Yes, “Looser Fit and Dark Colors” Protect you from the Sun. Most often we don’t give much thought to how the way a garment fits affects anything, other than comfort.
Even knowing that my skin has had all the exposure it can handle in this lifetime, why would I risk it one more time? Could it be a bit of rebellion? Surely I don’t consider myself bulletproof? I have that pile of receipts from the dermatologist!
Protecting your skin from the dangers of excess sun exposure is crucial for a healthy and happy life. Sunscreen is a popular choice, and for my face and the tops of my hands, I use it too. However, the CDC warns us that it should be used in combination with other measures, not alone.
But sun blocking clothing is so much easier and does a better job of protecting the rest of my skin. Instead of wearing gloves and a face mask, sunscreen is easier for me. Then, the rest of me, loose-fitting clothing and darker colors work very well.
Looser-Fitting Clothing: The Power of Comfort and Protection
The way your sun blocking clothing fits your body affects the protection your clothing offers. When clothing is too tight and stretched, the threads will pull apart, and allow the sun to come through the clothing to your skin. You may not sunburn, but after several exposures for too long a time, the damage will occur.
Choosing loose-fitting clothing can provide the coverage your need and allow you to be comfortable, as well as safe from too much sun. A looser fit allows the clothing to be the barrier that is needed for skin protection.
This kind of barrier between your skin and the sun’s harmful rays will help you to stay safer in the sun. However, don’t get carried away just because you have sun blocking clothing on today. Nothing can completely block out the sun for hours on end and day after day. The sun is relentless.
Chronic sun exposure one gets when working out in the sun every day, all day will affect your skin. You may not see it after the first day, but a bit farther along the way, you will know what I’m warning you about. You may begin to look weathered and dry. Next will come the early aging, the slight tan, and the wrinkles.
Protecting your skin when you spend a good deal of time outdoors is difficult. You need breaks through the day in the shade to allow your body to cool. Drink plenty of water along with regular sunscreen reapplication.
Proper Fit Benefits
Loose clothing allows for better air circulation, keeping you cool and comfortable in the heat. It also prevents the clothing from stretching and pulling against your skin, making it easier for UV radiation to penetrate and cause damage.
When you wear loose-fitting clothing, you are less likely to develop sunburn or skin damage, which can lead to more serious issues like skin cancer. Loose-fitting clothing will provide more coverage to your body, protecting it from head to toe.
Choosing Your Looser-Fitting Sun-Safe Clothing
Often I realize that I speak a foreign language that no one in our household understands. It has been going on for years. If you have a family you know what I’m talking about:
3 PM “Son, take out the trash now, please. It’s smelling.”
5 PM “Son, the rash still needs to go out. Thanks!”
6:15 PM “Mom, want me to take it out? It’s full.”
We know that sometimes statements just don’t register. And I am afraid that protecting our skin from the sun is one of those statements still out there for someone to grab and make use of.
Wearing clothing to protect your skin from the sun is easy and important. So let’s learn a bit about what “clothing” is!
Examples of Loose-Fitting Sun-Safe Clothing
Clothing that will give you some protection from the sun is what you are looking for.
- Looser-fitting long pants: These can provide coverage for your legs, which people often overlook when it comes to sun protection.
- Sun Blocking Long-sleeve looser-fitting shirt: Must be loose for air circulation.
- Maxi dresses: This kind of dress can give great coverage while still allowing for air circulation and comfort. Loose fit is important.
- Loose-fitting kaftans: These offer both coverage and style, making them a great garment for wearing to the beach or even for outdoor events.
- Wide-brim hats: Hats provide shade for your face and neck. where your skin is at such risk.
Using some basic clothing suggestions will repay you with healthy skin that looks younger for a longer time.
Deeper Colors Can Increase Protection
It is true that darker colors increase the power of clothing’s ability to protect you from the sun. The clothing in your closet is probably a starting place for selecting loose fit and dark colors to protect you.
What do you have in your closet already to work with? Which one of your shirts will be the best one to protect your skin from the sun? A tight weave will help the fabric block the sun from your skin. The color will determine if the heat from the sun is absorbed or reflected.
Finding the better choices in your closet will make your skin safer from skin cancer.
Then don’t forget that anything is better than nothing. Keeping some of the sun off your skin is better than allowing the sun to shine on your bare skin for hours at a time.
Darker colors like black, navy, dark green, and deep red. These colors will absorb the UV rays, and keep them off your skin. These colors will be warmer to wear, so need the loose fit to allow the heat to dissipate from your skin.
Pastel colors of blue, red, green, and of course white reflect the sun’s rays. You may feel cooler, but your skin is less protected. Simply compensate for more sun by applying sunscreen often, and spending time in the shade. It is a worthwhile trade-out. Just watch your time in the sun.
Let’s Review Safe Color Examples
The best colors for sun-safe clothing include:
- Black: A classic color that can provide excellent protection for your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Navy: This is a dark shade that will work for those who prefer a more subtle color choice.
- Deep shades of green or purple: Wearing these colors offers both protection and style.
Use these colors to guide your choices while shopping in your closet. Then add the information of a looser fit, to allow the clothing to do its job of protecting your skin.
Even if your closet is full of clothes that are not new, you can increase their ability to protect your skin with the use of Rit Sun Guard. This easy-to-use laundry additive will increase the protection your older protective clothing gives to your skin.
Your UPF clothing doesn’t last forever, and Rit Sun Guard can improve the protection from your old fishing shirt, or your older favorite t-shirts.
Yes, UPF clothing offers many options in styles and colors. Wearing lighter colors will be safer with UPF-rated clothing. However, using the information about looser fit and dark colors will help you keep your skin safe from the sun.
Sami’s Take On 7 Risks Kids Face from the Sun “Just Because They Are Kids.”
There is one more risk, that parents need to keep in mind that can make their kids at higher risk for sun damage. Medication
Check the labels of the medications your kids need. Make sure they are not on the list to raise your kid’s risks.
List of drugs for young kids’ parents:
- Antihistamines: These are medicines that help with allergies and allergic reactions.
- Coal Tar and Derivatives: These are medicines that treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Contraceptives, Oral, and Estrogens: Medicines used to prevent pregnancy and treat certain medical conditions.
- Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: These are medicines used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, but should only be given under the supervision of a doctor.
- Phenothiazines: These are medicines used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.
- Psoralens: These are medicines used to treat skin conditions such as vitiligo.
- Sulfonamides: These are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.
- Sulfonylureas: These are medicines used to treat diabetes.
- Thiazide Diuretics: These are medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Tetracyclines: These are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants: These are medicines used to treat depression, but should only be given under the supervision of a doctor.
It’s important to always consult with a healthcare professional before giving any medication to your child, as they can advise you on the proper dosage and potential side effects.
Thank you,
Sami
The Bottom Line is this is a more than one-step effort. Protecting your skin from the sun is important for your overall health. Make sure to remember that loose-fitting clothing combined with darker colors. These simple habits can result in a safer lifestyle for your outdoor activities.
Skin cancer is too common for those who have hobbies and interests that keep them outdoors. However, those who are out all year long seem to do a better job of skin protection than weekend hobbyists do. If this is you, a weekender, ramp up your protection from the sun and help send statistics in another direction.
Keeping your skin safe in the sun is a healthy way to enjoy being outdoors.
Thank you,
Sami