Did you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States? Almost 10 thousand people receive a diagnosis every single day.
One of the best ways to protect your skin is through UV protective clothing. This type of clothing does the heavy lifting of protecting your skin from sun exposure and harmful UV rays.
Want to learn more about UV protective clothing? Here are some of the main benefits that can prevent you from skin cancer and early skin aging.
UPF vs SPF
You may see the claims on your sunscreen bottle that it offers SPF protection. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Although SPF is a good start for UV protection, you should also be aware of UPF.
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. For UV protective clothing, you will often see a UPF number that shows the UV rays that reach your skin. For example, a UPF of over 50 means that you can get the best protection from your UV protective clothing.
Don’t Rely Completely on Sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential when you go out for any length of time that you may have sun exposure. Experts even recommend applying a low SPF sunblock every day, especially to your face.
When you have UV protective clothing, you can combine it with sunscreen to benefit the most. If you’re constantly exposed to the sun, make sure to reapply sunblock frequently to maximize its effects.
If you want to apply less sunscreen, simply use more UV protective clothing in your wardrobe. For example, long-sleeved shirts and pants will cover up most of your body. That way, you can focus your sunblock on your hands, feet, neck, and face.
Avoid Skin Cancer
Too much exposure to the sun is one of the most common causes of skin cancer. In fact, current studies estimate that one-fifth of Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their life.
UV protective clothing can cover up most of the vulnerable skin on your body so that you do not have to worry as much about sunscreen. Because it deflects harmful UV rays, skin cover up methods will prevent as much exposure in general.
There are other ways you can lower your risk of skin cancer, such as staying out of the sun and always wearing sunscreen. You should also stay away from tanning beds and opt for a spray tan or tanning lotion instead.
Enjoy Water Sports
If you enjoy water sports, such as surfing, water polo, or waterskiing, then you probably think it is a pain to constantly reapply sunscreen. When you are in the middle of an activity, you may forget and get sunburned as a result.
With UV protective clothing, you can block a good percentage of UV rays without having to worry about putting on more sunblock. You will have protection for as long as you need to, without having to interrupt your water sports.
When you go in the water more frequently, you may go through UV protective clothing at a faster rate. If you want to know how to tell if your UV clothing still works to its full potential, you should look for visible signs of wear and tear.
Generally, you should try to replace your protective clothing every two to three years. That way, you will always have maximum coverage when you go out on the water.
Delay Signs of Aging
When you have constant sun exposure to your skin, it quickly leads to more aging. Although lying out on the beach and tanning naturally may seem like a good idea, it can cause sunspots and wrinkles.
A good SPF sunblock can work wonders on your face, but what about other parts of your body? Rather than slathering on sunscreen repeatedly, you can simply put on your protective clothing.
If you enjoy basking in the sun, then you can truly have the best of both worlds with UV protective clothing. You can soak up the sun’s rays, while still delaying the early skin aging that sun exposure causes.
Avoid Sunburns
Sunburns can quickly put a damper on an otherwise fun and exciting day in the sun. Even though sunscreen does a great job blocking most sunburns, it can still fail and leave you with a nasty burn.
In addition, some of the more sensitive areas of your body include your stomach and inner arms, and legs. These places do not get as much exposure to the elements, so the skin is more vulnerable to burning.
For the most protection from sunburns, try covering every surface you can with UV protective clothing. Leggings, pants, and long-sleeved shirts are your best bet.
Even if you do get burned while wearing protective clothing, it will not be as brutal as if your skin was completely exposed. Treat your burns with aloe vera and lukewarm or cool showers and baths.
Be Prepared for Sudden Sunny Weather
When you’re out and about, you should have supplies ready for any type of weather. For example, when you are on vacation and the weather gets cloudy, you may want to have clothing available if the weather suddenly shifts.
If you always have UV protective clothing, you can be prepared for any situation that requires sun protection. For instance, if you forgot your sunscreen, you can rely on your clothes to help block the sun’s rays.
So Many Benefits of UV Protective Clothing
When it comes to UV protection, you should not have to worry about harmful effects like sunburn, increasing your risk of skin cancer, or other issues. With UV protective clothing, you can be safe and comfortable in any sunny situation.
Would you like to learn more about taking care of your body and mind in the best way possible? Check out our site for tips, tricks, and answers to all of your questions.
