Although your clothes protect your skin, ordinary fabrics may not provide as much sun protection. This blog compares UPF clothing by Boat Bitch Apparel and normal clothes to help you understand the importance of sun protection clothing.
The Sun - Friend or Foe?
It may seem paradoxical that one of the greatest sources of life in the world can also be harmful to our health. Too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. Sun smart does not mean that you should avoid the sun. It's about being able to enjoy the sun while remaining safe.
SPF sunscreen is the first line of defense against sunburn. However, sunscreen's inconsistency can be attributed to the need to reapply as well as the time required before exposure. Sun protective clothing for woman should have a high UPF rating, according to dermatologists. UPF material, which can block up to 98% UV rays, is a better choice than SPF.
What is UPF?
UPF is an acronym for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how well fabric can block UV radiation from the sun. UPF is the amount of protection that a piece of clothing can offer. The highest possible sun protective rating for fabrics, UPF50+, is the maximum.
Different fabrics offer different levels of protection. Clothing with a UPF rating below 30+ is not considered to be protective. A normal tee-shirt will have a UPF rating 5 which means that approximately 1/5th (roughly 20%)of UV radiation penetrates its fabric and reaches the skin.
Sun protective clothing that has a UPF rating 50+ will only allow 2% of UV radiation to reach your skin. Dr Deshan Sebaratnam is an Australian dermatologist who specializes in skin disease and health.
How is UPF determined?
There are many factors that influence the effectiveness of UPF clothing for woman. UPF rating for any piece of womans boat clothing is determined by the fabric type, weave density, thickness, weight, color and condition.
- Weave density: The tighter a knit or weave is, the better. It doesn't protect, regardless of how many clothes you have.
- Type of fabric: Different fabrics block UV radiation better than others. Synthetic materials such as nylon, acrylic, nylon, lycra, and rayon reflect more UV light and are therefore more protected.
- Color: The darker, the better. It is tempting to choose light colors in hot weather. However, the UPF rating for darker fabrics is higher because they absorb more UV radiation than fabric of a similar color.
- Thickness, weight and size: The heavier and thicker the better.
- Tension or stretch? The more stretchy, the better.
- Moisture Content: Fabrics with a lower UPF tend to get wetter. A thin, white cotton shirt may have a UPF 5 when dry but a t-shirt made of cotton may only have a 3 when wet.
- Fabric condition: As clothes get older, fabrics will deteriorate. This will reduce the UPF rating.
The Reality
Dr Sebaratnam says that UPF clothes and sunscreen are essential elements of your protection against the sun. UPF clothing may be great, but we won't always wear it. Even if we did, it's likely that some parts of our bodies will be exposed to sunlight at some point. SPF is our second line defense against sun damage in such instances. You should remember that not all sunscreens work the same. Make sure you choose broad spectrum coverage that blocks both UVA as well as UVB radiation.
Boat Bitch Apparel
Browse through Boat Bitches vast catalog of boating clothes for women to find the perfect outfit for your sailing, fishing, and just overall boating experience. Boat Bitch Apparel has UPF infused women's sailing clothing to help protect your skin while out in the sun. UPF is an acronym for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how well womans boating fabric can block UV radiation from the sun. UPF is the amount of protection that a piece of clothing can offer. The highest possible sun protective rating for fabrics, UPF50+, is the maximum. So choose Boat Bitch Apparel, style and protection all in one! Feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions you might have and stay on the lookout for new womans boat clothing.