1. It has been found that frequent and/or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from sunlight is a cause of increased rates of skin cancer.
2. Limiting your skin’s exposure to sunlight, especially between 1000 hrs to 1400 hrs when the sun is most intense (10 am to 2 pm), is the best way to reduce your risk for skin cancer.
3. Sun tan lotions contain many potentially dangerous chemicals (see Quick Reality Check – Sunscreen Choices – Simple Health Aid or Toxic Soup)
4. People who work outdoors cannot stay out of the sun, therefore well-designed clothing made from a UV-blocking textiles is their best option.
5. Many factors impact the UV blocking properties of textiles including fiber type, dyes, finishes, and fabric porosity.
6. Radiation absorbed by a dye, pigment, delustrant, or UV absorber does not pass through to the skin thereby protecting the wearer.
7. In general, dyed fabrics provide better sun protection than bleached fabrics. Bleached fabrics also cause significant environmental harm in their manufacture.
8. It was found that unbleached cotton provides double the UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of bleached cotton.
9. It was found that natural pigments produce shades ranging from tan to green and brown provide excellent sun protect and do not require further processing to be useful.
10. Various studies have found that after 25 washings, naturally pigmented cotton fibers continued to provide superior protection from the sun that bleached cotton clothing.
11. Look for stylish, natural cotton products to keep you cool and comfortable in the sun and to help you to reduce the risks of sun exposure.
12. If you want to know more subscribe to a Healthy Choice Products newsletter and read some of our other blogs and upcoming blogs:
- Quick Reality Check – The scary stuff in shampoo
- Over 14,000 health products contain at least 1 carcinogen
- Body Wash dries skin and expensive moisturizer is the antidote!
