Comments on: Hiking Lady Tip: Protect Your Skin from the Sun! http://hikinglady.com/2009/tip-of-the-week-protect-your-skin-from-the-sun/ Mon, 21 May 2012 17:09:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Hiking Lady http://hikinglady.com/2009/tip-of-the-week-protect-your-skin-from-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-338 Hiking Lady Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:04:05 +0000 http://hikinglady.com/?p=2544#comment-338 Thanks for your question, Edie! UPF protection is primarily a function of the tightness of the weave, but many fabrics are also treated to increase their UPF rating. Manufacturers do this treatment so they can use light weight and light-colored materials, but still have highly protective apparel. The treatment is effectively a clear dye, that enables a light colored fabric to absorb UVR rays just like dark colored fabrics naturally do. If you don't want to buy specially woven (and usually costlier) UPF hiking apparel, keep in mind that in addition to the weave, fabric weight and color influence UPF protection. Heavier weight fabrics like wool have more protection than lighter weight cotton, and darker fabrics absorb more UVR rays compared to lighter colored clothing. Thanks for your question, Edie! UPF protection is primarily a function of the tightness of the weave, but many fabrics are also treated to increase their UPF rating. Manufacturers do this treatment so they can use light weight and light-colored materials, but still have highly protective apparel. The treatment is effectively a clear dye, that enables a light colored fabric to absorb UVR rays just like dark colored fabrics naturally do.

If you don’t want to buy specially woven (and usually costlier) UPF hiking apparel, keep in mind that in addition to the weave, fabric weight and color influence UPF protection. Heavier weight fabrics like wool have more protection than lighter weight cotton, and darker fabrics absorb more UVR rays compared to lighter colored clothing.

]]> By: Edie http://hikinglady.com/2009/tip-of-the-week-protect-your-skin-from-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-337 Edie Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:28:38 +0000 http://hikinglady.com/?p=2544#comment-337 What, exactly, makes a fabric have a higher UPF than the next fabric? Is it a treatment, or is it in the weave? What, exactly, makes a fabric have a higher UPF than the next fabric? Is it a treatment, or is it in the weave?

]]> By: Sharon Van Lieu http://hikinglady.com/2009/tip-of-the-week-protect-your-skin-from-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-331 Sharon Van Lieu Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:16:24 +0000 http://hikinglady.com/?p=2544#comment-331 Thanks for the reminder. I enjoy your blog very much. Sharon Thanks for the reminder. I enjoy your blog very much.

Sharon

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