Sun Blocking Clothing Already in Your Closet could keep you protected from the sun?
Is it possible that you already have what you need to protect your skin is already in your closet?
Enjoying the sun is one of life’s simple pleasures, but it’s important to enjoy the sun safely.
Sunlight includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, and even skin cancer. The right clothing can help you protect your skin by managing your UV exposure.
Who Needs Sun Blocking Clothing?
Pretty much everyone! Do you go outside when the sun is shining?
Whether you’re hiking, gardening, or just enjoying a sunny day drive in your vehicle, wearing the right clothes can offer valuable skin protection.
From toddlers to senior citizens, everyone needs skin protection from the sun.
From the fairest skin to the darkest tones, the skin needs protection. The lighter your natural skin tones, the more protection you need.
Infants should receive no direct sun. Indirect sun, protected sunlight if exposed at all until they are at least one year old. Did you already know that? I didn’t.
My children were exposed to the sun very early in life, and are now paying the price with skin cancer. We like to water ski and lived in eastern New Mexico when they were young.
The places we water skied seldom had trees. There was no natural shade, and the sun was reflected from the water’s surface, even off the hard surfaces around the water.
Did they get sunscreen for protection? Applied by a concerned parent?
No, they didn’t and now they are paying the price. Skin cancer is a part of our everyday life. We are now seeing the results of not knowing any better.
Now we are aware that there are consequences for ignoring your skin and direct exposure to the sun for hours at a time.
Don’t set your family up for the kind of skin cancer we have in our family. You probably already have some of the clothing you need to protect your skin from the sun.
3 Tips Help Make the Best Choices From Your Closet
Not all clothes offer the same level of sun protection, but you can make smarter choices from what you already have in your closet.
These 3 tips will get you off to a better start when choosing from your closet the clothing to better protect your skin from the sun.
- Weave Density: Tightly woven fabrics offer better protection than loosely woven ones.
- Fabric Color: Darker-colored fabrics usually block more UV rays than lighter-colored ones.
- Material: Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon provide more sun protection than natural fibers like cotton.
To determine the weave, hold the garment up to the sun. Can you see the sun through the weave holes? If you can, the sun can surely see your skin.
To determine the fabric, read the labels on the shirt or pants you are considering wearing for the day.
So, wearing densely woven garments in darker colors and if available, made of synthetic fibers will protect you more. If you have jeans that aren’t too faded or worn, they can do a great job of protecting your skin. A denim shirt can also be protective, as long as the fabric is not too worn.
The comfort of the fabric in the kind of weather you are wearing the garment in is one of the reasons you will soon want to shop for UPF clothing. However, until that time, wearing what you have is better than no clothing between you and the sun.
Tips for Choosing Sun-Blocking Clothes
When picking out clothes for a sunny day, consider the following:
- Color: Opt for darker colors, as they tend to absorb more UV radiation.
- Weave: Look for clothes with a tight weave, which blocks more sunlight.
- Fabric: Choose garments made from polyester or nylon. Synthetic fabrics generally protect better.
By selecting the right pieces from your closet, you can enjoy the sun safely while still protecting your skin.
Some basic rules include being aware of the time of day you are getting out in the direct sun.
FYI Note
UPF-rated clothing improves the wearer’s protection against UV-related health risks. I am not saying to never shop for or wear UV-rated clothing.
This clothing can increase your protection from the sun for your skin. It is rated for how much protection it offers. As your awareness of the need for skin protection grows, clothing should be a part of your ongoing protection plan.
However, until you have time to shop for UPF clothing, you can use the information in this article to make better choices from your existing closet.
You can also help to protect your skin by limiting time in the direct sun.
Know Your Risks
If one of the following conditions describes you, shopping for UPF-rated clothing should happen sooner rather than later.
- Are you sun sensitive? People with skin that burns or freckles easily are more vulnerable to UV rays. Many factors can make someone more susceptible to sunburn, including skin with lighter skin tones or a large number of moles.
- Do you have darker skin tones? On one hand, darker pigmentation indicates the presence of more melanin, a compound that offers UV protection. But darker pigmentation also makes UV damage harder to spot. This can lull you and your doctor into being less vigilant.
- Children and older adults: Kids have relatively thin, sensitive skin, and any damage to it at an early age increases the risk of serious problems later in life. Skin damage also builds up over time, increasing the health risk for all adults as they age.
- Is your home in high elevations, in equatorial regions, or on snow or water? UV radiation intensity is greater where the air is thinner (high elevations). Or where the sun is more directly overhead and UV rays have a shorter path to you through the atmosphere (equatorial regions). And where rays come both from overhead sunlight and reflected surfaces (like snow and water).
- Are you taking medications? Sun sensitivity may be increased by these medications: acne treatments, antihistamines, antibiotics, certain anti-inflammatories, and even herbal supplements. Double-check all your medications for warnings about the sun.
Sami’s Take on Sun Blocking Clothing From Your Closet
The more we share what we learn about protecting our skin from the sun.
In the past. we were unaware of how dangerous sun exposure can be.
However, you can do a decent job of protecting your skin from the sun with a few common-sense rules.
Limit your total exposure time outdoors in the hotter times of the day. A few minutes in the sun will probably not matter in the early mornings before 10 AM in the summer in my part of central Texas.
Wait until after 4 PM on those hotter days. You may be able to stay sunburn-free in your part of the world from 11 AM until 3 PM.
Identifying the garments in your closet that will do a better job of taking care of your skin and keeping your skin healthy makes dressing easier. Look at the weave of the fabric, can the sun get to your skin?
What color is the garment? The darker and deeper the color is usually the better choice. A shirt is very important because it covers more skin than most garments.
Synthetic fabrics and blended fabric with natural fibers like cotton are usually better than 100% cotton.
When a cotton fabric is bleached to clean it up and make it clear white, the chemicals break down the fibers. This makes them weaker and not so good at keeping out the sun.
That favorite bright white t-shirt may not give the best protection.
However, it is better than nothing on the trunk of your body. Wear something between you and the sun. Something is better than nothing.
Congratulations on reading all the way through. Hopefully, you have picked up some information to help you find the better items in your closet to protect your skin.
Thank you,
Sami