How Sun Protective Swimwear Keep UV Rays Out

Sun protective clothes and swimwear are the answer for keeping UV radiation from the sun off our skin.  As we learn more and more about just how large the danger of skin cancer looms over us, purchases of UV protection clothing and swimwear continue to rise.  But just how well do these items keep UV rays out?  Why do we need sun protection clothing when we've got swimwear? 

While all fabrics do provide some protection against the sun's harmful UV rays, certain pieces are manufactured to a higher standard so that they do keep the sun out.  These clothing items are labeled with a UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor.  A rating of 50+ is the highest available.  Here's how these clothing items work:

Sun protection clothing and swimwear is woven or knit more tightly, which shrinks the space between each one of the threads, thus keeping more ultraviolet radiation out.

Special clothing dyes are used to boost sun protection in these clothing items.  It's true that lighter colored clothing provides more protection against the sun because it reflects sunlight away rather than absorbing it.  However, the special dyes used to create the vibrant colors found in high quality sun protective clothes are manufactured to actually deflect more UV rays than their non-sun protective counterparts.  For maximum sun protection, look for items that are dyed using pigments.

Avoid sun protective swimwear and clothing items that have been treated with chemicals.  Some manufacturers treat clothing items with harsh chemicals to achieve the desired UV protective effect, but these items are not advisable or even legal in some countries.  For instance, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, also known as ARPANSA, requires that sun protection be achieved in clothing without the use of chemicals.

The type of material used to manufacture the clothes also makes a big difference in the level of sun protection.  Polyester and nylon naturally do very well at turning UV radiation away without a whole lot of help.  Silk and wool are less effective, followed by cotton, flax, and rayon.  It should be noted that bleached cotton typically has a lower UPF rating than unbleached cotton.

For shop owners, understanding how sun protective swimwear and clothing works is the first step in being able to market these products to your customers.  For consumers looking for their new swimsuit, this information can make the difference between a positive and a negative risk of skin cancer later in life.