kids on beach using sun protective clothing

Protective UV Clothing

Today, we have more options than ever to be sun safe. An important strategy, frequently overlooked, is covering up – and protecting yourself – using your clothing. From wearing long pants and sleeves to finding clothing specifically designed to shield you from ultraviolet light – clothing is an easy way to quickly protect your skin from the sun without the muss and fuss that sunscreens can sometimes create.

The first rule of thumb when it comes to covering up, is that the more skin covered, the better. For example, if you wore a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat to the beach you’d be far more protected than if you wore cut-off shorts over your bikini. Clothing is your first line of defense against the sun’s rays. However, when combined with other sun safety strategies such as wearing (and reapplying) sunscreen, seeking shade, and avoiding peak rays – you can maximize your protection and create a daily sun safety routine that works for you.

What is UPF clothing?

While all clothing offers some protection from the sun, some fabrics are specially designed (and tested) to offer you measurable protection, what experts call UPF clothing. UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, is used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective clothing. Specifically, UPF indicates what fraction of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate the fabric - meaning that the higher the UPF rating, the more protection it offers you. For example, a shirt with 100 UPF allows a slim 1/100th of the sun’s UV rays to pass through to your skin (that’s only 1%!), giving your body a fantastic layer of protection.

As SPF, or sun protection factor, is for sunscreen, UPF is for clothes.

What should I know about UPF clothing?

While all clothing offers some level of protection against the sun, UPF clothing has been scientifically engineered to protect your skin from UV rays. UPF clothing has also been tested to ensure that it consistently offers a similar level of protection, despite being washed or worn many times. The downside of UPF clothing is that it can sometimes cost more than traditional clothing.

What makes regular clothing and UPF clothing different?

Clothing specifically labeled as UPF can give you a greater peace of mind about the level of protection that it offers. For example, a thin UPF-50 shirt offers significant protection while a thin cotton t-shirt averages only UPF-5 – a 90% drop in protection. UPF clothing is also designed to offer consistent UV protection wet or dry; something that normal clothing can’t always provide.

Factors that influence the sun protection offered by clothing

You should look for these three factors when shopping for non-UPF clothes:

  • Coverage: The biggest factor that influences the amount of protection offered by clothing is how much of your skin it covers. The more skin covered, the more skin protected.
  • Material: Clothing that is tightly woven or thickly constructed offers more natural protection than light weight options. In addition, synthetic fabrics such as polyester offer more protection than all-natural fabrics such as cotton.  
  • Color: Dark and bright colors protect you better than light colors.

UPF clothing is specifically designed to shield you from UV light, so it can be made from thinner and lighter-colored fabrics while still offering you significant protection. Keep in mind that UPF clothing only protects the skin it covers!

Where can I find UPF clothing?

There are several companies that work on new technologies to develop the most protective article of clothing, including:

Bimini Bay Outfitters, Ltd.

Blending style with practicality, Bimini Bay products feature innovative, affordable UPF and sun-safe technology.

WATSKIN

Inspired by the real-life experiences of founder and designer Lois Robbins, Watskin was created to empower women of all ages to enjoy a sun-safe lifestyle through its incredibly chic and fashionable protective clothing, which block 98% of the sun's damaging UV rays.

Here are additional brands that sell UPF-specific clothing:

Treat your clothing with a UPF additive

Another way to increase the protection offered by clothing you already own is by using a product like SunGuard. SunGuard, and other products like it, is a laundry additive that adds up to 30 UPF to your regular clothes for up to 20 washes. The technology works by adhering a chemical sunscreen to your clothes called Tinosorb FD, which absorbs the UV rays before passing through to your skin.

For children

Sun-protective clothing can be a particularly helpful way to keep kids sun safe. Children have especially sensitive skin when it comes to the sun. Though not a replacement for sunscreen (because clothes don’t cover hands, neck, ears, etc.), dressing your children in UPF clothing offers long-lasting protection and additional peace of mind.

