What makes fabric upf

This is the wavelength that causes sunburn. It is a major cause of skin cancer and also contributes to premature skin aging.

Apply sunscreen to exposed skin. Wear clothing that blocks the sun. Type of Material: Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester do a good job of blocking UV.

Bleached cotton is a poor barrier material. Fabric Treatments: Chemicals that absorb or disrupt UV radiation can be added by the manufacturer. However, higher concentrations of these UV-disrupting dyes tend to make protective fabrics darker. Fair-skinned individuals that sunburn easily. People who spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in the summer months and in areas with increased sun intensity, such as those closer to the equator and near sun-reflective surfaces like water, sand and snow.

Children often object to sunscreen lotions, so sun protective clothing is much easier on adults than chasing kids down to regularly reapply sunscreens. In , 9, people in the United States died from skin cancer, more than one an hour. Whitewater Kayaking.

Kayak Touring. Stand-Up Paddling. For most fabrics, there are two traditional ways they can be made UPF Unfortunately, this process is not eco-friendly, and the chemicals typically wash out after a few laundry cycles.

The second way to make a fabric UPF 50 is to make sure the fabric is tightly woven. The tighter the weave, the more sun protective a garment is, as holes in between the fibers allow sunlight to get through unimpeded.

The most common fabrics with these tight weaves are denim and polyester, which both have a UPF of 1, But who wants to wear these heavy and uncomfortable fabrics during the hot summer months? Luminora Technology. The third way, which we call the Luminora way, resolves the problem of having to choose between comfort and sun protection.

All clothing disrupts UV radiation, even if only in small amounts. You can use the same factors to determine if a regular piece of clothing is efficient at blocking UV rays. Dark-colored clothing is better than lighter shades, but the real blocking power comes from the type of dye used to color the fabric. The higher the concentration of certain premium UV-blocking dyes, the more rays they disrupt. Clothing manufacturers may add chemicals that absorb UV light to clothing during the manufacturing process.

The kinds of UV-blocking dyes and laundry additives can easily be found at retailers such as Target and Amazon. Loosely woven fabrics provide less protection than tightly woven fabrics.

To see how tight the weave on a piece of clothing is, hold it up to a light. Dry fabric provides more protection than wet fabric. Wetting a fabric reduces its effectiveness by as much as 50 percent. Recognizing the need for a variety of sun protective clothing options, retailers are carrying greater numbers of clothing styles with high UPFs. Some companies use a trademarked name to denote their sun protective clothing. A regular white cotton T-shirt has a UPF between 5 and 8.

It allows almost one-fifth of UV radiation to pass through to your skin. Better T-shirt options include:. To boost air circulation and help you stay cool, some tightly constructed UPF garments use vents or holes. Others may be constructed with moisture-wicking fabric that helps pull sweat away from the body. Pants with a high UPF are a great way to protect your skin while you work, play, or relax. If you wear these shorts, you still should apply sunscreen to the uncovered portion of your legs.

Options include:. High-UPF swimsuit retailers include:. Hats with a wide brim at least 3 inches or a piece of fabric that drapes over the neck reduce the amount of exposure that delicate facial and neck skin must endure.

Wearing one while outside will help reduce your UV exposure. The additive lasts up to 20 washes.