Sun Protective Clothing: What is It?

There are many ways to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays including wearing sunscreen, avoiding tanning booths and limiting exposure to the sun between the hours of 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

But did you know that wearing sun protective clothing provides another line of defense in reducing your risk of skin cancer and help prevent premature skin aging?

In Part I of our ‘Sun Protective Clothing’ Series we answer the question, ‘What is sun protective clothing?’

What is sun protective clothing?
Sun protective clothing features an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) that indicates how much ultraviolet radiation can reach your skin through the fabric.

A UPF of 30-49 offers very good protection while an UPF rating of 50 or more offers excellent protection. In fact, a UPF rating of 50 blocks 90 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, allowing only two percent to penetrate.

In contrast, a white t-shirt only offers a UPF of 8.

What is the difference in UPF and SPF?
While UPF measures the amount of ultraviolet radiation that can penetrate fabric to reach your skin, SPF (sun protection factor) ratings used in sunscreen lotions are based on the time it takes ultraviolet-exposed skin to turn red.

For example, an SPF of 30, should protect your skin 30 times longer than if you used no sunscreen.

A combination of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 more more along with wearing sun protective clothing with a UPF rating of 50 or more work in tandem to keep you skin safe while enjoying the great outdoors.

For more information about sun protective clothing or to schedule a skin screening appointment with Dr. Price or one of our skin care professionals at Price Skin Clinic, please call 601.992.3996.