As the spring blossoms, it's time to head outdoors. But don't forget, even though the temperature might not be soaring, the UV rays are getting stronger, making sunscreen protection essential this season!
When it comes to sun protection, many people are turning to sun protection clothing. But faced with countless options on shopping platforms, one headache-inducing question arises: How do you choose the right sun protection clothing? Is more expensive really better?
Here's the gist:
How Does Sun Protection Clothing Work?
Before picking out the right sun protection clothing, let's understand how it works.
The fabrics we wear daily actually have some level of UV protection. When UV rays hit the fabric's surface, they undergo reflection, scattering, and absorption. As a result, the amount of UV reaching the skin's surface decreases, reducing UV damage.
Sun protection clothing operates on similar principles but is more specialized. Currently, sun protection fabrics achieve UV protection through two main methods:
Blocking Principle: Enhances the fabric's ability to reflect and scatter UV rays. This can be achieved by applying blocking agents to the fabric's inner layer or adding them to the fabric's fibers.
Absorption Principle: Enhances the fabric's ability to absorb UV rays, converting them into heat energy or harmless low-energy radiation. This can be achieved by using dyes with good UV absorption properties during fabric dyeing or by applying UV-absorbing agents to the fabric.
Choosing Sun Protection Clothing: Look for This Label
In China, sun protection textiles must meet the basic requirements of the national standard GB/T 18830-2009 "Evaluation of Textile UV Protection Performance". This standard stipulates that "textile products must achieve UPF > 40 and UVA transmittance < 5% to be considered UV protective".
Why focus on these two indicators?
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures the effectiveness of a fabric in protecting skin from UV radiation. The higher the UPF value, the better the fabric's UV protection. However, consumers don't need to chase excessively high UPF values. A UPF of 50 provides high UV protection, and further increases in UPF offer minimal additional benefits.
UVA, the longest wavelength UV radiation, penetrates deeply into the skin's dermis, damaging elastic and collagen fibers. The lower the UVA transmittance, the better the fabric's UV protection.
When purchasing sun protection clothing, consumers should look for clear labeling that indicates compliance with the national standard GB/T 18830-2009. This label should include:
Is it better to go for pricier sun protection clothing? And should you choose dark or light colors?Currently, sun protection clothing on the market varies in price from tens to over a hundred dollars. Generally, it's advisable to invest in sun protection clothing priced above a hundred CNY, as they often reflect better quality in terms of fabric, design, and craftsmanship. Cheaper options may not offer adequate protection.
While some sun protection clothing may come with a hefty price tag, much of it may be attributed to brand premiums and design aesthetics rather than significantly improved UV protection. As long as the clothing meets national standards, the difference in UV protection between high-end and mid-range options may not be substantial.
When it comes to color selection, dark-colored clothing with thicker fabric tends to offer better UV protection since most UV rays are absorbed by the fabric, reducing the amount reaching the skin. However, in hot summer weather, the inherent advantage of thick, dark clothing in UV protection can become a drawback as it may lead to increased body heat due to UV absorption.
Professional sun protection clothing, however, can provide sufficient UV protection regardless of color or thickness. In such cases, opting for lightweight sun protection clothing in lighter colors can offer both sun protection and comfort.
How often should sun protection clothing be replaced?
The UV protection efficacy of sun protection clothing diminishes over time with usage. Factors affecting this include duration of use, environmental temperature during use, exposure to sweat or moisture, frequency of washing, and general wear and tear.
Long-term exposure to sunlight, repetitive folding and stretching of clothing during wear, and exposure to sweat and heat can gradually damage the fabric and UV protective coatings, reducing their effectiveness.
Washing can cause the UV protective coating on the fabric surface to wear off, further diminishing UV protection. Additionally, since sun protection clothing typically features thin fabric, surface abrasion during wear can lead to loose fabric structure, increasing UV transmission.
As an ordinary consumer, it's challenging to test the UV protection performance of fabric before use. However, signs such as fading, sagging, transparency, and deformation of the fabric indicate a need to replace sun protection clothing.
Scientific studies suggest that sun protection clothing loses 100% of its UV protection efficacy after three years of use, which can serve as a reference for when to replace them.
Many sun protection clothing claim to be waterproof or splash-proof. While using them as temporary raincoats in light rain might not significantly compromise their UV protection, it's not advisable to rely on them as raincoats for prolonged exposure to rain. Their waterproofing and splash-proofing capabilities typically don't match those of dedicated rainwear.
Apart from sun protection clothing, many people opt for using sun umbrellas or wearing arm sleeves for sun protection. While sun umbrellas effectively block direct sunlight, they may not shield against reflected or scattered sunlight from surfaces. Arm sleeves primarily protect the arms and are a localized sun protection measure.
Sun protection clothing, sun umbrellas, and arm sleeves are all effective sun protection tools. It's advisable for consumers to choose the most suitable sun protection measure based on specific scenarios.
