TRC's Commitment to UVA/UVB Protection
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SUN PROTECTION
Understanding the Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays
UVA: Can impact skin more deeply than UVB, causing aging of the skin and wrinkles. UVA rays also weaken the immune system, as well as contribute to skin cancer. They can penetrate clouds and untreated glass.
UVB: This type causes sunburns and can contribute to skin aging and cancer as well as weaken the immune system. UVB rays are the most dangerous between 10 am and 4 pm and can penetrate clouds, but not glass.
WHO NEEDS SUN PROTECTION?
Everyone! Extra measures need to be taken for the following groups:
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and is used to rate the protectiveness of a garment. Unlike sunscreen's SPF number, the UPF rating applies to both UVA and UVB rays.
HOW ARE UPF RATED CLOTHES DIFFERENT THAN 'NON-RATED' GARMENTS?
All clothing offers some degree of protection. A white cotton t-shirt is rated between UPF 5-8, which means it allows up to 20% of UV radiation to reach your skin. According to the original standard, no garment with a rating below UPF 15 can be called 'sun protective'. Thicker, heavier fabrics like denim are naturally protective but are usually too warm to wear for extended periods of time in the sun.
Clothing manufacturers have many ways of improving the protectiveness of garments. Thanks to the following fabric characteristics, lightweight and breathable clothes can also provide high levels of defense.
1. Fabric weave: Tightly woven fibers mean less space between the fibers that UV rays can pass through.
2. Dye: Color does not have a strong effect on sun protection. It is the type and amount of dye in a fabric that affects UPF.
3. Fabric type: Different materials are better at deflecting the sun, such as polyester and nylon, thanks to their molecular structure.
4. Fabric treatments: Garments may have added chemical finishes to increase UPF. These treatments are not harmful to skin, but may lose some effectiveness over the lifetime of the garment.
DOES UPF WEAR OR WASH OUT OF CLOTHING?
Studies have been conducted that show no decrease in UPF rating over at least twenty washes in cotton, polyester and nylon garments.
Understanding the Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays
UVA: Can impact skin more deeply than UVB, causing aging of the skin and wrinkles. UVA rays also weaken the immune system, as well as contribute to skin cancer. They can penetrate clouds and untreated glass.
UVB: This type causes sunburns and can contribute to skin aging and cancer as well as weaken the immune system. UVB rays are the most dangerous between 10 am and 4 pm and can penetrate clouds, but not glass.
WHO NEEDS SUN PROTECTION?
Everyone! Extra measures need to be taken for the following groups:
- -Fair-skinned people
- -Children
- -Anyone with a family history of skin cancer
- -Anyone spending time in locations that increase the sun's power like high elevations, closer to the equator or around reflective surfaces like water and snow
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and is used to rate the protectiveness of a garment. Unlike sunscreen's SPF number, the UPF rating applies to both UVA and UVB rays.
- UPF 15-20 is considered Good
- UPF 25-35 is considered Very Good
- UPF 40-50+ is considered Excellent
HOW ARE UPF RATED CLOTHES DIFFERENT THAN 'NON-RATED' GARMENTS?
All clothing offers some degree of protection. A white cotton t-shirt is rated between UPF 5-8, which means it allows up to 20% of UV radiation to reach your skin. According to the original standard, no garment with a rating below UPF 15 can be called 'sun protective'. Thicker, heavier fabrics like denim are naturally protective but are usually too warm to wear for extended periods of time in the sun.
Clothing manufacturers have many ways of improving the protectiveness of garments. Thanks to the following fabric characteristics, lightweight and breathable clothes can also provide high levels of defense.
1. Fabric weave: Tightly woven fibers mean less space between the fibers that UV rays can pass through.
2. Dye: Color does not have a strong effect on sun protection. It is the type and amount of dye in a fabric that affects UPF.
3. Fabric type: Different materials are better at deflecting the sun, such as polyester and nylon, thanks to their molecular structure.
4. Fabric treatments: Garments may have added chemical finishes to increase UPF. These treatments are not harmful to skin, but may lose some effectiveness over the lifetime of the garment.
DOES UPF WEAR OR WASH OUT OF CLOTHING?
Studies have been conducted that show no decrease in UPF rating over at least twenty washes in cotton, polyester and nylon garments.