Today, we have more options than ever to be sun safe. An important strategy, frequently overlooked, is covering up – and protecting yourself – using your clothing. From wearing long pants and sleeves to finding clothing specifically designed to shield you from ultraviolet light – clothing is an easy way to quickly protect your skin from the sun without the muss and fuss that sunscreens can sometimes create.

The first rule of thumb when it comes to covering up, is that the more skin covered, the better. For example, if you wore a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat to the beach you’d be far more protected than if you wore cut-off shorts over your bikini. Clothing is your first line of defense against the sun’s rays. However, when combined with other sun safety strategies such as wearing (and reapplying) sunscreen, seeking shade, and avoiding peak rays – you can maximize your protection and create a daily sun safety routine that works for you.

What is UPF clothing?

While all clothing offers some protection from the sun, some fabrics are specially designed (and tested) to offer you measurable protection, what experts call UPF clothing. UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, is used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective clothing. Specifically, UPF indicates what fraction of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate the fabric - meaning that the higher the UPF rating, the more protection it offers you. For example, a shirt with 100 UPF allows a slim 1/100th of the sun’s UV rays to pass through to your skin (that’s only 1%!), giving your body a fantastic layer of protection.

As SPF, or sun protection factor, is for sunscreen, UPF is for clothes.

What should I know about UPF clothing?

While all clothing offers some level of protection against the sun, UPF clothing has been scientifically engineered to protect your skin from UV rays. UPF clothing has also been tested to ensure that it consistently offers a similar level of protection, despite being washed or worn many times. The downside of UPF clothing is that it can sometimes cost more than traditional clothing.

What makes regular clothing and UPF clothing different?

Clothing specifically labeled as UPF can give you a greater peace of mind about the level of protection that it offers. For example, a thin UPF-50 shirt offers significant protection while a thin cotton t-shirt averages only UPF-5 – a 90% drop in protection. UPF clothing is also designed to offer consistent UV protection wet or dry; something that normal clothing can’t always provide.

Factors that influence the sun protection offered by clothing

You should look for these three factors when shopping for non-UPF clothes:

  • Coverage: The biggest factor that influences the amount of protection offered by clothing is how much of your skin it covers. The more skin covered, the more skin protected.
  • Material: Clothing that is tightly woven or thickly constructed offers more natural protection than light weight options. In addition, synthetic fabrics such as polyester offer more protection than all-natural fabrics such as cotton.  
  • Color: Dark and bright colors protect you better than light colors.

UPF clothing is specifically designed to shield you from UV light, so it can be made from thinner and lighter-colored fabrics while still offering you significant protection. Keep in mind that UPF clothing only protects the skin it covers!

Where can I find UPF clothing?

There are several companies that work on new technologies to develop the most protective article of clothing, including:

Bimini Bay Outfitters, Ltd.

Blending style with practicality, Bimini Bay products feature innovative, affordable UPF and sun-safe technology.

WATSKIN

Inspired by the real-life experiences of founder and designer Lois Robbins, Watskin was created to empower women of all ages to enjoy a sun-safe lifestyle through its incredibly chic and fashionable protective clothing, which block 98% of the sun's damaging UV rays.

Here are additional brands that sell UPF-specific clothing:

Treat your clothing with a UPF additive

Another way to increase the protection offered by clothing you already own is by using a product like SunGuard. SunGuard, and other products like it, is a laundry additive that adds up to 30 UPF to your regular clothes for up to 20 washes. The technology works by adhering a chemical sunscreen to your clothes called Tinosorb FD, which absorbs the UV rays before passing through to your skin.

For children

Sun-protective clothing can be a particularly helpful way to keep kids sun safe. Children have especially sensitive skin when it comes to the sun. Though not a replacement for sunscreen (because clothes don’t cover hands, neck, ears, etc.), dressing your children in UPF clothing offers long-lasting protection and additional peace of mind.

