With summer quickly approaching, parents should begin to think about protecting their children from increased sun exposure by stocking up on tubes of SPF 15 (or greater) sunscreen. But, how often do we plan out our children’s summer wardrobe to include proper protection from the sun, as well?
It may surprise you to find out that simply covering your child’s skin with any clothing may not provide them with suitable protection from the sun! For instance, the average white T-shirt (not an uncommon piece of clothing for a child to wear during the summer) provides about 7 SPF of protection, get it wet and this may decrease to as low as 3 SPF.
So how can we tell if the clothing we purchase for our kids will offer proper protection from the sun? By the UPF rating indicated on its label. The UPF rating system was introduced in the U.S. in January of 2001 to indicate how much UVA and UVB protection a piece of clothing offers. The ratings are based upon the fabric’s content, weave, construction, color and the existence of any additives. Ratings from 15 to 24 indicate good protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Very good protection is provided from clothing with ratings of 25 to 39 and excellent protection with ratings above 40.
So, when you shop for summer clothes this year, don’t just look at the brand name, check out the garment’s UPF rating and don’t forget to get wide-brimmed hats with at least three inches all around for you and your kids. Most caps worn during the summer months either protect the face or the neck, not both. Wide-brimmed hats are a must for preventing the areas often sunburned: under the eyes and on the neck below the hairline. And just like clothes, hats can carry UPF ratings that indicated how tightly woven the material is the tighter the weave, the greater the protection!
For more information about how to protect you and your family with the right kind of clothing, please contact us at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at 661-254-3686 or visit www.CreatingBeauty.com/SummerClothes .