It is well documented that the sun is very damaging to skin. The sun's rays cause ageing of the skin and more importantly skin cancer. It is very important to protect the skin from this kind of damage. You may consider wearing protective UV clothing to achieve this.
A white cotton T-shirt has been shown to offer the equivalent sun protection of an SPF 5 sunscreen. The way in which a material is woven has an impact on the sun protection offered. A tighter knit or weave provides greater protection from harmful UV rays, whereas a looser weave will allow more of the sun's rays through.
Sun protection clothing is very important for babies and children in order to protect their skin from harmful UV rays and prevent skin cancer later in life. If a manufacturer claims that a fabric prevents skin cancer or protects the skin from the sun, it must be able to prove the claims have been substantiated and the product has undergone the appropriate testing. Therefore it is important to choose brands which offer a minimum UPF rating of at least 15.
It is better to use UV protective clothing for children than applying sunscreen as clothing will offer more protection. High SPF lotions sometimes give a false sense of security allowing people to stay in the sun longer than they should. Although sunscreen offers excellent protection, often too little is applied resulting in over-exposure to the sun. People differ in their reactions to UV light and the geographic location also plays a part in the effect of the sun on your skin. UV protection fabrics prevent these variations from having an impact.
Remember : UV rays from the sun can cause skin damage on cloudy days , in any temperature and during any season. Most people receive 80% of their lifetime exposure to the sun by 18 years of age. The message to parents from this is to protect your children. Remember, skin cancer is very slow to develop. The sunburn you receive this week may take 20 years or more to become skin cancer.
There are many products on the market from T-shirts and leggings to full-length childrens UV suits, rash vests and Legionnaires hats. Whatever garments you choose for your child, you will want to ensure that they are truly protected from the sun. UV protective swimwear with a UPF50+ blocks over 97.5% of the sun's ultra violet rays. Such clothing is therefore not just suitable for swimming but can be also worn for a range of outdoor activities such as cycling, sailing, surfing and playing on the beach or in the garden. There are many brands which specialise in the manufacture of sun protection clothing, selling babies and childrens UV suits through to adults sun protection clothing.
Important advice to prevent sun damage is to stay out of the sun between ten o'clock in the morning and four o'clock in the afternoon as this is when the sun is strongest and it's rays are more damaging. Also, remember to use a high factor sunscreen on any exposed skin e.g. face, hands and feet, and wear 100% UV protective sunglasses. Never use sun beds and lamps.
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