Today, we have more options than ever to be sun safe. An important strategy, frequently overlooked, is covering up – and protecting yourself – using your clothing. From wearing long pants and sleeves to finding clothing specifically designed to shield you from ultraviolet light – clothing is an easy way to quickly protect your skin from the sun without the muss and fuss that sunscreens can sometimes create.

The first rule of thumb when it comes to covering up, is that the more skin covered, the better. For example, if you wore a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat to the beach you’d be far more protected than if you wore cut-off shorts over your bikini. Clothing is your first line of defense against the sun’s rays. However, when combined with other sun safety strategies such as wearing (and reapplying) sunscreen, seeking shade, and avoiding peak rays – you can maximize your protection and create a daily sun safety routine that works for you.

What is UPF clothing?

While all clothing offers some protection from the sun, some fabrics are specially designed (and tested) to offer you measurable protection, what experts call UPF clothing. UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, is used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective clothing. Specifically, UPF indicates what fraction of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate the fabric - meaning that the higher the UPF rating, the more protection it offers you. For example, a shirt with 100 UPF allows a slim 1/100th of the sun’s UV rays to pass through to your skin (that’s only 1%!), giving your body a fantastic layer of protection.

As SPF, or sun protection factor, is for sunscreen, UPF is for clothes.

What should I know about UPF clothing?

While all clothing offers some level of protection against the sun, UPF clothing has been scientifically engineered to protect your skin from UV rays. UPF clothing has also been tested to ensure that it consistently offers a similar level of protection, despite being washed or worn many times. The downside of UPF clothing is that it can sometimes cost more than traditional clothing.

What makes regular clothing and UPF clothing different?

Clothing specifically labeled as UPF can give you a greater peace of mind about the level of protection that it offers. For example, a thin UPF-50 shirt offers significant protection while a thin cotton t-shirt averages only UPF-5 – a 90% drop in protection. UPF clothing is also designed to offer consistent UV protection wet or dry; something that normal clothing can’t always provide.

Factors that influence the sun protection offered by clothing

You should look for these three factors when shopping for non-UPF clothes:

  • Coverage: The biggest factor that influences the amount of protection offered by clothing is how much of your skin it covers. The more skin covered, the more skin protected.
  • Material: Clothing that is tightly woven or thickly constructed offers more natural protection than light weight options. In addition, synthetic fabrics such as polyester offer more protection than all-natural fabrics such as cotton.  
  • Color: Dark and bright colors protect you better than light colors.

UPF clothing is specifically designed to shield you from UV light, so it can be made from thinner and lighter-colored fabrics while still offering you significant protection. Keep in mind that UPF clothing only protects the skin it covers!

Where can I find UPF clothing?

There are several companies that work on new technologies to develop the most protective article of clothing, including:

Bimini Bay Outfitters, Ltd.

Blending style with practicality, Bimini Bay products feature innovative, affordable UPF and sun-safe technology.

WATSKIN

Inspired by the real-life experiences of founder and designer Lois Robbins, Watskin was created to empower women of all ages to enjoy a sun-safe lifestyle through its incredibly chic and fashionable protective clothing, which block 98% of the sun's damaging UV rays.

Here are additional brands that sell UPF-specific clothing:

Treat your clothing with a UPF additive

Another way to increase the protection offered by clothing you already own is by using a product like SunGuard. SunGuard, and other products like it, is a laundry additive that adds up to 30 UPF to your regular clothes for up to 20 washes. The technology works by adhering a chemical sunscreen to your clothes called Tinosorb FD, which absorbs the UV rays before passing through to your skin.

For children

Sun-protective clothing can be a particularly helpful way to keep kids sun safe. Children have especially sensitive skin when it comes to the sun. Though not a replacement for sunscreen (because clothes don’t cover hands, neck, ears, etc.), dressing your children in UPF clothing offers long-lasting protection and additional peace of mind.

