According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common cause of cancer in the USA, with more than one million new cases each year; one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their life time. The best way to avoid skin damage and possible skin cancer is to avoid the sun but with children, this is just not practical.
The next best thing is to do whatever you can to avoid the harmful effects of a sun burn. Purchasing sun protection clothing for your child to wear this summer may be helpful in protecting your child’s skin against the possibility of future skin cancer. Such clothing is beneficial in that unlike sunscreens, it doesn’t wear off quickly or wash off in water and continues to protect covered areas all day.
What is Sun Protection Clothing?
Sun protection clothing is a relatively new idea and was initially conceived as UV protective clothing for the beach, but now you can find such children’s clothing available for everyday wear. Sun protective clothing was originally developed in Australia but is becoming popular world wide, as it is an easy and reliable form of protection against the sun.
The clothing is designed to act as a barrier against the sun in a similar way to the way sunscreen works; the fabric has been treated with a sun block and will offer a UPF protection of between 15-50+. To find sun protection clothing recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology, visit their website to find products that meet their seal of approval.
UPF Ratings
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is a rating system that measures how much of the sun’s radiation is absorbed by the clothing. Sun protection clothing that has a UPF rating of 50 is the highest rating available, will reduce the skin's exposure by at least 97%, and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Clothing with a UPF rating of 50 only allows 1/50th of the UV rays through the garment.
Choosing Sun Protection Clothing
Be very careful when you choose sun protection clothing to get the best possible sun protection for your child. Choose clothing that covers as much skin as possible to provide full coverage protection but look for fabric that still feels comfortable to wear and allows the skin to breathe and feel cool. The outfit must be lightweight and not restrict movement. Buy only sun protection clothing with a UPF of 50 which will provide excellent protection.
You can find sun protection clothing available for all ages including infants and toddlers, all the way up to teens. Look for hats, shirts, pants and one piece swim suits. Be careful to observe the care instructions of the clothing to ensure that the protection remains optimal. The UPF rating should be clearly stated on the label of the clothing.
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