The sun's warm glow is one of the greatest joys of being outside. It's important to enjoy it in moderation, as with many other pleasures of life. Sunlight can cause sunburns, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. This is where UPF clothing from Boat Bitch Apparel comes into play.
You can have greater control over the amount of UV exposure by choosing clothing that has been tested and designed to protect you from the sun.
This article will discuss:
- UPF clothing is beneficial for everyone.
- What does UPF rating mean?
- UPF clothing features
- Factors that increase or reduce sun protection
This article will help you understand UPF.
To determine the true level of UV protection, always check for the garment's UPF rating that has been lab tested.
However, it is important to consider your options when choosing sun protection.
- UV protection is usually higher in darker fabrics than in lighter fabrics.
- Weavings with dense weaves offer more UV protection than those with looser weaves.
- Nylon and polyester offer greater sun protection than natural fibers.
UPF Clothing for Whom Can It Benefit?
UPF-rated clothing is beneficial for anyone who wants to protect themselves from UV-related health risks.
- Sun-sensitive people: People whose skin is easily burned or freckled are more susceptible to UV rays. Sunburn can be caused by a variety of factors, including skin that is lighter in pigmentation or has many moles.
- People with darker skin tones: On the one hand, darker pigmentation means that there is more melanin, which offers UV protection. However, darker pigmentation can make UV damage more difficult to spot and may cause you or your doctor to be less vigilant.
- Children and seniors: Children have sensitive, thin skin that can be damaged early on. This increases the likelihood of developing serious health problems later in life. As they age, skin damage can also build up and increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
- People living at high elevations or near snow or water. The UV radiation intensity of the air is higher in areas where the sun is directly overhead.
- People who take medications: Sun sensitivity can be increased by a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines and antibiotics. For sun safety, double-check your medications.
What does UPF Ratings mean?
UPF is the rating system for apparel. It is similar to SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which is the rating system for sunscreen products. SPF refers to the sunscreen's ability to block UVB rays. This is considered to be the most damaging type of light. UPF is a measure of a fabric's ability to filter both ultraviolet A (UVA), and ultraviolet B (UVB).
It is easy to shop for sun protection. Look out for higher UPF ratings and more skin coverage.
|
UPF rating |
Protection Category |
UV Effective Transmission (%) |
|
15 |
Minimum |
6.7 |
|
30 |
Good |
3.3 |
|
50+ |
Excellent |
2.0 |
A UPF 30 rating means that a garment's fabric will allow 1/30th (roughly 3%) of UV radiation to pass through. UPF 50 garments allow only 1/5th (roughly 2%) UV transmission. UPF 50+ is a fabric that allows less UV transmission than 2 percent.
Why do you not see UPF 15 ratings? Fabrics below UPF15 are not considered to be UV-protective. For example, a white cotton T-shirt with a UPF rating of 5 means that approximately 1/5th (roughly 20%)of UV radiation passes through it.
Factors to enhance UPF ratings - Shoppers simply need to look for the UPF rating printed on garment labels or hang tags. These factors will be considered by clothing manufacturers when attempting to attain that level of sun protection.
- Construction: A dense, tight construction reduces the UV light that passes through. You may also notice a decrease in UV transmission when thicker fabrics are used.
- Color: In general, darker colors block more UV rays from reaching your skin (including UV rays). More saturated colors are more effective than those with a lighter color.
- To enhance UPF, you can add dyes and chemicals that absorb UV light to your chemical.
- Fiber type Polyester is a great UV-disruptor, just like nylon. Silk and wool are moderately effective. Without any additional treatments, cotton, rayon, flax, and hemp fabrics score low.
Factors that decrease the effectiveness of UPF-rated boating clothes for woman: Whether you're packing new clothing or your favorite boating apparel to take on a trip to the coast, the following are important:
- Fabric wetness Wetness in fabric: Many types of fabrics can experience a significant decrease in their UPF rating. However, some studies suggest that polyester may be slightly more resistant to water when wet.
- Fabric wear: When a fabric is worn or faded, its UV-blocking ability decreases.
- Fabric stretch: Stretched fabrics can lose significant amounts of their UPF. Consider replacing any item that is too tight.
How washing women's protective boat wear affects UPF ratings: Depending on a number of factors, washing your sea wear can increase or decrease UPF.
- Detergents containing brighteners: Although most detergents have them, and most brighteners enhance UPF, it's impossible to know if a particular detergent will improve your garment's rating.
- Shrinkage A garment can be shrinkage to give it a tighter weave. This can help increase its UPF.
- Clothing that depends on finishes to determine its UPF rating. Finishes may vary in their durability. UPF will decrease if a finish is worn. You should check to make sure your garment's UPF rating can withstand a certain number of washes.
- Clothing that depends on the fabric's inherent properties to determine its UPF rating: UPF should not be altered by washing, unless it decreases due to wear or fade.
UPF Clothing Features
- Extended coverage - Some shirts come with flip-up sun collars, while others may have cuffs that extend the coverage to the back of your hands. Look for broad brims or neck caps in hats.
- Tight weaves and thick fabrics can heat up the inside. So make sure to look for ventilation options such as overlapping panels and mesh behind zippers. These will allow air to circulate freely without exposing too much skin.
- A looser cut avoids tight fitting garments. They can be significantly less effective in blocking UV light. A looser cut, rigid fabric can increase thermal comfort by allowing for air movement.
- Fabrics that dry quickly - Wetness may cause a material's UPF rating to drop significantly. Having a garment that dries quickly can help you get your full UPF rating back sooner. Another strategy is to pack dry UPF-rated clothing.
Sun Protection beyond UPF Clothing
It is important to ensure that you wear UPF-rated boating clothing for woman , but total protection requires a multifaceted approach.
- Clothing - Ultra-protective clothing for your skin that covers a large portion of it.
- Sunscreen - Apply sunscreen liberally to all areas of the skin with a high-sPF rating. Sunscreen performance decreases with age so it is important to reapply frequently.
- Sunglasses - Choose ones that provide 100% UV-ray protection.
- Shade - Use shade whenever you can. Remember that water, snow, and reflective surfaces can all increase UV exposure.
- UV exposure time - Limit your UV radiation exposure, especially during peak hours (roughly 9am-3pm).
- Sun protection doesn't have to be for sunny days - Filtered sunlight can still cause skin damage, so make sure you protect your skin even on cloudy days.
These precautions will help keep your skin healthy. You'll be able to enjoy the outdoors more easily if you are smart about the sun. Check out the selection of Boat Bitch Apparel on our online shop. Contact us if you have any questions regarding UPF, sizing, or any other inquires you might have.