A New Way to Think About Sun Protection

For many people, protection against UV damage starts and stops with sunscreen. This of course is both good and bad. It’s good if broad spectrum sunscreen is being used to prevent UV damage. It’s bad, however, if your sun protection plan relies exclusively (or even disproportionately) on sunscreens. If sunscreen isn’t enough by itself, what else should you rely on for your sun protection? The answer is simple and just requires a new way of thinking about sun protection. Keep reading to find out why UPF apparel, including men’s and women’s sun hats, should form the foundation of your sun protection.

Get Your Priorities Straight (and Wear a Sun Hat)

This isn’t a radical new approach to sun protection, but rather a realignment of how you prioritize the components of your sun protection. The most effective sun protection includes sunscreen, but uses it in support of more practical, cost-effective measures, such as UPF sun hats and UPF clothing. 

Here are some of the reasons your sun protection should start with UPF-rated UV clothing:

• Sunscreen is expensive so UPF clothing and sun hats save you money in the long run.
• UPF shirts and sun hats are always broad spectrum.
• It’s easier to put on UV hats and sun shirts.
• Sun apparel and hats are instantly UV-protective without the need to wait 30 minutes.
• You don’t have to reapply UPF apparel and hats.
• Unlike most sunscreens, UV clothing and sun hats don’t feel greasy or sticky.
• UPF shirts and hats don’t have any odor.
• UPF hats protect your hair better than sunscreen.
• Sun-protective hats and shirts don’t contain reef-damaging ingredients.

The list goes on, but you get the idea. For all of the reasons mentioned above, Rayward Apparel creates lightweight UPF clothing. This is also why we’re launching our first men’s and women’s sun hats with UV protection. If you don’t already have UPF-rated sun clothing, or if you’re in need of something more comfortable, check out our store today!

Put On Your Imagination Caps (or Sun Hats)

For an illustration of how our UPF apparel could affect your sunscreen use, play out the following scenario. Imagine you’re protected with your sun hat and sun shirt. Now try to consider which areas of your skin could still be exposed. While doing this, keep in mind that UV radiation doesn’t just come from above. In fact, UV rays also reflect off certain surfaces, including water, sand, snow, ice and cement. Ok, how’s your sun protection?

If you’re wearing a long sleeve hooded UPF shirt, you’re probably only exposing your hands, neck and head. If you took our advice and are also wearing one of our women’s or men’s sun hats, then you are also helping protect your scalp, forehead and ears, and to a lesser extent your face and neck. Think about how much less sunscreen (and money) you’ll use to protect the rest of your body! Plus, you’ll save time for more fun with less time wasted rubbing on lotion.

Using this new way of thinking about sun protection, your planning starts with UPF sun clothing, including men’s and women’s sun hats. Now your sunscreen takes the role it always should have played: supporting UV-blocking fabrics which are more effective and less costly in the long run.

Rayward Apparel’s new men’s and women’s sun hats are available now, and make a great foundation for your new sun protection plans!

Bonus: Armed with your new mindset on sun protection, here’s something else to think about! Did you know that you can use the UV Index to find out which days present the highest risk for UV damage? Check out this short video to learn more about the UV Index: