FAQ Sun Protection
Why is BloqUV different from other brands?
BloqUV is different because we do not dip our fabrics into chemicals for the UPF protection. Therefore, the UPF protection does not wash away with launderings. We test our products by batch, by color, both wet and dry. This means we can give you UPF levels on every color in our collection.
Will BloqUV protect me from the sun?
Our tops, tights, dresses and accessories have a minimum UPF of 50, and block a minimum of 98% of the sun’s rays. Because our garments undergo extensive testing we know there is no sun going thru our garments.
Do I need to wear sunscreen if I'm wearing BloqUV?
You will only need to wear sunscreen in your exposed ares. It is important to protect your skin with sunblock, a hat, sunglasses and lip balm.
What is UPF clothing?
The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates how much UV radiation (both UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin. For example, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun’s rays and allows two percent (1/50th) to penetrate, thus reducing your exposure risk significantly.
A UPF of 30 to 49 offers very good protection, while UPF 50+ rates as excellent.
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/
Ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, ratings are to fabrics what sun protection factor (SPF) ratings are to sunscreen: They indicate what fraction of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can penetrate a given fabric. A UPF rating of 25, for example, means the material allows 1/25 (4 percent) of UV radiation in, and a UPF 50 garment lets in 1/50 (2 percent).
Frustrations with sunscreen—the need for frequent application, the inevitable greasy feeling, and the potential risk to aquatic life—along with an increased awareness of the hazards of extended sun exposure, have helped expand the UPF-clothing industry from mostly utilitarian pieces to a wider variety of appealing, everyday styles. You can now find UPF clothing from dozens of companies and in thousands of designs, all using tighter weaves or treated fabrics (or often, both) to better block the sun’s rays. Some brands (such as Coolibar, Mott50, and UV Skinz) specialize in UPF clothing, while other labels (from Lilly Pulitzer to Uniqlo to Athleta) now offer UPF pieces as well. Wirecutter has reviewed some UPF clothing and accessories, including surfing rash guards and sun hats for adults, plus swimsuits, rash guards, and sun hatsfor kids.
Like sunscreen, UPF clothing goes through testing at independent labs—but unlike with sunscreen, that testing is completely voluntary rather than a regulatory requirement. Companies that make and sell UPF fabrics in the US typically adhere to complementary standards set by ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). Clothing tags often state a UPF rating, but not necessarily whether companies have complied with those specific standards. A Seal of Recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation does indicate compliance, though not all brands apply for this distinction.
Some UV radiation passes directly to the skin through micro-spaces between the fibers of most fabrics, some is absorbed by the fibers, and some is scattered off by reflection. Labs use the ASTM and AATCC protocols to measure how much of this radiation gets through specific fabrics. Moisture can also affect a fabric’s UPF: Dry garments are generally more protective than those same pieces once they are wet.
A lightweight, 100 percent cotton white T-shirt has a UPF of around 5.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/what-is-upf-clothing/
How is UPF different from SPF?
UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin. Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is based on the time it takes for UV-exposed skin to redden; if you burn after 20 minutes, if used correctly, an SPF 15 sunscreen may protect your skin 15 times longer.
Another important distinction: UPF measures both UVB and UVA rays, while SPF measures only UVB.
Do my regular clothes protect me from UV rays?
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, clothing is the first line of defense against the sun. However, wearing the right UPF clothes offer more certain sun protection than sunscreen, since people often don’t use sunscreen in the right way (1 ounce applied evenly to all exposed skin every day, and reapplied every two hours if you’re exposed to the sun). But it is important to understand that not all clothing is created equal.
How do different items of clothing affect how well you’re protected? How can you be sure a piece effectively blocks the sun’s rays? With sun protection in mind, here are five things you should consider when shopping for new threads:
- Color: The color of your clothing can affect how well it protects you from UV rays. Dark or bright colors, including red, black and navy blue, absorb more UV rays than lighter colors like whites and pastels. For example, an everyday white cotton T-shirt has a UPF of only about 5. As a rule of thumb, the more intense the hue, the better protection the clothing will provide.
- Construction: Like color, the material, weave and texture of your clothing can affect how well it protects you from UV rays.
- Some clothing is specially made to provide sun protection and comes with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. This rating functions for clothing almost like an SPF rating does for sunscreen — it gives you an idea of how well a product will protect your skin from harmful UV rays. The number indicates what fraction of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate the fabric. For example, a shirt with a UPF of 50 would allow just 1/50th of the sun’s UV radiation to reach the skin. BloqUV provides a UPF of 50, blocking 98% of the suns harmful rays.
