I
magine walking in the intense summer sun dressed in
black pants and a black long-sleeved shirt. Can you almost
feel the sweat? But what if this outf t, instead of making
you hotter, actually cooled you down, while also giving you
peak protection from the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays?
Sound like science fi ction?
It's not. In the past few years, activewear and other apparel
makers have been harnessing cutting-edge technology to
produce multitasking garments that not only of er con-
summate broad spectrum sun protection, but also ref ect
infrared rays, wick sweat, cool the body, and ventilate –
providing plenty of incentive to keep covered in the sun.
Convenient and Consistent Protection
Clothing is the single most ef ective form of sun protec-
tion for the body.
1
It is a convenient and consistent shield:
you don't have to worry about applying it properly, and
no reapplication is required. It is also equally protective
against the sun's ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B
(UVB) rays. While sunscreen is essential for areas not cov-
ered with clothing (such as the face), the right garments
can protect vast expanses of your body. Not all clothing
of ers the same level of sun protection, though. A fabric's
weave, color, weight, stretch, and f ber type all help deter-
mine how well it keeps out UV light.
2
Polyester, nylon,
wool, silk, and denim are especially good at stopping UV
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S K I N C A N C E R F O U N D A T I O N J O U R N A L
High-Tech
Threads
The new sun-safe clothing will keep you cool, calm, and protected
Coolibar fashion for the entire family.
On the child: Swim Skort, Surf Shirt
(short- sleeved). On the man: long-
sleeved Aqua T-Shirt, Beach Broadshort.
On the woman: Coastline Dress and Toyo
Fedora Sun Hat
Lifestyle