear

These new fabrics can also provide more protection when designed into sun blocking clothing.

• These specially manufactured fabrics can be easy to wear.
• By combining cotton viscose with other fabrics, the design and weight of the garments better fit your needs.
• The old favorite of black or dark blue denim jeans can remain a part of the mix.
• Wool can be combined with other fabrics allowing breathable clothing.
• We can have satin-finished silk of any weight to offer variety in our sun blocking clothing.
• Innovation has made it possible to have tightly woven Bamboo/Lycra fabric for protecting our skin from the sun. (I love how this fabric feels)
• Blended fibers such as polyacrylonitrile allow more style design freedom.
• Even 100% polyester, a great sun blocking fabric can be given extra protection power when manufacturers combine it with other fibers.
• We can still have our tightly woven fabrics, especially good for long pants and shorts.
• With most of the cotton fabric going through a bleaching treatment to make it more attractive, new methods can produce more attractive unbleached cotton garments by being able to blend in the manufacturing or treat with special sealers.

These are the kinds of fabrics and blended fabrics that produce better protection for your skin.

These Fabrics Offer Less Sun Protection

Be leery of wearing the following list of fabrics in the daytime. Know there will be less skin protection from the sun if your shirt is:

• Polyester crepe is a fabric I really enjoy but will be better in the late afternoon or evening when I don’t need sun protection help.
• The late afternoon or nighttime wear will be better for bleached cotton shirts. Evening or night, as well as winter when there will be layers to protect me from the sun.
• This fabric is usually in a fun garment, so now that I know that viscose doesn’t protect me from very much sun unless combined with other fibers.
• Knits are not a good choice unless made from specially treated fibers. Knits also tend to fit tighter, causing the fabric to be stretched. Be aware.
• While you may love your undyed or white jeans, remember that the dye acts as an extra barrier to the sun because the treads that make up the fabric are fatter and more tightly woven. With white, you only have fabric, making white jeans better for nighttime wear.
• Clothes you already have are often worn. Or the fabric is older and washed and thinner in spots. These should not be considered for wearing in the bright sun when UV rays are stronger. Save the comfy old clothes to put on after a long day in the sun. When the sun is no longer so dangerous.

Do You Have Your Sun Blocking Hat?

The World Health Organization has declared that continuous exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun causes harmful effects on your skin, eyes, and immune system.

The immune system was a surprise to me. I can see the results of sunburn. However, the immune system is slower to show you the results of too much sun, at least for me.

Wearing a hat that gives good UV protection is an important preventative measure to help reduce these risks. Yes, sun blocking hats are considered “sun blocking clothing.” When I first started learning about protecting my skin from the sun, I was not as aware of the importance of hats.

It is well-established evidence that exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun can lead to skin cancer.

Wide-brimmed hats, like bucket hats with wide brims and legionnaire-style hats, are effective methods of keeping the sun off your head, ears, face, and neck. Due to the effects of reflective UV rays, hats alone may leave you with unprotected skin in some areas.

Applying sunscreen will help with the skin on your head, face, neck, hose, and ears. Thinking back to when my family was younger, we certainly could have benefited from sunscreen.

However, I remember my Dad who wore hats, tightly woven straw hats on the long days on the tractor in the sun. He was tan but rarely sunburned.

Hats offer a good bit of protection and allow the breeze to cool your skin. They are an important part of your sun blocking wardrobe. In fact, they are the 2nd most important.

Do you know what the most important sun protection is? Your sunglasses!

Your Sun Blocking Wardrobe

The World Health Organization says we need a combination of sun blocking clothing and sunscreen to keep our skin safe. Sunscreen manufacturers would have you believe that you only need sunscreen.

Research is proving that wise use of both clothing and sunscreen gives our skin the best protection when exposed to the sun’s rays.

So your sunglasses and your sun hat are the 2 most important items of sun blocking clothing. With a good full-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF and a sun hat with at least a 3-inch wide brim, you will have the start of your sun blocking wardrobe.

If you find that you are usually in situations of being around water or lots of reflective surfaces like beach sand, applying sunscreen to your face and neck are important. Your nose is also vernable. Protect it every way you can.

Obviously, your sunglasses and hat will combine to do a better job of blocking the sun. Keeping you safer from sunburn. Just those 2 items and you are on your way when combining with sunscreen.

How Is A Sun Blocking Hat Made?

The better sun has will be made of a tightly woven fabric. This can be straw if it is woven tightly. Canvas cloth is good for bucket-style hats. Make sure it is comfortable because if it isn’t it won’t get much wear. You do have to wear your hat to have the protection you need.

