Government
Sun Rating Information
Sun-protective Clothing
Sun-protective clothing offers another way to protect skin from the harmful
effects of the sun. Sun-protective fabrics differ from typical summer
fabrics in several ways: they typically have a tighter weave or knit and
are usually darker in color. Sun-protective clothes have a label listing
the garment's Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) value, that is, the
level of protection the garment provides from the sun's ultraviolet (UV)
rays. The higher the UPF, the higher the protection from the sun's UV
rays.
The UPF rating indicates how much of the sun's UV radiation is absorbed
by the fabric. For example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 20 only allows
1/20th of the sun's UV radiation to pass through it. This means that this
fabric will reduce your skin's UV radiation exposure by 20 times where
it's protected by the fabric.
Everything above UPF 50 may be labeled UPF 50+; however, these garments
may not offer substantially more protection than those with a UPF of 50.
Also, a garment shouldn't be labeled "sun-protective" or "UV-protective"
if its UPF is less than 15. Sun-protective clothing may lose its effectiveness
if it's too tight or stretched out, damp or wet, and if it has been washed
or worn repeatedly.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/sun.htm
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Sun Screen is appropriate for skin that cannot be protected by clothing.
• Heavy applications 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. (Follow the Labeled Directions)
• Reapply Frequently (Follow the Labeled Directions)
• Use only “Full Spectrum” or UVA + UVB, because just one or the other leaves you unprotected. The higher the SPF the better.
• Don’t be fooled into longer exposure time. And avoid exposure during Peak hours 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Look for physical blocks like Zinc or TiO2 instead of organic sun screens.
• Try to find wax based sun screens that contain the least fragrance and other irritants.
UPF RATING
40-50+ Excellent UV protection Blocks 97.5%-98.0%
25-35 Very Good UV protection Blocks
96.0%-97.4%
15-20 Good UV protection Blocks
93.3%-95.8%