What Is Skin Cancer and Why is UV Protection So Important?

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most of this exposure comes from the sun, People who get a lot of exposure to UV rays are at greater risk for skin cancer.

The main types of UV rays that can affect your skin include UVA rays and UVB rays. UVB rays have more energy and are a more potent cause of at least some skin cancers, but both UVA and UVB rays can damage skin and cause skin cancer. There are no safe UV rays.

Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in the epidermis, the outermost skin layer, caused by unrepaired DNA damage that triggers mutations. The main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

The main causes of skin cancer are the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays

The Melanoma International Foundation states that:

• 90% or more of melanoma is caused by ultraviolet radiation either from the sun or tanning salons.
• Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 25-29 and second only to breast cancer in women ages 30-34.
• Over 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to the sun occurs by age of 18.
• Skin cancer is one of the most common and fastest growing forms of cancer in the world. 

Protect your skin with clothing:

When you are out in the sun, wear clothing to cover your skin. Clothes provide different levels of UV protection. Hooded Jackets, overcoats, hats, Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. Dark colours generally provide more protection than light colours. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. Dry fabric is generally more protective than wet fabric. 

Why wear UPF 50+ Clothing?

• UPF 50+ Clothing undergoes the most stringent UV Testing.
• All UPF 50+ Clothing fabrics are tested in accordance with the American Association of Textile Chemist and Colourist (AATCC).
• Fabrics undergo 40 home launderings and 100 hours of simulated light. UPF 50 PLUS CLOTHING provides a minimum UPF 50 = blocking 98% of the sun's rays.
• UPF 50 PLUS CLOTHING customers have the peace of mind that all UPF 50 PLUS clothing provides. UV protection and blocks 98% of sun's rays (UVA and UVB).
• UPF 50+ Clothing - sun protective clothing that is fashionable and functional.