Does Sun-Protective Clothing Actually Work?

The sun is shining — and you’ve got a full day planned at the pool, beach or park.

In addition to slathering on sunscreen, you can add an extra layer of security to your skin during outdoor adventures by wearing UV light protection clothing (also called UPF clothing or sun-protective clothing).

These items — from hats and shirts to leggings — block the sun’s harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays. And they can be a helpful way to steer clear of a painful sunburn and reduce sun damage and your skin cancer risk.

What is UPF clothing?

The term “UPF” stands for ultraviolet protection factor, says dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. It gives you an idea of how much UV radiation a certain piece of clothing blocks from your skin.

UV light can penetrate through the micro holes in the weaves of regular clothes or even travel directly through a light-colored shirt. With UPF clothing, the block is much greater, giving you more protection from the sun.

“UPF clothing is made from a special fabric to help form a barrier against the sun’s rays,” explains Dr. Khetarpal.

Most UPF clothing looks and feels like activewear or athleisure. And because of the higher thread count, it often feels a little more luxurious vs. your standard T-shirt.

What does the UPF rating mean?

A UPF rating reflects how effective the fabric is at blocking UV rays. A higher UPF rating is better.

For example, 30 UPF means the item will allow 1/30th or 3.33% of UV rays to pass through.

“For example, most cotton shirts give you an equivalent of about a UPF of 5 when you’re wearing it,” Dr. Khetarpal notes. “Most fabrics that we wear are a loose weave that lets visible light peek through and get to our skin.”

Any garment that allows less than 2% of UV rays will be labeled UPF 50+, the highest rating. 15 UPF is the lowest rating. An item needs to have 50 UPF or higher to obtain the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of recommendation.

Here are some common UPF ratings you may see:

Factors that impact UV protection clothing

Over time, the effectiveness of UPF clothing could change based on factors such as:

• The life span of UPF clothing. Dr. Khetarpal says, like any other fabric, UPF clothing will eventually break down with frequent use, but it’s reasonable to expect the apparel to last two or three years.
• How often you wash UPF clothing. If an item uses a finish to get its UPF rating, make sure you check the label. The finish can start to diminish after each wash. So, typically, the label will list how many washes the UPF rating is good for.

Beyond making sure your clothing has UPF, here are a few other considerations:

• Wear dark colors. If you’re headed outside, try dressing in dark-colored clothes. Those dark colors — black, brown, navy, dark green, burgundy — will prevent more UV rays from touching your skin.
• Look for tightly woven fabrics. Items made with tightly woven fabric allow less UV light to pass through them. Items made of wool, denim and canvas are densely woven and can offer protection from the sun. So, reach for thicker fabrics instead of thinner ones. A good rule of thumb? If you can see through the fabric, it’s not going to offer much protection from UV rays.
• Opt for synthetic fibers. Natural fabrics like cotton and hemp don’t do a good job of protecting you from UV rays. Instead, wear clothes made with polyester and nylon.

Who should use UPF clothing?

Anyone — kids and adults alike — can use UPF clothing. Consider wearing UPF clothing, especially if you’re:

• Sensitive to the sun. For example, you’re more sensitive to the sun if you burn or freckle easily.
• Taking certain medications. Drugs such as acne medication and antihistamines increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
• At a higher elevation or close to the equator. The closer you are to the sun, the worse the UV rays. The closer you are to the equator can also impact the intensity of the sun.

Bottom line? Use both UPF clothing and sunscreen

A shirt, pants and hat can give you great sun protection coverage, but that still leaves areas like your hands, neck and face exposed to UV rays. This is where sunscreen still comes into play and can help prevent sunburn and skin cancer.

“Most sun-protected fabrics are UPF 50 or higher ― so better than your typical SPF sunscreen,” says Dr. Khetarpal. “But it’s recommended for people to choose a mix of both sunscreen and clothing to get the best possible protection.”