Saturday, March 24, 2012

Sun Protection Suits and UV Wear for Children

By Catherine Graham


It is well known that exposure to the sun causes skin damage, causing premature ageing of the skin and more worryingly, skin cancer. We now know how important it is to protect our skin from sun damage and can achieve this by wearing sun protection clothing.

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.

It is very important for infants to be protected from the damaging effects of the sun to prevent skin cancer in adulthood. Any manufacturer of sun protection clothing needs to have fully tested their garments to be approved as UV protective. The garment should be at least UPF 15 in order to be classed as sun protection clothing.

Generally, sun protection clothing provides better protection from the sun than chemical products. Despite offering a high SPF rating, sunscreens can give a false sense of security and the wearer could remain in the sun for too long a period without re-applying. Very often, not enough sunscreen is applied and each individual's skin type reacts differently to the sun's rays. UV protective clothing will eliminate these concerns.

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 body 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.

Always stay away from the sun between 10am and 4pm. This is when the sun is at its strongest and the UV damage will be greatest. Wear 100% UV ray protective sunglasses and a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on exposed areas, and always avoid tanning tubes, sun beds, etc.




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