A common concern for many people, especially parents with children, is how to prevent skin cancer. Prevention begins with limiting the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light that your skin is exposed to. This includes the use of UV protective clothing, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.
UV protective clothing is made of a special fabric that is designed to block UV rays from reaching the skin. It is available in swim wear, trousers, shirts, dresses and hats. Some stores even carry accessories such as bandannas, scarves, gloves, wraps and umbrellas, all of which are capable of blocking UV rays – an excellent way to look great in the sun! Clothing and accessories come in all sizes from infant to adults.
Just like sunscreen, sun protective clothing is rated according to the amount of protection it offers. Unlike sunscreen, however, the rating includes both UVA and UVB. The rating, referred to as Ultraviolet Protection Factor or UVF, tells you how much radiation can pass through the fabric. A shirt labelled with a UVF of 40 allows 1/40th of UV radiation to pass to the skin and blocks the remaining 39/40ths. This equates to 97.5% of the sun’s harmful rays being blocked. Continue reading ‘How to Prevent Skin Cancer – Could What You Wear Decrease Your Risk?’ »