Did you know you can get clothes with sun protection built in?
Clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) built in to the fabric are a great way to get sun protection while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities. UPF is a rating system, like SPF – UPF rates protection against both UVA and UVB. A garment with a UPF of 50 allows only 1/50th of the UV radiation falling on the surface of the garment to pass through. So, it blocks 49/50ths or 98% of the UV radiation. A UPF rating of at least 15 is required for a garment to be classed as solar UV-protective. Sun protective clothing are especially helpful when you’re going to be out and about for longer periods of time (think of sporting events, yard work, sight-seeing on vacation, swimming at the beach). They are also excellent for anyone with sensitivity to sunscreens or sunblocks.
In Minnesota, we have a local company, Coolibar, that produces hats, swimwear and clothing for the whole family made out of UPF 50 or greater rated fabrics.
Another product you can use, SunGuard, adds UPF protection of 30 to clothing you already have. SunGuard works by washing an invisible shield, TINOSORB FD, into clothing that helps block more than 96% of the sun´s harmful rays from reaching your skin. To use this, you add one package of Sunguard to a laundry load – it then provides protection for up to 20 washings.
