| Why should we wear sun protective clothing? | | | | just not practical to use, like across your face. |
| Good question! Sun protective clothing is typically | | | | (Please note: Sun Masks and sun hats with UV |
| more expensive than everyday clothing. And, | | | | protective fabric drapes are available.) |
| wearing a long sleeve shirt on a hot day just | | | | One of the reasons sun protective fabric provides |
| doesn't seem to make sense.... or does it? Being in | | | | better UV protection than sunscreen is because |
| the sun protection business now for over 11 | | | | you get a solid layer of UV protection with a |
| years I certainly have developed my opinions.... but | | | | known thickness that isn't going anywhere. One of |
| some of my reasons may surprise you. Let's | | | | the reasons sunscreens don't work well is that |
| start by defining "What is sun protective | | | | people don't get it on thick enough. For example, |
| clothing?". | | | | you need approximately 1 teaspoon of sunscreen |
| Sun Protective Clothing vs. Everyday Clothing | | | | for the average adult face and neck. That's a lot |
| Anything you put between you and the sun will | | | | of goop!... and you need to make sure it stays |
| help block the sun's rays. The question is, "How | | | | there. |
| much?". For everyday clothing, the thicker, the | | | | Another reason sun protective clothing |
| darker and the tighter the weave, the more | | | | outperforms sunscreen is that sunscreen is limited |
| protection it will have. The fiber type is also | | | | in the UV wavelengths it blocks. In fact, the SPF |
| important. Unfortunately, the fiber that most | | | | rating you see on sunscreen labels today are only |
| people think of to stay cool, cotton, is the least | | | | an indication of the UVB radiation screened. An |
| UV protective. (The average Tshirt blocks only | | | | SPF rating is not a measurement of UVA. |
| 50% of the ultraviolet light.) The best UV blocking | | | | Another thing that reduces the effectiveness of |
| fibers are Lycra and polyester, with nylon | | | | sunscreen is heat. If your bottle of sunscreen |
| somewhere in the middle. | | | | becomes overheated it may change the chemical |
| Special sun protective garments started to gain | | | | composition. |
| popularity in America almost 20 year ago. One big | | | | So in summary, "Why wear Sun Protective |
| difference between these outfits and everyday | | | | Clothing?": |
| clothing is that these garments have been rated | | | | 1. Better UV protection than sunscreen. |
| by an independent laboratory for their UV blocking | | | | 2. No need to apply and reapply. |
| ability and then given a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection | | | | 3. Missing a spot is not a worry. |
| Factor) rating. As I mentioned, I have owned a | | | | 4. The sun protection does not wash, rub or |
| sun protection business for over 11 years and I | | | | sweat off. |
| still can't eyeball a fabric and say how well it will | | | | 5. You don't need to apply nasty sounding |
| block UV rays. | | | | chemicals directly to the skin. |
| Most UV protective clothing is tightly woven and | | | | 6. Sun protective clothing is safe enough for a |
| may (or may not) have chemical UV inhibitors | | | | new born baby to wear. |
| added to them. Nylon is the most common fabric | | | | 7. No need to "goop up"... a real bonus when it |
| used, however other fibers, like cotton and | | | | comes to kids. |
| polyester, are becoming more popular everyday. | | | | 8. Helps you stay cool. By getting your sun |
| Also unique to sun protective clothing are specialty | | | | protective clothing or sun hat wet, you can stay |
| features such air vents, a roll-up collar for added | | | | even cooler than running around in your birthday |
| neck protection or cuffs with retractable hand | | | | suit. |
| flaps. This clothing also has the advantage of | | | | 9. Everyday clothing rarely has air vents. 10. |
| providing UV protection when damp. | | | | Special designs such as roll up collars and hand |
| Sun protective clothing, and especially sun | | | | flaps make it easy to block UV rays and |
| protection swim wear has a surprise benefit! By | | | | oftentimes the sun's heat. 11. Better odds for |
| wetting your sun protection shirt, sun hat or | | | | preventing skin cancer, premature aging, |
| Waterwear you can stay fresher with | | | | uncomfortable sunburns, and immune suppression. |
| evaporative cooling - a big advantage on a hot | | | | In closing, let me paraphrase the colorful naturalist, |
| day. | | | | John Muir, by saying, "Don't let the sun shine on |
| Sunscreen vs. Sun Protective Clothing | | | | you. Let the sun shine in you". Wishing you health |
| Sun protective fabric always blocks the UV rays | | | | and happiness in the great outdoors! |
| better than sunscreen. Hands down! If you have | | | | This material is provided for informational use only. |
| the choice to protect yourself with protective | | | | It is not a substitute for your doctor or health |
| fabric you will be safer, and you don't need to | | | | care provider. If you have any health questions or |
| remember to reapply your sun protection. | | | | concerns you should see your doctor or health |
| Sunscreen certainly has it place in your sun safety | | | | care provider. |
| routine, but only as a last resort or when fabric is | | | | |