The ABC’s of UPF Clothing
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Sun damage to the exposed parts of your body is cumulative, adding to your risks of skin cancer and premature aging.
What’s the best way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, given that we love to garden outside? Clothing is the most basic and generally the best means of sun protection. The more skin you cover with clothing, the better. A long-sleeved shirt is a better choice than a short-sleeved one, especially if it has a high neckline or collar that protects the back of the neck. A wide-brimmed hat protects more of the face than a baseball cap, and long pants cover more skin than shorts.
Unfortunately, not all clothing is created equal. So, how do you know if a piece of clothing is sun-safe? One solution is to choose garments with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label. The label means the fabric has been tested in a laboratory, and consumers can be confident about the listed level of protection. It is based on the content, weight, color, and construction of the fabric, and it indicates how much ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can penetrate the fabric.
A shirt with a UPF of 50, for example, allows just 1/50th of the sun’s UVR to reach the skin, providing excellent sun protection. In stark contrast, a thin white cotton T-shirt only has a UPF of about 5, even less when wet.
When choosing the ideal attire for optimal sun safety, consider the tightness of the weave or knit. Tightly woven or closely knitted fabrics literally have smaller holes between the threads. They keep out more UVR than fabrics with a loose or open weave. Thin, lightweight materials, including some silks and bleached cottons, let in more UVR than do heavier, denser fabrics such as denim and corduroy.
Synthetic and semi-synthetic fibers like polyester, lycra, nylon, spandex, and rayon offer the greatest sun protection. Refined and bleached cottons or crepe offer the least. Glossy fabrics, such as satin, reflect more UVR away from the skin than do matte fabrics like linen.
Color also plays an important part in the degree of protection a garment provides. Dark or bright colors, like red or black, absorb more UVR than white or pastel shades, stopping the rays before they reach the skin. Bright colors such as red can also substantially absorb UV rays. The more vivid the color, the greater the protection; a bright yellow shirt is more protective than a pale one.
Fortunately, the DCMG Merchandise Team has diligently searched for a offered the best options to offer our members, ones that will provide superior UVR protection, yet still be chic and stylish. At monthly meetings there will sell their lovely “sun shirts” made of nylon/spandex with a UPF of 50, which protects you from 98% of the sun’s harmful rays. Think of this amazing fabric as sunscreen that doesn’t wash or perspire away!
Not only that, jacquard construction with mesh venting under the sleeves allows air to flow through, and inherent cooling fibers cool the body while wicking moisture and keeping you dry.
Anti-bacterial properties give extra protection. The shirts come in a variety of colors and styles, so please stop by the Merchandise table at the next meeting. As an added bonus, the shirts are offered at a substantial discount as a service to our members.
New to their inventory are Sun Day Afternoons hats, which also offer UPF 50+ sun protection, ventilation and moisture management. They come in a variety of styles and colors, too! With summer fast approaching, be sure and check them out!
Remember that sun-protective clothing doesn’t have to be boring. It can be light, fashionable, and fun. And when chosen and used correctly, it’s the best form of sun protection you can find.
