Spending time outdoors is usually a high point in daily life, and it’s certainly healthy. Your outdoor activities can be fun, but fresh air and sunshine have many physical benefits. Unfortunately, the sun’s rays have UV radiation that can hurt you at the same time. The good news is that the fashion industry has noticed and started making many kinds of garments that help repel the sun’s energy to varying degrees. The following are three ways the fashion industry has adopted sun-repellent fabrics into their products, and knowing about this can help you choose clothing that helps you protect your health outdoors.
1. Colors
One way to make anti-UV fabrics stronger is by making them darker. Black is a color with a high level of UV protection, but similar absorption is possible with dark purple, navy blue, and dark blue. Some bright colors can also absorb UV rays, such as bright red, although white isn’t one of them. Darker colors are best, as black usually only lets 5% of radiation through it. Purple, dark green, red, and dark blue might let in 5% to 10%. Transmittance rates of 15% through 20% are possible with light greens and reds.
2. Newer Is Better
Owning and using any sun-protective clothing is better than nothing, but newer is often better. Chronic exposure to the sun’s UV radiation makes textiles age and fade away. The UPF value of many garments also decreases after exposure to moisture, whether it’s sweat, rain, a swimming pool, or a body of natural water. People can achieve better protection by wearing longer sleeves and pants over shorter ones. However, the best thing to do is to continually update their wardrobes with fresh garments that aren’t worn down and might better reflect advances in manufacturing.
3. Fabric Structures
The last big way the fashion industry incorporates sun-protective clothing into its production is by choosing the right fabric structures. Thicker fabrics are known to resist more UV radiation than thinner options. The highest resistance often comes from polyester fibers, and this is in large part due to the benzene rings embedded within their very molecular structures. Fabric structures with much lower UV resistance include silk, cotton, and nylon. Tighter fabrics have more blocking ability because radiation can’t penetrate them as much, and woven fabrics are better than knitted materials.
Who Should Wear Sun-Repellent Fashion?
Whether you’re looking for UV-resistant garments for yourself or a fabric supplier to help you make and sell such clothes, it’s helpful to know who can benefit from clothing that protects from UV-related health dangers. Sun-sensitive individuals who burn easily, have freckles or moles, or feature lighter or darker skin pigmentations are all at-risk groups. Children, seniors, and people on prescription medications might have elevated risk levels. Anyone living near water, snow, the equator, or higher elevations might also be subjected to higher levels of UV radiation. In truth, everyone can benefit from protection against the sun’s rays, and achieving this through clothing is always a fashionable choice. Clothing designed with UV protection in mind not only shields your skin but also allows you to express your personal style.