What protective clothing to protect yourself from the sun?

For good protection against the sun, it is important to wear adequate clothing or fabrics. Whether hats, bathing suits or long-sleeved t-shirts, dermatologists advise an adequate wardrobe. It should be mentioned that premature aging is due to frequent exposure to the sun.

Do the clothes protect from the sun?

It should be noted that all clothing protects the skin against the sun. Even the lightest of clothes acts as a barrier against UV rays. However, some fabrics do not have exactly the same protection. A cotton fabric has low UV protection and cannot filter out all UV. Even UV protective workwear must have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in order to avoid negative effects.

Does the sun shine through clothes?

Even through workwear, the sun's rays can pass through. You can tan and even get sunburned if the fabrics are not anti-UV.

It is best to opt for fabrics made from a polyester or cotton/polyester blend. This represents a better protection against UV rays. Cotton offers elasticity which reduces the UPF (protection factor) of clothing.

How do you know if a fabric is anti-UV?

There are certain criteria to consider in order to know if a fabric is anti-UV. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, optimum protection against ultraviolet UPF is between 5 and 7.

To know if a UV shirt protects from the sun:

To find out if the fabric has better UV protection, tests are carried out. To this end, the highest protection factor has the index of performance of excellent anti-UV protection.

The best thing is to have an anti-UV fabric certified UPF50, which can limit and block up to 97.5% of UV radiation. This complies with the European standard EN 13758-1. The protective clothing are designed in independent laboratories in order to evaluate the effectiveness and capacity of fabrics against UV rays.

In this case, it is enough to favor synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, acrylic or even lycra. However, natural fibers in clothing should be avoided to protect against UV rays:

• Cotton;
• Linen;
• Silk, etc.

Other accessories and products that block solar UV?

During outdoor activities, it is advisable to wear necessary accessories. The goal is to protect the parts of the body against sunburn. Sunglasses with UV protection are still an excellent choice. A hat is also a must as well as sunscreen with a good protection factor.

Which color provides the best protection from the sun?

It is best to choose work clothes in dark colors such as gray, black, brown, etc. With the dark color, the maximum protection of the skin is ensured, being able to avoid sunburn. However, light colors like blue, yellow, white, etc. do not provide optimal protection. This type of color tends to keep the maximum luminosity.