However, the idea that light-colored clothing is best in summer and saves from the sun is wrong. This was proved by scientists from the University of Catalonia.
Color matters
In particular, they believe that lovers of such clothes in the summer may be at risk of development in the future. Meanwhile, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of skin cancer cases is on the rise. Every year, specialists around the world register more than 132 thousand new cases and about 2-3 million cases of other types of skin cancer.
The fact is that ultraviolet penetrates very well through it. Especially through the fabric of white and yellow. What color clothes to choose? Experts say that better skin protect red and dark blue shades.
Scientists specially dyed pieces of cotton fabric in different colors, and then tested its ability to absorb ultraviolet light.
It's about the fabric
The denser the fabric, the more effectively it protects, but at the same time it is hotter in it.
White thin pareos are the most unreliable protection.
Humidity also matters - wet cotton almost does not protect against harmful rays, but silk and bamboo viscose become denser when wet.
How to know if clothes are safe
If you still want to wear bright clothes, then ask why, then, sports companies produce a bunch of summer clothes in such aggressive colors? It's simple - it can be with UV protection. Such things appeared in stores relatively recently, but have become especially popular among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
The correct name for sun protection clothing is sun protection. But gradually it grew together with a different name - rash guard(fabric that protects against abrasions, etc. in sports). Manufacturers call everything sunscreen and quick-drying in one word - rashguard.
The best known special fabric for protective clothing is synthetic nylon and cotton.
In addition, the labeling of clothing can determine how it protects from the sun. There is UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor - ultraviolet protection factor) indicates how many "units" of ultraviolet will pass through the fabric. For example, UPF 40 - one in 40 will reach the skin, and UPF 50 - one in 50. Most are labeled 30-50 UPF.
Bleached cotton has UPF 4. But unbleached, natural-dyed - for example, brown, beige and green, already has higher rates - from 46 to 65 UPF.
In summer, linen clothing is popular - if the dyes are synthetic, then the indicators are not very good, and natural linen white color- UPF 10, dyed dark - more than 50. But silk was unlucky - UPF=0. So if you are going on vacation, forget about silk robes. And on the beach, silk scarves will not save you from sunburn and other things, no matter how pleasant they are to the body.
But not everything is so sad, technology does not stand still. British scientists from Belfast have developed a bracelet that is designed to help people enjoy the sun in peace and not be afraid of its rays. Many people prefer to avoid sunbathing because of the fear of skin cancer - and are left without an important D.
The new bracelet is made of plastic and inexpensive. It contains ink, and they disappear at the moment when a person has received his dose of bright rays. So the owner of the bracelet can be sure that he does not tan more than the norm. This will help balance vitamin D in the body. One bracelet is enough for a vacation for two weeks, they will be on sale in a year. The device will be released in three versions for different types skin.
Before going on vacation, we habitually purchase sunscreen to minimize the harmful effects of solar radiation. But skincare experts are increasingly saying that one cream is not enough in a hot country. Firstly, few people use it outside the beach, and secondly, not everyone regularly applies cream after each bath.
The sun's rays burn every unprotected piece of the body, adding risks premature aging or developing skin cancer. Therefore, doctors are increasingly saying that one should literally hide from the sun: in the shade of trees or with the help of clothes.
Alas, most of the traditional summer things do not protect us from the sun. American scientists have created a standard by which the protection factor of clothing, like sunscreen, is determined. So, the white thin cotton shirt beloved by many has the lowest degree of protection - only 6. This means that about 90% of ultraviolet radiation reaches the skin even through the fabric. And best of all absorbs ultraviolet and prevents its penetration to the skin dense thick fabric of black color. It is clear that not the best choice for a vacation. What to do?
T-shirts vs. shirts
Australian scientists, concerned about the high percentage of skin cancers in their country, studied the characteristics of tissues and their ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation and came to interesting conclusions.
It turned out that the structure of the fiber is of paramount importance. The more space between the threads, the more access for sunlight. Denim clothing and things made of thick silk do not let ultraviolet through. Cotton, linen or viscose will protect from the sun only if they are dyed. And the darker the paint, the less UV it will miss.
In the process of numerous washings, things gradually deteriorate and the structure of the fibers becomes loose and permeable to ultraviolet radiation. But this applies only to old things. If you wash cotton fabric a couple of times, it will “sit down” slightly, that is, the space between the threads will decrease.
Wet things, regardless of the quality of the material, transmit ultraviolet light better than dry ones. So even a closed swimsuit, if it is not changed after swimming, will not protect against the harmful effects of solar radiation.
Summer choice
Skin care experts recommend that in the summer, first of all, make sure that the back of the neck and shoulders, ears, décolleté and lower back are covered from the sun's rays. It is these places that are most often bare.
To take care of them, it is enough to choose T-shirts with a collar, without a deep neckline. And buy skirts and trousers not with a low waist, but ordinary ones.
Don't forget the headwear. At the same time, wide-brimmed hats are preferable to baseball caps and even more bandanas, which do not even cover the face from the sun.