Your sun hats are your first line of defense against the direct sun. However, when it is cloudy there is more indirect and scattered solar UVR. These reflective or indirect and scattered UV rays are why you will need sunscreen as well.

Think about when you are in the boat on the water and you will understand why you need sunscreen too. Especially for the younger kids using sunscreen and a sun-blocking hat is important.

Reflections from the beach sand, from the cement around a pool, or from a building around a play area for your kids can cause sunburn quickly.

Although sun blocking hats and sunglasses are helpful, a combination of the five sun-protective measures will be more effective working together when you or your kids are outside between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Your sun blocking shirt is item # 3, with long pants or long skirts # 4. Sunscreen rounds out your skin protection.

The Design Of Your Sun Hat And The Protection You Get

The amount of protection provided for different areas of your face can vary. Protecting your nose, forehead, cheeks, neck, and ears will vary significantly depending upon the type of hat and the design.

For example, broad-brimmed hats for adults with a brim of 3 inches or more do a better job of shading more of your facial areas than baseball caps.

Caps provide reasonable protection to the scalp, as long as the fabric is tightly woven. Your forehead and nose also get protected fairly well, but there is almost no protection to your neck and ears. Then there is the “Key Hole” the adjustment strap makes.

Awareness of how you are exposing your skin to the dangers of the sun will help you make better decisions for protecting yourself. Covering your skin during the hotter times of the day is so important. This will pay off with healthier skin and fewer skin cancers as you go through life.

What Is The Best Sun Protective Shirt?

After your sunglasses, and your sun blocking hat, let’s look in your closet for your sun blocking shirt.

So, you are still reading, and you realize the importance of clothing and protecting your skin from the sun. We have been tanning addicts long enough. The sun can cause some real problems with your skin.

Check out the shirt you have to protect you from the sun.

It has to be a tightly woven fabric. You will need long sleeves. Don’t forget the loosely fitting part of a good sun blocking shirt. A darker color is usually better than a lighter one. The whole concept is really simple.

We just have to cover up. Keep the sun off our skin. Yes, if your shirt isn’t tightly woven, you could sunburn through the material! And yes, that kind of skin damage will also cause skin cancer.

The best sun protection shirt? Usually, it is one you will wear.

This is what makes the UPF shirts worth the money. The shirt may be easier to wear in the sun if it is a breathable lightweight fabric.

Until you get that shirt, please make the best decision you can with what is in your closet.

Safe Fun In The Sun

Let us consider some facts that can allow you and your family to stay healthy and safer from the sun. This is important for everyone to think about as they are considering spending time in the sun.

It is quickly becoming summer here in central Texas. We are in a serious drought and need rain. The weather people are predicting more days of near 100* or more.

When considering the summer league ball games, encourage the coaches to hold practice times after 4 PM. Few coaches can schedule practice times in the early morning for our younger kids. They all have jobs and so coaching comes after work.

Saturday games are often a challenge with the sun getting so hot. When your child is practicing or playing, stay for the time your child is there. Help the coaches watch for the signs of too much heat with your child, and teammates. The coaches are watching, but often little signs will catch the attention of parents quicker.

Have water for you and your family during these sessions. You need to stay hydrated also, even if you are “just watching.”

For me, hats, sunglasses, and a loose-fitting long sleeve shirt are important.

You need your sunglasses and sun hats. Remember a sun blocking shirt. It may be after the hotter time of day, but seldom is there any shade.

When going to the river, is a popular activity around here as long as the river is running. Taking your sun blocking basics will allow more fun for all because you won’t be sick from sunburn when you protect your skin.

Nothing ruins a fun outing like sunburn. Treating sunburn is important, and can offer complications. Know what you are dealing with. Prepare ahead and be ready. Staying safe is easier when you have more awareness of how dangerous a nap in the direct sun can be.

When you know that shade and hydration are life-saving and usually easily available. Being aware will allow you to prepare for time in the sun and stay safe.

You will sunburn quicker if you don’t stay hydrated. Drinking water, moving into the shade. Such simple steps when you are aware.

Building Your Sun Prevention Wardrobe

When you are ready to invest in sun prevention clothing, reading labels is very important. You need to know what to expect from your new sun blocking clothing. Knowing the limitations is equally important. Don’t assume that it will do what you need to do. The label will keep you informed.

