Skin experts have warned those out in the sun to wear specific colours to help protect against damage caused by harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. It's common knowledge we should be lathering on suncream when hot weather hits, but not everyone is aware of how the sun can penetrate through clothes and still damage the skin.
Melanoma skin cancer incidence rates are projected to rise by nine per cent in the UK between now and 2038, Cancer Research says. Meanwhile, around 86 per cent of all skin cancers in the UK are attributable to excessive exposure to sunlight.
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), the colour of clothing you wear and what it's made of makes an enormous difference to how well it protects you from the sun. "The colour of your clothing can affect how well it protects you from UV rays," the organisation says.
"Dark or bright colours, including red, black and navy blue, absorb more UV rays than lighter colours like whites and pastels. For example, an everyday white cotton T-shirt has a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of only about five.
"As a rule of thumb, the more intense the hue, the better protection the clothing will provide." What the garment is made out of is also important, with dense material being a better option - although this is tricky to wear in the heat.
The SCF explains: "Like colour, the material, weave and texture of your clothing can affect how well it protects you from UV rays. Synthetic and semisynthetic fibres like polyester or rayon are the best choices for sun protection, as are dense, heavy, tightly woven fabrics like wool, denim or corduroy.
"On the opposite end of the spectrum are natural and lightweight fabrics (think: bleached or refined cotton, crepe, and silk), which tend to be thinner and let more light pass through." However, SCF admits: "Shiny polyesters and even lightweight satiny silks can be highly protective because they reflect radiation."
Looser fitting garments are also better at protecting against sun damage, as tight clothes see fibres stretch and let UV rays in. If you're going to be out in the sun for a long time, or work outside, it's worth buying specific UPF clothing.