Sunglasses are not only a tribute to fashion. It's also about eye care. With age, the eyes become less moistened, and in the open sun they become completely dry. Hence the discomfort, pain, redness.
For normal hydration - both eyes and skin - it is necessary to drink at least 1.5 liters of ordinary drinking water per day.
On a note
Who shouldn't sunbathe?
- People suffering from hypertension, varicose veins, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid gland;
- women diagnosed with fibroids or endometriosis;
- people who often suffer from herpes (the so-called fever);
- people taking antibiotics, diuretics, antihistamines and antiarrhythmic drugs.
How does sun protection work?
The term "sun protection clothing" first appeared in 1996, when Australian companies, concerned about the high incidence of skin cancer on the continent, began developing specialized clothing with an additional level of UPF filters. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it should protect against ultraviolet rays of groups A and B (unlike conventional cosmetic sunscreens, which resist only UVB radiation), minimizing their negative effect on the skin. The UPF rating of such clothing typically ranges from 15 to 50 - often achieved by treating the fabric with a special chemical compound (such as titanium dioxide) or a dye with an ultraviolet block that helps to absorb or reflect solar radiation. In addition, there are various laundry additives - powders, gels - that promise to turn any wardrobe item into sun-protective clothing, giving it an extra UPF level.
Who needs it?
By and large, everyone. Even if you are not inclined to allergic reaction in the sun and do not plan to spend a holiday near the equator, additional protection of the skin from harmful radiation will not hurt. But for most of us, ordinary clothes are still enough, but specialized clothes with a UPF factor are more likely for people with hypersensitivity skin and for those who have to stay in extreme conditions for a long time under scorching sun. In addition, many experts urge children to choose clothes with additional UPF protection for obvious reasons.
Jason Briscoe/Unsplash
What if regular clothes don't work?
As already mentioned, most people do not really think about clothes with special UPF filters, limiting themselves to the usual sunscreens and basic principles like “cover your shoulders on the beach”. For example, a regular cotton T-shirt has an average UPF of 5-8, meaning it lets through about one-fifth of the UV rays. We repeat: if you do not have a critical need for serious measures, it is not necessary to update your wardrobe with things marked UPF block.
Any clothing serves as additional protection for us from solar radiation, so just remember a few basic rules. So, the denser the fibers of the fabric, the higher the level of protection: for example, artificial lycra, polyester, nylon or acrylic cope with this task better than thin natural cotton or weightless linen, but they are also less comfortable for hot weather. A simple test: the more the fabric shows through, the weaker its UPF function. Therefore, if you are not ready to wear synthetics in the heat (although some of its modern representatives are quite suitable for such conditions), choose unbleached cotton and linen with the most dense arrangement of threads.
By the way, one more important point- almost all fabrics lose their UPF properties by an average of 50% when wet (with the exception of silk and viscose, the situation is reversed here). The color of the item also plays a role - dark-colored clothing absorbs UV radiation more efficiently, the same applies to bright, saturated colors in comparison, for example, with pastels. And finally, the most obvious: the larger the area covered by clothing, the higher the degree of protection, so an ideal option for walking under the scorching sun would be, say, a suit of a long-sleeved tunic and loose-fitting trousers. And a wide-brimmed hat, of course.
Where to buy "clothing from the sun"?
(updated April 2018)While our ships roam the universe (c), some unconscious citizens are still lying in the sun. But the text below, in general, is not for them, but for those who agree with the latest research on the dangers of overheating and ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun.
When we lived in the States, each visit to the pediatrician ended with parting words - "and just don't take your children out in the sun! Only shade! Closed clothes, in extreme cases, cream."
But no matter what you do, it’s impossible not to be in the sun - the shadow is not everywhere, and you can’t cancel the sea either. According to statistics, most of the sun exposure people receive before the age of 18 years.
The problem with the sun is that if you can still hide from the thermal component of the rays in the shade, then ultraviolet has a greater penetrating power. Even under the clouds on a hot day, it is quite possible to burn out. So the first way to protect yourself is not to leave the house at all.
The second standard method is creams. There are a lot of subtleties here (time and methods of application, types of cream), as well as more frequent data on the interaction of cream and sun particles with skin and Negative consequences similar. In addition, the cream can be difficult to spread evenly on everything and remember to reapply after intensive wiping, changing clothes and the like.
There remains a third "simple" option - clothing.
The biggest misconception is that any clothing protects from the sun the best good enough. Alas, fabrics are different fabrics. The material, the type of weave and even the color of the clothes play a role - dark things are the best at retaining ultraviolet (but at the same time they heat up more). The denser the fabric, the more effectively it protects, but, again, it is hotter in it. White thin pareos are the most unreliable protection. In addition, humidity is also important - wet cotton protects against ultraviolet radiation worse than dry cotton. But there are exceptions: silk and bamboo viscose become denser when wet. Of the most affordable fabrics, blue has the best sewn denim, but unbleached cotton is more effective (almost all factory items are made from bleached). Dense linen, hemp and cotton protect better than thin silk. And polyester (100%), which has natural UV absorbing properties.
