Wondering why you should invest in UV protection clothing?
It may seem like any clothing that covers your skin is good enough, but the special features of UPF clothing make it more protective.
You're exposed to sunlight in a number of ways throughout the day. Light bouncing off the ground or other surfaces and coming through your car windows can cause skin and eye damage.
Even on gray and dreary days, the UV harmful rays still penetrate the clouds.
Keep reading to learn the importance of wearing sun protection clothing.
Protection Against Skin Cancer
Every day, over 9,500 Americans receive a skin cancer diagnosis. Skin cancer outnumbers all other types of cancers combined.
It's a prevalent disease, but it's also very preventable when you take the right precautions.
UV rays that hit your skin can cause skin cancer. Covering your skin is one of the best ways to reduce the risks of developing skin cancer.
Sun protection clothing can either block or absorb the UV radiation before it reaches your skin. It's designed with a dense weave to reduce the amount of sunlight that can get through the fabric.
The type of fabric also helps to keep the clothing lightweight while reflecting UV radiation.
All of these characteristics of UV protective clothing can minimize your risk of skin cancer because the rays never reach your skin.
Reduced Signs of Aging
Another important job of UV protection clothing is to keep your skin looking young. UV rays age your skin. They can cause discoloration and premature wrinkles.
When you cover your skin with sun protection clothing, you minimize those aging effects. It can help you stay looking younger.
Stronger Protection Than Regular Fabric
Many traditional fabrics provide some skin protection but not at the same level as UV protection clothing. Larger gaps in the weave of cotton make it less effective in protecting your skin. Not all fabrics are designed to absorb, reflect, or block sunlight like sunscreen clothing.
Instant UV Protection
Do you always remember to apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you step outside? Do you get everyone fully covered in sunscreen immediately?
With UV protection clothing, you take the waiting period out of sun protection. As soon as you put it on, you're protected. That saves you a lot of time, especially if you have a family you're trying to get ready for outdoor activities.
No Need to Reapply
Wearing sunscreen is the common way people minimize UV rays. But it's not the perfect sun protection.
Many people come up short with the amount of sunscreen they use, applying only 25 to 50% of what they really need. It's also easy to miss exposed parts, such as your neck, ears, and feet.
The other issue is reapplying sunscreen. The recommendation is to slather on more sunscreen every 2 hours. You're also supposed to put on more after you swim or sweat profusely.
Many people forget to reapply or don't reapply often enough. That leaves you exposed to UV rays.
UV protection fabric doesn't need to be reapplied. It provides constant protection, even if you sweat a lot or take a dip in the pool. You can put it on and forget it, which makes it much easier than sunscreen.
You can also wash your UV protection clothing without worrying about decreasing its effectiveness. You get a lot of use out of the clothing, which makes it a cost-effective form of protection.
Ideal for Sensitive Skin
Do you hate the idea of applying chemical sunscreen on your skin? Or perhaps you're sensitive to the usual sunscreen products.
Sun protection clothing is safe to wear even if you have sensitive skin. It's an easy way to protect your skin without the worry of irritating it. You can have the sun protection you need without applying anything directly to your skin.
Coverage Where You Don't Apply Sunscreen
Are you sure you're getting full sunscreen coverage all over your body? It's tough to reach all areas of your body, especially on your back and areas you can't see.
When you wear sunscreen clothing that covers those areas, you know you have protection. You don't have to worry about missing a spot.
Extended Coverage
Many pieces of sun protection clothing feature extended coverage to provide you extra protection. Regular clothing doesn't have that extra coverage, which can leave more of your skin exposed.
Sunscreen shirts, rash guards, often have long sleeves to cover your full arms. Many pieces include thumb holes on the sleeves to keep them down as far as possible for maximum coverage. They might have collars or turtleneck designs to cover the skin on your neck.
A sun protective hat will have a wide brim that provides better coverage for your face, neck, and ears. It may have a flap built into it for extended protection.
Comfortable Designs
Sunscreen clothing is designed for outdoor activities, especially in the hot summer sun. The type of fabric makes the clothing pieces lightweight and comfortable, even when you're wearing long sleeves or long pants.
The fabrics usually wick moisture away from your body, which is beneficial year-round. In the summer, it keeps you dry and cool. If you're hitting the slopes or engaging in other winter activities, you'll also appreciate keeping your skin dry and comfortable.
Many clothing pieces include venting or other methods of keeping you cool and sun safe. The breathable fabrics help air circulate and keep your temperature lower.
Wide Range of Fashionable Options
As the demand for sun protection clothing increases, the fashionable options also increase. You can find many stylish clothing pieces such as rash guards and sun hats that make you feel great while also providing protection. That makes it easier than ever to dress in a way that protects your skin without sacrificing your personal style or feeling frumpy.
Many people prefer more coverage at the pool or beach for modesty purposes. Wearing a bikini leaves you feeling exposed and may make you uncomfortable.
With sun protection clothing, you can get the UV radiation reducing benefits while feeling confident in how you look.
Choose UV Protection Clothing
UV protection clothing is one more tool you can use to protect your skin from sun damage. It can reduce your risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and other skin damage.
Explore our collections of UV protection clothing to build your outdoor wardrobe.