What is Sun Protection Factor?

UPF/SPF Rating defines the indicates the length of time someone can spend outdoors without burning. When wearing a 15 UPF garment, a person who normally burns after 20 minutes can tolerate 15 times 20 minutes (300 minutes) without burning.

UV Sun-protective fabrics differ from typical summer fabrics in several ways. They usually have a tighter weave or knit and are darker in color. Garments made with these fabrics may have a label showing the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). The higher the UPF, the higher the UV protection.

The UPF rating indicates how much of the sun's UV radiation is absorbed by the fabric. For example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 20 allows 1/20th of the sun's UV radiation to pass through it. This means that the fabric would reduce your skin's UV radiation exposure by 20 times where it's protected by the fabric.

Garments with a rating above UPF 50 may be labeled UPF 50+; however, they may not offer substantially more protection than those with a UPF of 50. Also, a garment shouldn't be labeled "sun-protective" or "UV-protective" if its UPF is less than 15. In addition, sun-protective clothing may lose its effectiveness if it's too tight or stretched out, and worn and washed repeatedly.

You may see labels on sun-protective garments stating that the garment meets standards developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). ASTM is just one organization that has developed a standard guide for the testing and labeling of UV protective fabrics. While manufacturers don't have to comply with the ASTM standard guide, those that say they do must label their garments with UPF values.

Why cover up when the water is warm?

Depending on whom you ask, the answer could be comfort, modesty, sun safety and environmental protection, or simply the desire to look good in the water. You may find it's also great, pleasant fun.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 1 million people will be diagnosed with cases of skin cancer this year in the United States. Wearing sun-protective clothing and limiting your sun exposure can reduce your risk for skin cancer. It's important to understand the labeling information on sun protection products and shop carefully.

Can I wear these clothes in a swimming pool?

Yes, absolutely. Lycra clothes are classified as swimwear. You can enjoy them in most public pools, indoor swimming centres and water parks. Bright colors make your child easy to spot!

Will my child be able to wear it for more than one summer?

We recommend that you buy at least one size larger than your child currently wears. However, if your child is bigger than average, buy two sizes larger. If you choose the right size, the all-way stretch fabric should provide you with two summers of wear before you pass it down.

Are there special care requirements?

Always remember to rinse them well after use and let them dry in the shade. Avoid the dryer, use mild detergents and don't pack them wet. The fabric is chlorine resistant, but it is still important to rinse it well after use in chlorine or salt water. Many swimsuits are made of a chlorine resistant polyester fabric which is fairly durable.

Aren't these black outfits hot?

Forget the myth that black is hot! The only thing hot about these outfit is the look! This is probably the most frequently asked question we get and the answer is no, they are not hot.

In fact, they were originally designed for Australia's blistering heat. The material is similar to that worn by long-distance bike riders and other athletes. While they cover more of the body, they are made of a tightly-woven, lightweight and cool material.

The American Academy of Dermatology states that "tightly-woven clothing reflects heat and helps to keep you feeling cool." Should you get too hot, just soak it with a quick dip and your swimshirt keeps you fresh for a while.

Isn't just sunscreen enough?

No. While sunscreen remains an important part of a balanced sun protection plan, many organisations such as the American Cancer Society, the Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend wearing tightly-woven protective clothing because it can reduce exposure to a broad spectrum of UVA and UVB rays.

Why not just use a T-shirt?

While a very heavy, dark, tightly-woven T-shirt may offer sun protection, most summer-weight cotton T-shirts offer as little as 10 SPF dry and lose 50% of their SPF when wet. The minimum UPF recommended by the American Cancer Society and others is 15. You can layer T-shirts to increase this, especially in hot climates where the cooling effect of cotton is welcome.

A major advantage of Lycra fabrics is their ability to stretch to fit a wide range of body shapes and sizes. Lycra fabrics come in two varieties known as Raschel and Trico, and we feel that Trico fabrics are superior, as they will stretch equally in all directions.

These swimming clothes can be worn in and out of the water, are lightweight and made from a fast drying soft cool fabric. If you or your kids go constantly in and out of the water you may want a fast drying nylon/lycra mix. This modern fabric is designed for swimwear and retains far less moisture than a cotton garment. Because it dries so quickly you really can wear it all day, no matter how many times you're in and out of the water.

New, dry and unstretched, what does it mean?

Just as you can select a sunscreen on the basis of its SPF rating, you can now select your clothing on the basis of its UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). This measurement, which was developed in Australia, is gaining international acceptance.

"New, dry and unstretched" is a necessary benchmark for radiation labs. It is the only way UV fabrics can be rated on an equal basis. Different types of water (sea, chlorinated or tap) will have different effects on fabric. When wearing a garment, one person will stretch fabric to different degrees and in different places to another. Finally, some users will wear the fabric out more than others.

Polyolefin Fabric

is a slightly more costly fabric that is now used in skin-style suits. According to Rick Ashley of Aeroskins, Polyolefin is one of the most durable fabrics made. It has the stretch of a Lycra, combined with superior abrasion resistance, fade resistance and insulating ability. Some feature a soft brushed lining for added warmth.

Water evaporating from damp fabric creates a cooling effect, causing you to continue losing heat even after you're out of the water. Because it does not absorb water, Polyolefin lessens evaporative cooling, a phenomenon that takes place when a person wearing a wet garment (wetsuit, skin suit or even a damp T-shirt) is exposed to wind and sun.