Posts Tagged ‘sun-protective clothing’
Could Your Clothes Protect You from Skin Cancer?
It’s a trend that’s catching on—sun-protective clothing. Manufacturers claim their products protect the wearer from UV exposure (thereby reducing the risk of skin cancer), remain effective after several washings, and wear comfortably even for those with sensitive skin.
“Our goal is to provide the highest UV protection in a lightweight garment,” says Sun Protective Clothing’s web site, “while maintaining style, comfort, and durability.”
Can certain types of clothes really protect our skin better than others? According to skincancer.org, they can. “As a rule,” the organization says, “light-colored, lightweight and loosely-woven fabrics do not offer much protection from the sun. That white T-shirt you slip on at the beach when you feel your skin burning provides only moderate protection from sunburn, with an average ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 7.”
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