- Size: It’s pretty obvious that the more skin you cover, the better protected you are. It can be easy to forget that the same thing applies to hats! Hats along with sunglasses are a great way to supplement daily sunscreen use in keeping your face safe from UV rays, and they can also help protect easy-to-forget spots like the tops of your ears and your scalp.
- Fit: It may seem counterintuitive, but looser threads offer better protection than super-tight clothing! If a piece is too tight, that straining can cause fabric fibers to stretch or tear, allowing more UV to pass through the material. Don’t forget to check the fit of your sunglasses too — a pair that slips down your nose is leaving your eyes at risk for sun damage.
- Remember, no single type of sun protection is complete in and of itself; The Skin Cancer Foundation advises you to use clothing, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and shade together for all-around sun safety.
Does my regular shirt protect me from UV rays ?
Most of us only apply sunscreen to our skin that is directly exposed to the sun. We assume that the clothes we’re wearing protect us from the sun’s harmful UV rays, so there’s no need for sunscreen on covered areas. But could we be making an incorrect assumption? Maybe – not all clothes block out as much UV radiation as you may think. Some brands offer designated sun-protective clothing, and some offer sun-protective laundry aids, but to get the most protection out of our ordinary clothes, it’s best to opt for dark, tightly stitched fabrics.
To put it into perspective, clothes with a UPF of 50 blocks out 98% of UV rays. A white T-shirt has a UPF of only 7, while a long-sleeve dark denim shirt has a UPF of 1700. Denim is said to be a “complete sun block”.The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a UPF of 50+ if you’re planning to be exposed to high levels of UV radiation.
https://qsun.co/does-clothing-block-uv-rays/
Does UPF wash out of clothing?
Do cotton shirts provide sun protection?
No. It is important to understand that an everyday white cotton T-shirt has a UPF of only about 5. As a rule of thumb, the more intense the hue, the better protection the clothing will provide.
What does skin cancer look like?
Images of what skin Cancer Looks Like
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops when melanocytes (the cells that give the skin its tan or brown color) start to grow out of control.
Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can then spread to other areas of the body.
Melanoma is much less common than some other types of skin cancers. But melanoma is more dangerous because it’s much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not caught and treated early.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/what-is-melanoma.html
What does melanoma look like?
Melanoma is a type of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). Below are photos of melanoma that formed on the skin. Melanoma can also start in the eye, the intestines, or other areas of the body with pigmented tissues.
Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the shape, color, size, or feel of an existing mole. However, melanoma may also appear as a new mole. People should tell their doctor if they notice any changes on the skin. The only way to diagnose melanoma is to remove tissue and check it for cancer cells.
Thinking of "ABCDE" can help you remember what to look for:
- Asymmetry: The shape of one half does not match the other half.
- Border that is irregular: The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.
- Color that is uneven: Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen.
- Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than the size of a pea (larger than 6 millimeters or about 1/4 inch).
- Evolving: The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months.
Melanomas can vary greatly in how they look. Many show all of the ABCDE features. However, some may show changes or abnormal areas in only one or two of the ABCDE features.
In more advanced melanoma, the texture of the mole may change. The skin on the surface may break down and look scraped. It may become hard or lumpy. The surface may ooze or bleed. Sometimes the melanoma is itchy, tender, or painful.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/melanoma-photos
What causes melanoma?
Melanoma occurs when something goes wrong in the melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) that give color to your skin.
Normally, skin cells develop in a controlled and orderly way — healthy new cells push older cells toward your skin's surface, where they die and eventually fall off. But when some cells develop DNA damage, new cells may begin to grow out of control and can eventually form a mass of cancerous cells.
Just what damages DNA in skin cells and how this leads to melanoma isn't clear. It's likely that a combination of factors, including environmental and genetic factors, causes melanoma. Still, doctors believe exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and from tanning lamps and beds is the leading cause of melanoma.
UV light doesn't cause all melanomas, especially those that occur in places on your body that don't receive exposure to sunlight. This indicates that other factors may contribute to your risk of melanoma.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374884
Does BloqUV contain BPA or BPS?
Our bloqtek fabric is free of BPA and BPS toxins. BPA and BPS are two types of bisphenols, a group of chemicals with possible adverse effects on human health and environmental impact.