| As sun worshiping baby boomers who grew up in | | | | physically protect you from abrasions and "stinging |
| Florida, we inflicted many years of unprotected | | | | creatures"! And of course don't forget to protect |
| sun exposure to our skin. As a result we are on | | | | your eyes with 100% UVA/UVB blocking |
| first name basis with our Dermatologist! | | | | sunglasses. |
| Sometimes I joke that my husband pays his | | | | Because of the years of abuse we inflicted on |
| doctor's mortgage payment with all of his visits. | | | | our skin, we have been forced to review sun |
| Last year the Doctor told us, "You just can't | | | | protective clothing for our own use. We still enjoy |
| afford any more sun damage to your skin!" | | | | the outdoors, biking, kayaking, snorkeling and all |
| Maybe you've heard similar scary words from | | | | things beachy, but we do it wisely now. For years |
| your Doctor. Are you looking for a way to | | | | our solution was to lather up, with greasy, oily |
| continue enjoying the outdoors without further | | | | sunscreens. We used to think that SPF 15 was |
| damage to your skin? Is there an alternative to | | | | enough protection--now the drugstore shelves are |
| the messy, greasy sunscreen lotions that rub off, | | | | full of high powered, chemical laden lotions with |
| sweat off, and attract every bug in site? You bet | | | | SPF as high as 70. But even these lotions if used |
| there is! Sun protective clothing can literally | | | | improperly are ineffective to truly ward off the |
| become your life saver! | | | | sun's damage. Most people apply sunscreen too |
| So just what is Sun Protective Clothing? | | | | late (when they are already sun burned), they put |
| Researchers have developed new fabrics with | | | | on too little (two tablespoons every 1-2 hours is |
| embedded compounds that give the clothing an | | | | the minimal application amount), or under the |
| inherent protective quality against the sun. These | | | | wrong conditions (when they are wet or sweaty). |
| high tech fabrics can give clothes a SPF of | | | | Maybe you are like us--wanting to be outside |
| anywhere from a low of 30 up to a high of SPF | | | | every chance you get? Perhaps you are a five |
| 100. There is now even a universal guide for | | | | day a week golfer, or an avid boater. Do you |
| labeling sun protective fabric -- the UPF value. On | | | | enjoy hiking and rock climbing, or just relaxing by |
| many clothes you will see a UPF value; this is the | | | | the pool while enjoying the kids or grandkids. |
| total Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This UPF value | | | | Limiting the sun's damage to your skin must |
| makes it easier for the consumer to compare the | | | | become a priority, and it can be done without |
| protective ability of one article of clothing to | | | | changing your hobbies and passions. Sun |
| another. UPF, SPF it gets somewhat confusing. | | | | protective clothing allows you to keep on enjoying |
| Just know that SPF is similar to the value you | | | | the outdoors without continually applying chemicals |
| would see on a sun screen product, whereas UPF | | | | to your skin. |
| includes the fabric's ability to block out both the | | | | Skin damaged already? Yes, there are skin repair |
| Ultraviolet Type A and B rays. | | | | products on the market, and many of them are |
| Sun protective clothing encompasses many things. | | | | highly effective. But no matter what shape your |
| You can guard your body from harmful ultraviolet | | | | skin is in currently, it is imperative that you do not |
| rays by wearing large brimmed hats, preferably | | | | allow any more damage to take place. Use the |
| with flaps that hang down covering the back of | | | | lotions, peels, and procedures available to repair |
| your neck. Stylish, loose fitting shirts and pants | | | | damage already done, but you must take steps |
| are available, often with ventilation systems built in | | | | to stop new skin damage from occurring. Sun |
| to help keep you cool. There are wraps to cover | | | | Protective Clothing can be your first line of |
| swimsuits, as well as tighter rash guard type | | | | defense against the harmful effects of the sun, |
| shirts you can actually wear into the water. These | | | | while allowing you to continue with all of the |
| are great if you surf or snorkel as they will also | | | | activities outdoors that you enjoy. |