Do you wonder about having swimsuits that have UV protection? When you are in the water, you aren’t able to stay dry! Most swimsuit labels warn about losing some of the sun protection when wet.

However, if you wear your swimsuit a lot out of the pool, this might be a good buy for you. I would rather put my money on a UV-treated coverup. That would have me covered before and after times in the pool.

Obviously, tanning is not how I would be spending my time. So think about how you spend your outdoor time. How do you get your exposure to the sun? Do you participate in a sport that has you out during the dangerous times of day, from 10 AM to 4 PM?

Think about what you are putting your money into for your sun protection wardrobe.

Here Is Where My Sun Blocking Wardrobe Dollars Will Be Going

As I am at a different time in my life from most of you needing protection, that protection is easier. My family is all grown with children of their own.

I help in the yard some, so I need a tightly woven hat with at least a 3-inch-wide brim. A pair of UV blocking sunglasses, and a loosely-fitting long sleeve shirt of a tightly woven fabric or a UV-resistant treated material. Gloves for the backs of my hands.

We don’t stay out in the heat like we are having this year here in the hill country of Central Texas. We are also in a drought so outside is not getting much attention. If things don’t change soon, the water restrictions will go into effect. Watering a yard is not on our agenda.

Attending a little league baseball game or a football game will be my outside times for this summer. There my sun hat, sunglasses, and shirt will be my go-to’s. If possible we will have an umbrella or two as well. Limited time out in the direct sun also is a part of the plan.

When I am faithful to my walking program, I walk very early. Walking after 8:AM in the hotter times of the year doesn’t happen. However, I started that before I knew that the sun could be so dangerous.

Think about how your daily life goes, and when and where you will need protection from the sun. I am so grateful to not have to depend on sunscreen alone!

What Fabrics Block The Sun? Let’s Talk About Shirts First

Thinking about fabric is important for sun blocking shirts and clothing. I like to sew, and love fabrics. However, some are just naturally better than others for protecting your skin.

4. How Long Does Your Clothing Continue To Protect Your Skin?

Understanding more about the fabrics part of the sunblocking clothing will help you make better decisions about what you already have in your closet. There are probably some garments already hanging there that can help keep your skin safe.

The best sun blocking fabric is tightly woven, and a darker color. Think cotton denim or a blended poly-cotton. To get the denim weave, the manufacturer uses a very tight weave. The fabrics are tightly woven, with the treads very close together. Cotton is sturdy and withstands wear.

However, there will still be signs of wear. Today’s fashion of distressed denim will not protect your legs or body as well as the regular denim. The places that show distress will allow more sun through because those places are not as strong as the regular fabric is.

Many fabrics can block some of the sun’s harmful rays because they are naturally resistant to fading from sunlight exposure. Some materials are just naturally better for sun safety than others.

You will need to make wiser decisions, now that you know how important it is to protect your skin. The wisest decision will be to stay out of the mid-day sun. If you have to work out in the mid-day sun, at least stay in the shade when possible.

Hi, glad you stopped in.

I am a curator of this product-related content. I am performing the research and sharing the information so that you in your busy life don’t have to take the time to do it. Is an arduous task, and may not be as interesting to you as it is to me

Hopefully, you can use some of the information to make better decisions for yourself and your family. Protecting our skin from the sun is important.

Sami’s Take On Do You Have Questions About Sun Blocking Clothing?

My path of learning about the dangers of the sun is daily finding new practical experiences. And these experiences carry through the years when we really didn’t know so much about the dangers of the sun. We were just learning about the damage we were causing because we were not paying attention to protecting our skin.

How has your learning experience gone as you have learned about the dangers of the sun? Are you practicing safer sun habits?

Are you covering your skin? Wearing sun blocking sunglasses? Make sure to grab your sun blocking hat at you go out to the garden, or even to a ball game? Are you making sure to keep yourself extra protected between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM in the more direct times of the year?

Are you adding sunscreen every day? I am glad to say, this has finally become a habit, I don’t have to remember it. I did have to try more than one product to get a sunscreen that works for me on a daily basis.

Even with what I have learned while digging through all this information about why we should be more aware, I often found myself outside without what I needed.

My sunglasses and hat were easier to remember as the sun is so bright and I didn’t drive without them. However, before going to the yard to push wheelbarrows of dry oak leaves to the back where we pile them for more drying. I didn’t always remember. It just took some reminding myself.

Don’t give up on yourself. Give yourself credit for what you do get right.

Think about all those sunburns you avoided because you protected your skin. Keep moving forward and keeping yourself and your family safe from the sun