As a person who likes spend time outside, I often think about do my clothes provide enough protection or not. One most wearable clothes of people are jeans. But do jeans protect us from sun’s harmful UV rays?
The truth is that jeans may not be enough for complete safety while they provide a certain level of protection from the sun. American Academy of Dermatology says that denim has an UPF (UV Protection factor) of about 1. It means only about 1/100 of the Sun’s ultraviolet rays can penetrate through the fabric and reach your skin. It’s not as effective as other types of sunscreen clothing that have UPF 30 or higher, while it’s better than not wearing at all.
Thus, although jeans can provide a certain level of protection, it is important to remember that they are not suitable for other sun protection clothing. If you plan to spend a long time in the sun, it is best to wear light shirts with long sleeves and trousers made if dense fabrics of dark or bright colors. Don’t forget also to wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-proof sunglasses to protect your face and eyes.
Understanding Jeans Material
Jeans are a type of trousers made of denim, which is a durable cotton twill. This fabric is popular for its durability and versatility. Denim is used to made jeans because it is comfortable and can be worn both up and down. However, many people may wonder if jeans provide enough protection from sun. The answer is ambiguous. Although denim is a thick and durable fabric. It does not provide complete protection from harmful UV rays of the sun.
The thickness, texture and weave of denim can also affect protection from sun. Thicker denim fabric provides more protection than thinner denim. And also tighter weave will provide more protection than a looser weave. But even the tightest and thickest denim will not provide full protection from the sun.
We need to note that not all jeans made from denim fabric. Some of them made of synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon, which can provide better protection from the sun. In addition, some jeans are made of linen and hemp fabrics, which known with UV blocking properties. So, although jeans can provide some protection from the sun, they should not be relied upon as the only source of protection. When spending time outdoors, it’s important to use sunscreen, a hat and other protective clothing.
Jeans and Sun Protection
Jeans are popular item of clothing and people wear it on a daily basis. They are comfortable, versatile and durable. They made of denim, which is tightly woven fabric. It means they provide some protection from sun, but not to the same extent as other types of clothing specifically designed to protect from the sun. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, denim has UPF of about 1,700, it means it is equivalent to UPF rating of 15-30.
UPF is an indicator of how much UV radiation the fabric passes to your skin. The more protection clothing provides if the UPF rating is higher. On other hand, sunscreen clothing is specifically designed to protect against harmful UV rays and usually has a rating of UPF 50 or higher. We should note that UPF and SPF (Sun Protective Factor) are not the same thing. SPF measures the amount of time it takes for skin exposed to the sun to turn red, while UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that penetrates through the fabric and reaches the skin.
It is important to combine jeans with other sun protection products such as sunscreen, sunglasses or hats, while jeans provide some sun protection. In addition, we should keep in mind that wet or stretched denim will provide less UV protection. When jeans can provide some sun protection, they should not be relied upon as the only form of sun protection. We should wear sunscreen clothing and accessories, and always apply sunscreen when spending time outside.
Role of Color in Sun Protection
I have done some research and find out that color plays crucial role in determining protection level of jeans. Dark or bright colors, including red, black, and navy blue, absorb more UV rays than lighter colors like whites and pastels. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dark, bright colors dense fabrics are ideal for son protection. Lighter fabrics reflect more UV radiation and provide less protection from the sun.
The shade of the fabric also affects to level of protection it provides. For example, red shirt provides better protection than yellow shirt. One more thing which plays role in sun protection is the dye used in fabric. Some of them provide better protection than others.
We need to note that while darker colors provide better protection from sun, they can also be hotter to wear in sun. Therefore, it’s extremely important to balance protection level and comfort of wearing clothes.
Effect of Washing and Treatments on Sun Protection
As I mention early, significant role plays weave, material, texture of clothing in blocking UV rays. But also treatments and washing can affect the sun protection of clothes.
While washing jeans dye can cause fade and fabric become thinner. It can reduce their ability to block UV rays. Washing may also remove some sun-protective chemicals. Therefore, it’s better to follow care instructions on label and avoid of frequently washing of jeans.
Some treatments can enhance sun protection, and one of them is tinosorb. It is a chemical compound, and can be used to increase ability to block UV rays. “Tinosorb-treated fabrics provide higher UV protection than untreated ones” says in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Also water can affect the sun protection provided by clothing. Wet jeans can stretch and become thinner, and reduce their ability to block UV rays. Therefore, you must wear dry clothes while you spending time under sun.
Sun Protection Tips
If you are a person who loves to spent time outside, it’s important to protect your skin from harmful effects of sun. Some people might assume that jeans are enough for protection from sun, but not all clothing is created equal when it comes to sun protection.
One of the best ways to protect your skin is wearing clothes with coverage. They might be long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats. Also need to select the clothing in right size, fit, and coverage. Too small clothing can be uncomfortable and restrict movement, also loose or tight ones can leave areas of skin exposed.
Additionally, you should use sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful sun rays. Sunscreen should be applied often and liberally, especially if you spend long time outside. Search high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreens and with wide range of protection to make sure you get the best possible protection.
While protecting your skin from sun another main factor is shade. If possible, try to look for shaded areas to avoid direct exposure to the sun. This may include using an umbrella, sitting under tree, or wearing wide-brimmed hat to provide additional shelter.
In general, to protect your skin from sun requires combination of strategies, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible. If you follow this sun protection tips, you will keep your skin safe healthy while enjoying being outside in sunny weather. Enjoy your day, and keep yourself safe! Have a good time!