How To Improve Your Sun Block Clothing
Do you know how to improve your sun block clothing? Even if you are using what you already have, improve your protection by using your clothing correctly.
In an ideal world, we’d be careful and make sure to use sun protection for our skin all the time. We would be aware of too much sun. The sun block lotion would be slapped on every square inch of your skin and rubbed in well. You would have your sun hat, sunglasses, sun block shirt.
We will remember to reapply the sunscreen or sun block lotion every two hours! Right, me either!
But for most of us, this sunscreen and sun block lotion routine? Impossible to stay up with, in our real everyday world. What about my young kids? Learn about sun block clothing and its place in your plan.
You, In UPF Clothing Looking Good
You can now be better protected. Thanks to an explosion of new brands and fabrics, this safe UPF clothing is comfier and more stylish than ever.
That’s where sun block clothing comes in. It is wearable protection that protects your skin from sun damage. You know those hard to reach spots on your back? Sun block clothing is there too!
In the past social setting seems to have more to do with our inclination to cover our bodies than concern for sun protection. This seems to make more difference than the location.
So we are learning and changing. but slowly. We need to protect our skin from too much sun, regardless of the social setting. Becoming aware of how to use what you have and the sun blocking clothing to allow your skin to stay healthy.
How does sun block clothing work?
Sun-protective clothing acts as a barrier between you and the sun’s rays, much like sunscreen.
There is a direct correlation between your exposure to harmful UV rays and your chances of developing skin cancer.
Jeremy Brauer, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) shares, “Clothing, in general, has some sun protection,” he explains. These new sun block brands “bump that up significantly higher.”
Hats and sunglasses are also a must, he notes.
Spending the day outside and keeping up with your sunscreen reapplying every two hours? Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D. shares, “Sun-protective clothing adds convenience. The other huge factor is coverage.”
Start At The Top Of Your Head, Wear A Hat
Protect yourself against wrinkles and skin cancer, and look cool at the beach. Start by wearing a great sunblocking hat whenever you’re outside. Hats are a perfect partner for your UV-filtering sunglasses.
Add a broad-spectrum sunscreen or sunblock lotion to protect your face.
Wonder what to look for in a sun-safe hat? Use these suggestions for the answer:
WIDE BRIM
The best hats for sun protection have a brim of at least three to three and a half inches. You will need to shade your face, your scalp and neck, shoulders and upper back. There are also these easily overlooked places like the tops of the ears and back of the neck.
Yes, I have done that for me and my kids. Have you?
A Tightly Woven Material In The Hat
Dermatologists also tell us to look for a tightly woven sun blocking hat. A loosely constructed straw hat that lets in too many UV rays.
Hold your hat up between you and a strong light source or the sun. If you see pinpricks of light coming through, those rays will also find your skin. This is better than nothing, but if you can get a tightly woven hat to get better protection.
Why Hats Are So Important
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas account for about 90 per cent of all skin cancers and often appear on the head, face, neck, nose, forehead, throat and ears.
Your head is the place the sun hits first. It reaches your head first when you are outside between 10 AM and 4 PM. Don’t delay making sure you are protected.
Do You Remember What UPF Means?
Sunblocking clothing is measured in UPF. This is what we call the ultraviolet protection factor. The UPF gives us the rates of its ability to block against both UVA and UVB light.
This is similar to SPF, the rating system for sunscreen. A UPF 50 rating, means that only 1/50th (or 2%) of UV radiation will pass through a garment.
There is no UPF rating below 15 because anything lower is not considered to be especially sun-protective. A typical white t-shirt that has been washed and worn a good bit offers about UPF 7 sun protection.
The SCF only recommends clothing with a UPF rating of 30 or above. Anything with UPF 50 or above is considered excellent.
For Active People
Sun-protective gear is especially helpful with kids, who are tough to keep sunscreen and sun block lotion on. If you or your kids are active, you may wash away your SPF sunscreen getting in and out of the water or if you are sweating.
Sun Blocking clothing is for people with a history of skin cancer. If you work outside regularly you will benefit from wearing sun blocking clothing.
