How to Choose Sun Protection Clothing

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is the rating given to clothing and textiles for its broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB (Ultraviolet B) rays are responsible for producing sunburn. The UVA (Ultraviolet A) rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and play a greater role in premature skin aging changes including wrinkle formation.

The difference between UPF vs SPF is that SPF is a factor for lotions, whereas UPF is a factor of clothing and fabrics. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which measures the amount of time it takes for sunscreen to protect the skin from UBV rays and sunburn. Sun protection fabric is just as important as wearing sunscreen.

Sun protective clothing acts as a barrier between you and the sun rays, similar to sunscreen. Jeremy Brauer, M.D, a dermatologist in NYC and spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation says, "Clothing in general has some sun protection, but sun-protective brands bump that up significantly higher." This is evident when you compare sun protection fabrics to regular fabrics. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, only 2% of UV rays can go through UPF clothing whereas up to 20% of the UV rays can pass through regular clothing, increasing the chance of skin cancer.

Fabrics such as bamboo, wool, silk and some synthetics are great UV protective fabrics. Stretch, weave, treatments and weight may also come into effect when it comes to choosing the best fabric for sun protection. When it comes to the best colour for sun protection, this also plays a factor. Darker colours will absorb more UV than lighter colours such as whites and pastels, which may be naturally more transparent. Bright and vibrant colours are also great for sun protection.The more vivid the colour, the greater the protection.

The UPF rating indicates what fraction of the rays can penetrate the fabric. A piece of clothing labelled UPF 50, for example, allows just 1/50th of the UV radiation to reach your skin. The higher the UPF rating, the lower the radiation and harm is transmitted to the skin. When Bamboo Body tested their range, the ultraviolet protection factor of most of our clothing exceeded the protection level of 50. As the standard for UPF certification stops at 50, we indicate that we go above this by using the "+" symbol, so you know our sun protective clothing can block more than 98% of UV rays. UPF 30 blocks 97% of UV radiation while UPF 50+ blocks 98%-100%.

Yes, sun protective clothing is absolutely necessary! UV lights account for 95% of the sun's rays that hit the earth. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a white cotton T-shirt provides only moderate sun protection, with a UPF of about 7. Did you know that many people are getting sunburnt through the micro holes of their regular clothes? This leads to the fact that 2 in 3 people are diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. If your fabric is loosely woven, or has been stretched over time, this too can have an impact. As we age, our skin becomes thinner which gives us a greater risk of getting skin cancer and serious skin conditions. This type of ageing can be preventative with sun protective clothing!

Yes! Bamboo fabric is fantastic for UV protection with the ability to resist UV rays up to 98% (UPF 50+). Again, construction, weave and finishings all make an additional impact when it comes to providing strong UV protection.

There are only four UPF ratings for clothing: UPF15, 30, 50 or 50+. Material with a UPF rating of 30 would only allow 1/30th (3.3%) of UV falling on its surface to pass through it, blocking 96.7% of UV. Any fabric rated above UPF15 provides minimum protection against UV. UPF50 and UPF50+ (excellent protection) are recommended.Fabrics such as bamboo are incredible when it comes to UV protection. However, fabrics do not need to be UPF rated to provide protection. Some characteristics that provide protection include;

• Fabric structure - the tighter the fabric structure the better the sun protection.
• Tension - a fabric will be less protective when stretched.
• Layering - Layering your clothing is an effective way to increase protection from UV. 
• Colour - Darker colours work better at absorbing UV radiation.
• Moisture content - fabrics may offer less protection from UV radiation when wet.
• Care - Be wary of old and faded clothing that may offer decreased protection over time.
• Other treatments - some clothing pieces are treated with certain chemicals that make it more UPF friendly.

Clothing pieces with tight fabric structure, thick tension, dark shades and extra UV protective treatments serve as the best clothing for sun protection.

Yes. While our sun safe clothing is guaranteed to protect you from 99.8% of UVA/UVB rays, sunscreen should still be worn in areas where the skin is exposed. Experts recommend protecting all your skin with not only sun protective clothing but also hats, broad-spectrum sunscreen and lip balm of SPF 30 or higher. Dermatologist, Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD states "protective clothing and broad-rimmed hats are one of the most important steps when it comes to safe sun practices in my opinion."Sunscreen is still an integral part of your sun protection routine. Please keep in mind that sun safe clothing cannot completely replace your sunscreen routine. It is still important to use both SPF sunscreen and UPF sun protective clothing for optimal sun protection.

The 4 things you can wear to protection yourself from the sun are;

• A wide brimmed hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sun protective clothing - long sleeves and lightweight materials
• SPF 30 or higher.

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Here at Bamboo Body, our fabrics are tested and certified by Australian Government Agency, ARPANSA. All garments listed as UPF 50+ have been awarded the maximum UPF 50+ sun protection rating, meaning they offer broad spectrum protection that blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays. 

The UPF rating scale is between 15 and 50: 15-24: Good 25 - 39: Very Good 40 or higher: Excellent.

Most of our fabrics exceed UPF50+ sun protection. The fabric composition, colour and construction can all impact the UPF rating. Since we have so many different colours, blends and thicknesses of fabric we list the UPF rating on each individual item product description.

The icon displayed on the product description will identify the lowest ever UPF protection factor rating the fabric has received. If UPF protection is important to you, look for the UPF rating of 50+.

At Bamboo Body we offer a large range of affordable sun protective clothing for all body shapes and sizes, and whilst UPF 50+ clothing has traditionally been utilitarian and not style-focussed, the Bamboo Body collection offers a wide range of everyday styles to suit any occasion. We offer lightweight sun protective clothing that is breathable and odour resistant, meaning you can wear long sleeve pieces in the summertime. Our UV protective fabric has been made for work, weekends and everything in between!

You can view our curated UPF sun protective clothing capsule here. This selection includes styles with more coverage - higher necklines, longer sleeves and bottom lengths. Our affordable sun protective clothing range is something we are incredibly proud of as a small Australian business. To get maximum sun protection we recommend looking for styles that cover more skin. We have kept in mind that wearing longer sleeves and higher necklines can tend to make us overheat. Therefore, our bamboo products are essential for the warmer months; while achieving a UPF rating of 50+, they are also lightweight and breathable! Studies show that bamboo clothing is more breathable than cotton and its moisture wicking properties help keep your body fresh and dry.