Cover Up
For protection we cover
ears, brain, & eyes
We must think about covering
the skin
Covering up with clothing and a hat is more efficient and more effective than sunscreen
Clothing
Parents often do remind their children to bundle up before going outside when the weather is cold, yet getting a chill doesn’t cause cancer.
To prevent skin cancer, we are disadvantaged because our senses can not recognize when the ultraviolet radiation level is high.
The strength of UV is not directly tied to the temperature so weather is not a completely reliable indicator.
Because we have no built-in UV warning system, long clothing makes very good sense as a skin cancer prevention strategy.
A sunburn or tan may signal that damage has been done but by then it’s too late.
Not only is clothing more efficient than sunscreen, it’s certainly more economical when protecting large areas of the body.
SPF vs. UPF vs. GPF EXPLAINED
UPF, as applied to fabric or clothing, stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It can be determined through laboratory testing and is comparable to the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) that sunscreens provide.
Studies have shown that white fabrics have higher UPF when dyed. Darker and more intense colors generally yield a higher UPF than light or muted shades.
A white T-shirt has a low UPF to start with, and that’s reduced by half when it’s wet. Many sunburns have occurred to people who chose to protect with just a white tee for a day at the beach.
Fiber type and weave also influence UPF. Polyester tends to be more protective than cotton and of course a tighter weave does better than a loose weave to prevent UV from passing through.
GPF is the Garment Protection Factor and takes into account not just the UPF but also the amount of body surface area (BSA) covered by the garment. If the exact same fabric is used to make a short-sleeved shirt and a long-sleeved hoodie, obviously the hoodie would have the higher GPF value because it covers more skin.
Common Sense
When shopping for clothing, simply thinking about sun protection is a major step in the right direction. It would be reassuring if the garment listed a high UPF or GPF but often there will be no rating given. However, if you hold the fabric up toward a bright light you can get a sense of how much light is passing through compared to something relatively impenetrable, like blue denim.
Unlike sunscreen, clothing doesn't weaken after spending a couple of hours in the sun.
A small hole in a garment will let sunlight pass through but clothing tends to shift around compared to a stationary spot of skin that was missed when sunscreen was applied. For these reasons plus more, clothing usually provides better sun protection than sunscreen. But, like sunscreen, clothing only works when it’s worn!
If your outdoor activity will entail rather intense sun exposure, such as swimming, hiking, playing golf, etc., highly sun-protective clothing is most strongly advised.
When the weather is hot, long sleeves are counterintuitive. Fortunately, some manufacturers now offer long-sleeved high-UPF garments that are also lightweight and loose-fitting to avert overheating.
Hats
A hundred years ago it was essentially considered improper to leave the house without a hat. But, fashions changed and now it’s an uphill battle to convince some people to wear a hat for sun protection.
The most popular hat in the U.S. is the baseball cap. It does a good job of protecting the top of the head and forehead. But, the ears, neck, and lower face remain exposed, and therefore at risk for developing skin cancer. We can, and should, do better!
A hat with a wide brim all around is a much better choice. It will significantly reduce the amount of skin that’s still in need of protection with sunscreen.
Covering up with long clothing and a wide-brimmed hat is an excellent sun protection strategy, and greatly reduces the area of skin that remains in need of sunscreen.
Sun Safety Tip Number One