For everyone else, it’s one less hoop to jump through before a day at the beach, in the park, or on a boat.
Pick the best sun protective clothing for you
Pay attention to the weave:
Tightly woven fabric is better for blocking UV light. This is also important for warm weather-friendly synthetic fibers. These fibers have fewer micro spaces between threads. Looser cotton, on the other hand, is much less protective.
Choose your color and material wisely.
Certain fabrics also protect against UV light, some let it pass through. Unbleached cotton is great at absorbing harmful rays. Shiny materials like polyester and silk can even reflect them. Darker colors absorb more rays than lighter ones.
What Sun Block Item Will You Actually Wear?
You can find sun-protective clothing that covers every inch of your body. For some people, that’s the right option.
Make sure you should pick something you’ll actually wear. It’s really about what’s most comfortable for you.
Be prepared to use sunscreen wherever you aren’t covered.
Choose sun blocking clothing that protects your shoulders, back, and arms. You need the extra coverage of sunscreen for your neck and chest, two places people often forget about using sunscreen.
Now you know what to look for in the best sun-protective clothing.
A Quick Review Of What Makes Clothing Sun Safe?
Your clothing shields you from the sun.
Not all fabrics and colors provide equal protection.
You have plenty of options.
When shopping for apparel to shield you from harmful rays, keep these factors in mind:
Color: Dark or bright colors keep UV rays from reaching your skin by absorbing them rather than allowing them to get through to your skin.
Densely woven cloth: Think denim, canvas, wool or synthetic fibers. Less protective are sheer, thin or loosely woven cloth. Check a fabric’s sun safety by holding it up to the light. If you can see through, UV radiation can easily penetrate the fabric and reach your skin.
Composition: Unbleached cotton contains natural lignins that act as UV absorbers. Shiny polyesters and even lightweight satiny silks can be highly protective because they reflect radiation. High-tech fabrics that are treated with special finishes will protect well.
Choose For Comfort,Safety, and Apperance
For those days in the sun be ready. Those days can feel awfully good but come with a potentially steep price.
This is a reminder that you must be aware and pay attention to protecting your skin from the most harmful rays of the sun.
Science proves that our earth’s naturally protective ozone layer is diminishing. We are less protected from and more exposed to the sun’s harmful rays.
That’s why it is extremely important to pay close attention to how much time you actually spend in the sun. It is easy to underestimate.
Your effects of overexposure are cumulative and they add up over time. Sun exposure is responsible for skin cancer as well as 80–95% of your skins premature ageing. This means that even as little as 15 minutes of exposure on a daily basis can be dangerous, especially for more delicate and sensitive skins.
A Quick Reminder About What Sun Exposure For Your Skin Is
Exposure, I’m not just talking about being outside in the direct sun.
Maybe you think you’re protected if you spend most daylight hours inside? Think again, especially if you drive more than 15 minutes a day!
Even though you’re in a car, you need protection from the UVA rays that come through the windows (UVB is blocked, preventing sunburn).
And if you think being under a beach umbrella means you don’t need sunblock, you’re wrong again. While shade is better than direct sun, harmful rays bounce from the sand all around you. You just can’t see or feel them.
With all the possible ways you take care of yourself, from diet and exercise to facials and massage. Using sunblock should top the list.
Sami’s Take On How To Improve Your Sun Block Clothing
Your clothing can look great and absorbs or block harmful UV radiation. This is still one of the most effective forms of protection against sun damage and skin cancer.
Sun-protective clothing is the simplest way to stay safe; unlike sunscreen, you never need to reapply!
The long term effect of wearing your sun block clothing can help avoid skin cancer.
So wear your jeans and study new sun-protection options.
Sun block swimsuits seem to be way down the list of important buys. Save your money for a cover-up or over swim shirt or rashguard. You don’t usually sunburn where your swimsuit covers. The Sunburn shows up on the parts of your body your swimsuit did not cover.
Pay attention and find a hat and your sunglasses. Add a sun block shirt. Make sure you have sun block lotion. What about an umbrella for shade. You can make some changes.
Having a tan is no longer cool. Keep your skin healthy and protect yourself from the sun.