Sunlight's ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses several risks to human health, with long-term and cumulative exposure causing the most significant damage. UV radiation is a proven carcinogen, with overexposure significantly increasing the risk of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the deadliest form, melanoma. This is due to UV rays' ability to damage the DNA in skin cells, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.
UV radiation accelerates the ageing process of the skin. It breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers that maintain the skin's elasticity and strength, leading to premature wrinkles, age spots, leathery skin, and other signs of ageing, a process known as photoaging.
UV radiation can harm the eyes, potentially leading to serious eye conditions. Short-term overexposure can cause photokeratitis, akin to sunburn of the eye. Long-term exposure can contribute to the development of cataracts (clouding of the eye lens that can impair vision) and macular degeneration (a leading cause of vision loss).
Sunburn, a clear sign of acute overexposure to UV radiation, results from UV rays damaging the DNA in skin cells, leading to inflammation and increased blood flow to the affected area. Repeated sunburns, especially in childhood, can increase the risk of skin cancer in later life.
Given these risks, it's crucial to protect against UV radiation with a multi-faceted approach, including wearing UPF-rated clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours. Protection is necessary even on cloudy days as up to 80% of UV radiation can penetrate clouds.
What is UPF Protection & How it Works?
UPF+ Protection, standing for "Ultraviolet Protection Factor," is a measure of how well a fabric shields your skin from harmful UV rays. It indicates the fraction of the sun's ultraviolet rays that can reach the skin. For example, a UPF rating of 50 means that only 1/50th (or 2%) of the UV radiation can penetrate the fabric, offering substantial protection.
However, UPF doesn't ensure complete blockage of UV radiation, and its effectiveness can be influenced by factors like fabric wetness, stretch, and wear. It's always recommended to complement UPF-rated clothing with other sun protection measures such as sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is a rating system used for apparel and other textiles to indicate how effectively the fabric shields the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. UPF+ protection is used to denote high-quality sun-protective fabrics that offer superior UV shielding properties.
The UPF rating specifically measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach the skin. For instance, a fabric with a UPF rating of 50 will allow only 1/50th (or 2%) of the sun's UV rays to pass through it.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of what different UPF ratings mean:
UPF 15 to 24: Good protection. These fabrics block 93.3 to 95.9% of UV radiation.
UPF 25 to 39: Very good protection. These fabrics block 96.0 to 97.4% of UV radiation.
UPF 40 to 50+: Excellent protection. These fabrics block 97.5 to 98+% of UV radiation.
However, it's important to note that even clothing with high UPF+ ratings cannot block 100% of UV radiation. Clothing can lose some of its protective capability when it becomes wet or stretched, or as it wears out.