Should you choose a light or dark colored sun protection shirt?
Black and dark blue clothing has the ability to convert ultraviolet light into heat, offering better sun protection than lighter colors.
Dr. Le Thai Van Thanh, from the Dermatology Clinic at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, said that dark-colored clothing absorbs more heat but offers better protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays than light-colored clothing. Therefore, if choosing dark-colored sun protection clothing, opt for satin or cotton fabrics for a more comfortable feel.
"People think the heat is due to sun exposure, but in reality, the fabric is absorbing the heat. There's no need to buy clothing advertised as UV-protective; instead, you can choose fabrics with high coverage, tightly woven, thick fibers, and dark colors," Dr. Thanh said.
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Shirts made from high-coverage fabrics with tightly woven, thick fibers offer better UV protection. (Image)Thanh Nguyen |
Besides color, material is also an important factor in choosing a good sun protection shirt. Shirts made from materials such as denim, cotton, ceramic, microfiber, and high-performance nano-coatings prevent UV rays from harming the skin.
Some professional sun-protective clothing uses microfibers blended with various sun-blocking compounds. The fabric is also infused with skin-soothing agents to prevent irritation upon contact.
Dr. Thanh stated that mechanical sun protection clothing must undergo clinical effectiveness testing, considering three factors:
Coverage: The level of coverage depends on the spacing between the fabric fibers. This can be checked by holding the fabric up to the sunlight. If a lot of sunlight passes through, it means the fabric fibers are spaced too far apart, reducing the level of sun protection.
Fabric density: A fabric consists of many microfibers tightly packed together. If the microfibers are loose, more light and UV rays will pass through, affecting the sun protection effectiveness.
Thickness: If the fabric is dense and provides good coverage but is too thin, the UV wavelengths passing through the fabric will not be blocked and will directly harm the skin. The more tightly woven the fabric fibers are, the fewer gaps there are, and the thicker the fabric, the better its sun protection capabilities.
Doctor Thanh advises that factors such as cosmetics and sweat can alter the properties of fabric fibers, rendering them ineffective at protecting against the sun. Instead of relying solely on clothing, it's necessary to combine sun protection with avoiding peak hours, applying sunscreen, and using oral sun protection supplements if mechanical sun protection methods are not feasible in certain environments.
