Sun Protection Info & News

Beyond SPF: UPF Clothing

Posted by Bella Belle · December 23, 2023

Level Up Your Sun Protection. "Wear sunscreen"- it's the single most-used phrase that we hear when headed outdoors. Protection from the sun is important with UV radiation being the cause of sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer.

While the acronym we closely identify with sunscreen is "SPF" (Sun Protection Factor), there's another letter combo you should familiarize yourself with, if you're serious about taking your sun protection one step further: UPF.

UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, indicates how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin. That's right, more and more clothing companies are now manufacturing apparel that can block out significant amounts of radiation, thus increasing your protection for areas that you cannot slather the sunscreen on.

Read More:
https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/weather/2020/07/07/beyond-spf--upf-clothing-can-level-up-your-sun-protection

BY METEOROLOGIST ANDREW KOZAK

What is SPF? What is UPF?

Posted by Bella Belle · May 08, 2021

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This is the standard measurement of the sun's rays through penetration of creams, lotions and sprays, before the skin reddens, or begins to get red. This is SPF. Sunscreen SPF measurement only started twenty years ago, ignoring UVA and focused solely on UVB rays.

What is UPF?

UPF stands for UltraViolet Protection Factor. Sun protection clothing, sun hats and sun gloves are measured by a standard UPF rating by testing the sun's penetration through the fabrics fibers, this provides a broad-spectrum protection rating of UPF 30, UPF 40 or UPF 50+. Sun Protective Clothing protects against both UVA and UVB wavelength rays.

What is Broad-Spectrum Protection?

Broad-spectrum means the measurement of two of the sun's UltraViolet wavelengths, UVA and UVB rays and their ability to penetrate through sunscreens and fabric to begin to redden skin.

What is UVA?

UVA is the longest wavelength. We can't see UVA, but it reaches into the deepest levels of the skin, causing damage. UVA causes wrinkles, age and dark spots and has been proven to cause damage that may lead to skin cancer formation in the deep levels of the skin.

What is UVB?

UVB is the 2nd longest wavelength to reach us, but 95% of UVB wavelengths are destroyed as they pass through the ozone. Still, the 5% that get through are very powerful. UVB wavelengths burn the skin, what we know as sunburn.