Protective Clothing with UV Defenses - Identifying Quality Pieces
In the heat of summer, it's essential to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun. One effective way to do this is by wearing UV protection clothing. Here's what you need to know about this vital garment.
UV protection clothing is designed to offer additional protection beyond everyday clothing in situations where regular clothing may not provide sufficient protection. The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates the level of protection textiles offer against UV radiation, similar to the SPF on sunscreen. A higher UPF value corresponds to better protection.
Marion Moers-Carpi, a dermatologist from Munich, emphasizes the importance of UV protection clothing, particularly for those spending long hours in the sun. The gold standard for UV protection clothing is the UV standard 801, which is tested under realistic conditions including wetness, stretching, and washing.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) recommends UV protection clothing for individuals whose skin is particularly sensitive to UV radiation, such as children and those with very pale or red-haired skin types. Tightly woven, dark textiles offer the best protection against UV radiation, making them ideal for UV protection clothing.
UV protection clothing is light, breathable, and dries quickly, making it suitable for swimming and hot weather. It is made from tightly woven fabrics, often from nylon, polyester, or blended fabrics. A normal white cotton shirt, for example, has a UPF of 10, which may not be sufficient for prolonged sun exposure.
Other testing standards such as the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4399:1996) and the European Standard (EN 13758-1) are less stringent, testing garments only in the dry and unstretched new condition. However, the gold standard for testing UV protection in clothing is standardized instrumental laboratory methods like AATCC TM183 (USA) and AS/NZS 4399:2017 (Australia/New Zealand). These tests produce a UPF rating that quantifies the fabric’s effectiveness at blocking both UVA and UVB rays.
The quality of UV protection offered by clothing can impact the level of protection an individual receives from the sun. Therefore, the true gold standard for UV protection testing in clothing is standardized instrumental laboratory testing methods like AATCC TM183 and AS/NZS 4399:2017, which objectively measure UV transmission and assign a UPF rating to textiles. This ensures consistent, comparable, and reliable assessment of how well clothing protects skin from harmful UV radiation.
UV protection clothing can be beneficial in outdoor activities where prolonged exposure to the sun is expected, such as hiking, sailing, or working outdoors. By wearing UV protection clothing, we can enjoy our time in the sun while minimizing the risks associated with excessive UV exposure.
In conclusion, UV protection clothing is an essential tool for staying sun-safe. By choosing clothing with a high UPF rating and adhering to the gold standard testing methods, we can ensure we are getting the best protection possible. So, let's embrace the sun safely and responsibly!
- In addition to sunscreen, fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts might consider investing in health-and-wellness products like UV protection clothing, which can offer extra shield against harmful UV rays, especially during outdoor activities such as hiking or sailing.
- Besides avoiding the midday sun, another lifestyle tip for maintaining skin-care is to regularly wear UV protection clothing, since tight, dark textiles with high UPF ratings can provide effective shielding against ultraviolet radiation, as recommended by experts like Marion Moers-Carpi.
- For home-and-garden lovers who enjoy spending time tending their gardens amidst long hours of sunlight, it'd be beneficial to consider incorporating UV protection clothing into their wardrobe, particularly fabrics that have undergone standardized instrumental laboratory tests, like AATCC TM183 or AS/NZS 4399:2017, to ensure optimal protection against UV radiation.
