Safeguard Your Skin With Sun Protection Clothing That's Actually Chic

E! Illustration/Lululemon, Solbari, Coolibar

How does UPF clothing work?

• "UPF clothing works by physically blocking ultraviolet radiation before it reaches your skin. Depending on the fabric, that protection can come from tightly woven fibers, darker dyes, special fabric treatments, or a combination of all three."
• "I often tell patients to think of it as sunscreen built into your clothing. Instead of needing to remember to reapply, the protection is already there every time you put it on."

What do UPF clothing ratings mean? How are they different from SPF ratings?

UPF and SPF actually measure different things, Dr. Liu explained:

• "SPF only tells you how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, which are primarily responsible for sunburn."
• "UPF measures how much of both UVA and UVB radiation can penetrate a fabric. For example, a UPF 50 garment allows only about 1/50th of UV radiation to pass through, blocking roughly 98% of UV rays."
• "In general, I recommend looking for UPF 30 at a minimum, and UPF 50+ if you’re spending extended time outdoors."

Will UPF clothing break down over time or with washing?

Dr. Liu confirmed that "it depends on how the garment was made." After scrolling through so many options to choose from, many clothing items will list how long they have tested the efficacy of UPF protection in washes or hours in the sun.

"Many UPF garments maintain their protection for years with normal use and washing, while some fabrics that rely on special treatments can gradually lose effectiveness over time," Dr. Liu says. "Following the manufacturer’s care instructions is important. That said, if a garment becomes excessively stretched, threadbare, or worn out, its protective ability may decrease regardless of the original UPF rating."

How often should you be reapplying sunscreen? Any reapplication tips/products for when it's hot out?

"The recommendation is every two hours when you’re outdoors, and sooner if you’re swimming, sweating heavily, or toweling off. The reality is that reapplication is where most people fall short," Dr. Liu explained.

Dr. Liu walked us through her favorite sunscreen products, which starts with "a solid layer of SPF, like SHISEIDO Urban Environment Vita-Clear SPF 42."

"It’s lightweight, layers beautifully under makeup, and gives the skin a brighter, smoother appearance, but of all its also water resistant something I always recommend, especially for summer," she added.

Dr. Liu added, "For the body, my favorite is the SHISEIDO Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 60+. It’s water-resistant, comfortable to wear, and ideal for outdoor activities."

How is UPF clothing different from wearing regular clothes in the sun?

If you thought all clothing offers the same protection... think again! "A lightweight white T-shirt may only provide a UPF of around 5 to 10 when dry, and even less when wet or stretched," Dr. Liu said.

• "UPF clothing is specifically tested and designed to provide consistent protection. For patients who spend a lot of time outdoors, exercise regularly, or simply struggle with sunscreen application, UPF clothing is one of the easiest ways to significantly reduce cumulative UV exposure."
• "I love it for kids, especially when reapplication all over is a challenge-in the summer, rash guards can be very helpful not just for kids but also adults."

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