Many people don't realise that sunburn risk on the beach is much higher than inland, due to the light reflection from sand and sea. While we need adequate sunshine to create sufficient amounts of Vitamin D3 for good health, it might be wise to protect our skin from too much sun when on the beach or on boats. Sun protection clothes keep you safe on and in the water.
UV protection sunsuits are among the most comfortable swimwear you can enjoy.
Swim shirts with a tight fit make great swimwear.
You can layer them for warmth or fun fashion.
Sun protection capes with good ventilation are fun for splashing and bathing, not for fast swimming.
UV protection clothes should at least have an UPF 30 rating or above. A garment shouldn't be labelled "sun-protective" or "UV-protective" if its UPF is less than 15.
When swimwear has a UPF 50 rating, the material will only allow 1/50th (2%) of UV (Ultraviolet) radiation get to the skin, helping to protect you from skin cancer and premature skin aging.
Garments with a rating above UPF 50 may be labelled UPF 50+; however, they may not offer substantially more protection than those with a UPF of 50.
Sun-protective clothing may lose its effectiveness if it's too tight or stretched out, and worn and washed repeatedly.
You may see labels on sun-protective garments stating that the garment
meets standards developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM),
an organization that has developed a
standard guide for the testing and labelling of UV protective fabrics.
While manufacturers don't have to comply with the ASTM standard guide,
those that say they do must label their garments with UPF values.
Contrary to popular belief, a short sleeved swim shirt does not magically protect your whole body from sunburn. It only covers your torso and shoulders.
A long sleeve hooded swim shirt is the smart choice because covers all the areas you want to protect from the sun. Add long pants or leggings and you're ready for fun in the water.
Long sleeve swim shirts with lightweight board pants give you the sun protection you need. Because they dry quickly, you can get in and out of the water as you please.
Long T-shirts with jeans are also quite popular for playing on the beach and in the water. These are great fun for sploshing around in the surf on a hot day. On cooler days add a hoodie or anorak.
Of course sun lotion helps, but after the first application, it is difficult to keep it on once you're in the water.
In addition, a good sunscreen is rather expensive.
When you go on a holiday in the sun, long sleeve swim shirts provide fantastic sun protection which doesn't wash off.
Comfy swimming clothes were created as an alternative to sunscreen and other forms of sun protection. Many swimmers find that sunscreen isn't always enough. Some people also have skin allergies or sensitivities to chemicals that sunscreens can contain.
We recommend using a stingersuit or a combination of swim shirts,
leggings and sun hats instead of sunscreen.
Short sleeved swim shirts leave your arms exposed to sunburn when you're out on the beach.
Long sleeve swim shirts are better for daily use.
Best of all, these swim clothes won't wash off and no need to reapply.
The darker the swim shirt, the more protection it offers.
Specialist sun protection clothing will keep you safe, doesn't wash off, and feels great. Have a look around this website for more details.
Be aware that children under six months of age should never have sunscreen applied to their skin; they can be protected by avoiding time outdoors.
The UV Index predicts exposure levels on a scale of 0 to 10+. A 0 indicates a low risk of overexposure; 10+ means a very high risk of overexposure.
UVA rays also increase the risk of cataracts and retinal damage and are the type used in tanning salons. UVB radiation has shorter wavelengths and is primarily responsible for sunburn and skin cancer.