Sun Protection
Its important to take the proper precautions to limit your sun exposure as part of your daily habits. By limiting your sun exposure now, you reduce the risk of serious consequences long term sun exposure can cause, like skin cancer.
Limiting Sun Exposure
Your time outside in the sun should be limited between 11am and 3pm, as this is the time of when the sun’s radiation is at its highest. Children especially should avoid exposure from 12pm and 2pm.
Planning activities in the shade will also help to reduce exposure. Try to find shaded areas or use an umbrella to block the sun’s harmful rays.
UV index
The UV index is a measurement of the intensity of the sun’s burning UV rays by Environment Canada. The scale runs from 1-11 and the higher the number, the higher the intensity of the sun’s rays. A daily UV index is an estimate of what the sun’s maximum UV strength will be on that given day. The peak of intensity typically occurs mid day. Therefore it is advised to limit exposure during 11am and 3pm.
When we don't protect ourselves, we increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Learn more about skin cancer and what to watch for.
UPF Clothing
Many clothing companies now offer UPF clothing, or Ultraviolet Protecting Factor clothing. This means the clothing has been produced with a fabric for its level of UV protection. Weave structure and denier (related to threat count per inch) help to produce sun protective properties. Some fabrics are pre-treating with UV blocking ingredients during the manufacturing process. UPF rating is a relatively new scale for sun protective textiles and clothing, which is the ratio of sunburn-causing UV measured without and with the protection of fabric. For example, a fabric rated UPF 30 means that if 30 units of UV come in contact with the fabric, only 1 will pass through the skin. Therefore, a UPF 30 rating blocks 96.7% UV radiation. Many name brand clothing companies are now offering UPF clothing. Lululemon, Tilley, Amazon, Patagonia, and North Face are just a few of these brands. You can find anything from shirts to shorts to swimsuits with UPF ratings. Click on any of the above brands to take you to their UPF clothing site.
