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For all those who enjoy spending time outdoors, it is vitally important to take sun protection seriously. Don't forget that the skin is the body's biggest organ and it requires constant protection when exposed to the sun! Even on overcast days and winter months, it can still be dangerous to spend time outside without sunscreen and sun protective clothing. Wearing sun protective clothing is one of the most effective ways to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Sunscreen, which must be re-applied as frequently as every 45 minutes, can become cumbersome for many throughout long days, especially for children. Protective clothing is a better option for many as it provides protection continuous protection when outdoors. There has also been some recent controversy/concern regarding the absorption of certain SPF ingredients. While the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) maintains that sunscreens are indeed safe, some still have concerns about this. The use of protective clothing allows for less overall sunscreen usage for these concerned individuals. When participating in water sports and activities, we recommend wearing long-sleeve rash guard shirts and knee-length board shorts. Both male and female children and adults will benefit from this recommendation. Younger children tend to do well with one-piece suits. Some of these suits come equipped with zippers to make changing easy. We also recommend covering up with protective clothing when you are participating in outdoor sporting events, watching athletic games, or sightseeing. Long sleeves, high necks and long pants provide great coverage. Most popular sports companies offer clothes that are “super-wickable” which means that they help keep the body cool while keeping you safely covered. There are two primary factors to remember when selecting protective clothing. The first is the actual coverage of the materials and the second is the SPF factor of the materials. Many t-shirts have only minimal SPF protection. Thus, we often recommend washing t-shirts in RIT Sunguard to increase the SPF protection of the material. The most sun protective hats have a wide brim all the way around. Other hats, such as baseball caps, can also provide some sun protection – but sun does still come through on the sides that are not covered. While wearing a hat during prolonged sun exposure is important, it should not be mistaken as a substitute for liberal SPF usage. Please remember that sun exposure occurs at all times, even while taking a short walk on a cloudy day or driving in the car. This is why it is imperative to protect your skin at all times. We have compiled a list of websites that may assist you in purchasing and viewing protective clothing online. Please share this information with your friends and family and safely enjoy your time in the sun! Sun Protective Clothing Websites: www.Miniboden.com - Kids (great selection of capris, tops & terry cover-ups for girls) www.Zappos.com - Men/Women/Boys/Girls (search “rashguard” - huge selection from many manufacturers) www.Quicksilver.com - Men/Women/Boys /Girls www.Volcom.com -Men/Women/Boys/Girls www.Patagonia.com - Men/Women/Boys/Girls www.Oneill.com - Men/Women/Boys/Girls www.Stingray.com - Men/Women/Boys/Girls/Infants www.Coolibar.com - Men/Women/Boys/Girls www.LLBean.com - Infants/Toddlers/Kids www.Sungrubbies.com - Women/Infants www.Solartex.com - Men/Women/Kids/Infants www.Sunprecautions.com -Women/Kids/Infants www.Tripleprotection.com - Men/Women www.Ecostinger.com -Men/Women/Kids www.Chasing-Fireflies.com - Boys/Girls www.UVSkinz.com - Men/Women/Kids www.Swimoutlet.com - Men/Women/Kids
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