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The Curious Bag
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If you have a high risk for skin cancer or spend extended time in the sun, consider sunscreen clothing, which works a little differently than sunscreen lotions.
Considerations
When deciding whether to purchase sun-protective clothing, the Mayo Clinic suggests considering two factors: the cost of the clothing and the amount of time you plan to spend in the sun.
Benefits
Sun-protective clothing works immediately, unlike sunscreen lotions, which sometimes have to be applied 20 minutes before going outside.
How It Works
According to the Mayo Clinic, sun-protective clothing is different from typical summer fabrics in that the fabric is tightly woven, allowing less of the sun's rays to penetrate the fabric.
Added Protection
In addition to the tightly woven material, "Manufactures also may add chemicals that absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation to the fabric," according to the Mayo Clinic.
Range of Protection
Levels of protection offered by sun-protective clothing range from UPF (UV Protection Factor) 15 to 50+. "A shirt labeled UPF 30 will allow only 1/30th of the sun's ultraviolet rays to reach your skin," according to the Mayo Clinic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a typical T-shirt only has an SPF of 15.
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