Can UV Rays Go Through Clothing?
Ultraviolet rays, or UV rays, can be dangerous if you are exposed for too long, as too much UV can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Therefore, many people worry about whether or not their clothing can protect them from UV rays. The answer is yes, depending on the fabric used, but there are also some UV-resistant fabrics available.
How Does Clothing Protect from UV Rays?
Clothing provides some protection from UV rays because fabrics are not transparent. This means that the fabric blocks the UV rays from getting to your skin. Different fabrics, however, offer different levels of protection.
Fabrics That Offer Protection from UV Rays
When choosing clothing to protect you from UV, look for tightly woven fabrics or fabrics with a UV-protective finish. Some fabrics that offer UV protection are:
- Cotton:Cotton is a relatively thick fabric and provides some protection from the sun’s UV rays.
- Linen:Linen is a looser weave than cotton, which makes it less effective when it comes to protection. However, it is still better than wearing no clothing at all.
- Synthetic fabrics:Synthetic fabrics like polyester, spandex and nylon offer more UV protection than cotton or linen.
- UV-resistant fabrics:Fabrics that are specifically designed to be UV resistant usually offer the best protection from the sun’s rays.
Clothing provides some level of protection from UV rays, but some fabrics offer more protection than others. Whenever possible, opt for tightly woven fabrics or UV-protective fabrics to get the best protection from the sun’s UV rays.