How does UV exposure impact your skin?

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation. UV rays can penetrate and change the structure of skin cells, as well as lead to cancer-causing mutations in the DNA of these cells. Such changes can cause skin cancer and premature skin aging. Exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds is the most preventable risk factor for melanoma.

How does sunscreen work?

Most sun protection products work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun's rays. These products contain chemicals that interact with the skin to protect it from UV rays. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays, the two main components of the sun's rays. UVA and UVB rays damage the skin in different ways, but both can lead to the development of skin cancer.

Most sunscreens use the SPF rating, which stands for sun protection factor. It is a measure of time that the sunscreen can protect against the sun’s rays. So the higher the SPF, the longer the protection. But a good rule of thumb is to reapply every 2 hours.

Should I wear sunscreen every day?

Yes. UV radiation can damage skin in the winter, even though the sun is not as strong. The sun's rays can penetrate clouds, haze, and smoke, so sunscreen should be used even on cloudy days.

Why is it important to reapply sunscreen frequently?

There are three reasons why sunscreens should be reapplied frequently:

  • Sunscreens can be physically rubbed off, such as when drying yourself with a towel.
  • Sunscreens can be washed off when swimming or with heavy sweating.
  • Some of the active ingredients in sunscreens start to break down over time. This break down can be accelerated by sun exposure.

These three factors can prevent sunscreens from providing the level of protection indicated by the SPF value. Generously apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply at least every two hours, or after swimming or sweating heavily.

If I don’t get enough exposure to light, will I get enough Vitamin D?

A blood test ordered by your doctor is the only way to know if your levels of Vitamin D are sufficient. MRA encourages everyone to beware of the dangers of UV exposure and advises that people do not need to put themselves at risk of melanoma and other skin cancers to get Vitamin D. If you and your doctor decide you are not getting enough Vitamin D, vitamin supplements offer a safe alternative source of Vitamin D without carcinogenic risk.

Are sunscreens safe?

Sunscreens are absolutely safe. The FDA rigorously evaluates all sunscreens before they are brought to market to ensure that they are both safe and effective.

Which is better, mineral or chemical sunscreen?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Both chemical and mineral sunscreens are safe and effective ways to reduce your UV exposure. Some articles claim chemical sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone or retinyl palmitate are harmful and could actually cause skin cancer. These claims are based on animal models where mice were fed extremely large amounts of sunscreens – far more than a person would ever be exposed to. It’s far more important that you find a sunscreen that you enjoy wearing every day, rain or shine.

What about the sunscreen in my makeup or moisturizer? Is that enough?

Your moisturizer with SPF is better than nothing, but it isn’t as good as a dedicated sunscreen. A study released in July 2018 demonstrated that even though both theoretically offer the same level of protection, in the real world people tend to miss sections of their face when using moisturizer or not use enough product to adequately cover their skin.

Are tanning beds a safe alternative to being in the sun?

No. Tanning beds are just as damaging as the sun because they emit similar UV radiation that can cause the same type of sunburn and mutations in the skin. The World Health Organization has classified indoor tanning devices as cancer-causing agents. Research shows that those who use indoor tanning devices have up to a 75% increased risk of melanoma. The risk increases with greater years of use, number of sessions or total hours of use.

Many states in the United States and the federal government have taken steps to increase the regulation of tanning devices, specifically use by minors, because of the health problems they pose.

I'm going on vacation and don't want to get a sunburn. Should I get a “base tan” to protect my skin?

Many people think that a "base tan" protects their skin from a damaging burn. The truth is that a tan is really a sign of skin damage. Your body’s defensive response to harmful UV rays is to generate the pigment melanin to protect its skin cells. Tanning exposes your skin to a greater amount of UV radiation and increases your risk of developing skin cancer. The best way to protect your skin while out in the sun is to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid the sun in the middle of the day.

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