As I’ve been driving around lately, I keep seeing billboards advertising SPF clothing. Since the Northern Hemisphere is officially starting summer on June 21st (though it may feel differently in some parts of the country), it’s a good time to look at skin protection!
Basically, sun protective clothing uses fabric to protect your skin from the sun. Sounds simple, right?
Sun protective clothing was developed in Australia in the 1990s. Why Australia? That country has the highest skin cancer numbers in the whole world — two out of three Australians will be treated for skin cancer during their lifetimes according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. During the 1980s, anti-cancer education programs encouraged Australians to reduce their sun exposure through clothing, hats, and sunscreen. A decade later, Australian scientists developed specially woven fabrics that could absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Clothing is rated by UPF — ultraviolet protection factor — the same way sunscreens are rated by SPF (sun protection factor). A garment that is rated UPF 50 blocks ninety-eight percent of UVA and UVB radiation. In other words, it allows only one-fiftieth of the radiation through to your skin.
If you want to try out sun protective clothing for yourself, there are a few things to look for on the label:
- UPF ratings. The highest rating available is 50+. Most summer clothes have a rating of 30 or less.
- Testing by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).
- Testing by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
- Weave — the tighter the better when it comes to sun protection.
- Color — the darker the better when it comes to sun protection.
- Stretch — less stretch means better sun protection.
Most fabrics do lose their UV protection ability as they age — the exception is cotton fabrics. Cotton fabrics that shrink as they age actually offer MORE sun protection over time.