It turns out that there is no natural effective fabric that protects from ultraviolet radiation and at the same time does not create discomfort when worn - it is hot and sweaty in dense dark things. As a result, following demand, specialized fabrics with enhanced protection appeared - they better absorb and reflect ultraviolet "harmful" rays. Usually, at the same time, the fabric dries easily and / or generally removes moisture from the body, being a membrane. In addition to special fabrics made from synthetic materials, there is simply a special (factory) processing of natural fabrics, mainly cotton.
Name
The correct name for clothing with sun protection is, of course, sun protection. But it so happened that rash guard, which originally existed to protect against abrasions, scratches and other things when doing active sports, actually occupied a niche. And now manufacturers call everything sunscreen and quick-drying in one word - rashguard.
The best known special fabrics for protective clothing are synthetic (nylon) Solarweave, Coolmax UPF and cotton Solarknit.
Protection quality
In 1998, a standard and testing of sun protection clothing appeared in the USA. UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) indicates how many "units" of UV light will pass through the fabric. For example, UPF 40 - one unit in 40 will reach the skin, and UPF 50 - one in 50, that is, 98% of the ultraviolet will be reflected or absorbed by clothing. Unlike SPF (sun protection factor) labeling, which is measured visually by the difference between protected and unprotected skin, UPF is tested with special equipment. Unfortunately, SPF and visual assessment of skin lesions does not provide a way to understand how effective UVA (UVA) protection is, as it does not leave such immediate visible effects on the skin, unlike UVB.
Most sun protection clothing is labeled 30-50 UPF. The standard implies that the manufacturer himself tests his fabrics, simulating two years of use (including fading in the sun, washing, wear, etc.) and indicates the smallest of the results obtained on the clothes. By comparison, regular bleached cotton has a UPF of 4.
Surprising things about cotton and others
But with cotton, as always, not everything is so simple. Studies conducted in 2005 showed that if you take unbleached cotton dyed (treated) with natural pigments (green, brown, beige), then its UV protection properties are at a very high level - UPF 46-64! Green cotton is best, and I suspect that if indigo cotton had been included in the study, the result would have been even more interesting. Moreover, from wash to wash, the level of protection only increases due to the deposition on textiles of optical brightener, which is present in almost all washing powders-liquids. However, even if ordinary cotton is washed, then optical brightener will help to increase the protective properties at times (there were also studies and tests on this topic). Just do not confuse ordinary bleach such as bleach (it worsens UV protection) and optical brightener.
Natural linen also shows good results. But only with natural dyes. White linen - UPF 10, dyed dark - more than 50. But silk was unlucky - UPF = 0. And dyes-bleachers will not help in principle.
Well, the obvious: no matter how natural and high level of protection the material would have, the mesh fabric will never protect against ultraviolet radiation.
Now, about clothes.
With clothes, everything, in general, is easier than with fabrics. Since we are talking about protecting the skin from sunlight, the only option left is to cover everything as much as possible, not forgetting small parts like back neck and ears.
Depending on their skin type and the speed of reaction to the sun, everyone chooses different closeness for themselves. But long sleeves, long legs, closed neckline and ears - necessary thing. Burqas-abayas would also be comfortable, but I'm afraid the people at the beach resort will just get scared. Almost all sports brands keep a line of civilian clothing with UV protection. The range of pants, shirts, dresses, shorts, t-shirts. In general, anything. Usually, the lightness of fabrics and moisture-wicking properties are added as a bonus. I personally really like columbia and exoficio.
The easiest way is with clothes for constant wear. But, if we are talking about staying on the beach, swimming or outdoor activities, then you can’t do without synthetics. In a cotton T-shirt long sleeve it is very unpleasant to swim, no matter how natural it may be. Clothing should not dry quickly, but instantly, and fit the body without interfering with free movement. This is especially true for children and those who are actively moving (for example, when walking in the mountains).
What you should pay attention to: the high collar of T-shirts - to cover the neck (mainly the back part suffers).
Pants must have high waist or a long T-shirt so that the lower back does not sparkle in a sitting position. A hat-cap should not only cover the top of the head, but also create a shadow on the face as much as possible. "Veil" around the neck is a convenient thing.
outdoor research 
A hood instead of a cap is quite acceptable, if only it is worn, and not kept for beauty.
Columbia - Hooded T-shirt UPF50 
One-piece overalls for children are very comfortable - the belt does not put pressure on the stomach and the back is guaranteed to be closed. But overalls have a much shorter period of use - a T-shirt and pants can be worn even when they are big or small, unlike a jumpsuit.
tuga suit UPF50 
By the way, thin REI thermal underwear is great for use on the beach. It is UPF50, dries quickly and grains of sand do not get into the fabric (and this, by the way, is a rather critical thing). Long beach-swimming pants are almost impossible to buy. So you just need to take the longest one that comes across, or a jumpsuit.
For swimming adults, it is easiest to use long boarder shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt. An unexpected option is Muslim (burkini) or Orthodox bathing dresses.