UV Swimwear
From LoveToKnow Swimsuits
What is UV Swimwear?
UV Swimwear does for your body what sunscreen and sun hats do for your face and skin. It offers protection from the sun's harmful rays. How is this accomplished? By adding UV blocking during the dyeing process, swimsuits made from nylon and Lycra can provide sun protection similar to that found in sun screen.
How Safe Is It?
Most brands of UV swimwear have UPF ratings between 10 and 50. UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is a rating for fabrics which is similar to the SPF rating we're used to seeing on sunscreen. UPF 50 is the highest protection level currently available, which means that around 98% of UV radiation from the sun will be blocked from reaching your skin in areas covered by the suit.
Swimwear manufacturers can't, however, claim to offer UPF protection in their garments unless they have first been certified by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency, or ARPANSA. In order to obtain this certification, and produce UV swimwear, the manufacturer must first provide ARPANSA with a sample of the fabric being used, which is then tested to make sure that the level of protection being claimed is accurate. Once ARPANSA is satisfied that the tests have been passed, they will then issue the manufacturer labels stating the exact UPF protection level of the fabric sample, which they can then add to their garments.
Because the UV swimwear industry is so tightly controlled, you can be reasonably sure that the garment you're buying will offer the advertised amount of protection from the sun's rays. For complete peace of mind, however, you may want to combine a UV swimsuit with a layer of sunscreen, and you should always remember to apply cream to any areas of your skin which remain uncovered.
Styles Available
UV swimwear comes in a range of different styles, all of which offer varying levels of UPF protection. In general, the skimpier the garment is, the lower the level of protection it will offer, so a Brazilian bikini will offer far less protection than a one piece.
Because the primary purpose of UV swimwear is to protect the wearer from the sun, some styles are available which cover much larger areas of the body than regular swimwear. In children's lines in particular, you'll find swimsuits with longer legs and arms that you'll normally see on the beach, which look more like a wetsuit than a swimsuit in appearance.
For children who are in and out of the water, and/or don't want to stand still long enough to have sunscreen re-applied, a sun-suit of this type can be one of the safest forms of swimwear around. Some styles even include hoods that eliminate the problem of trying to keep a sun hat on an energetic toddler!
Other Tips for UV Protection
Anyone who plans on spending time in the sun should think carefully about how they'll protect their skin, but children and people with very fair skin are particularly at risk to overexposure from the sun.
Even if you're wearing a UV swimsuit, remember to pop a tube of sunscreen in your beach bag – the higher the factor, the better. Re-apply your cream regularly, especially after swimming, and if you intend to spend a lot of time in the water, consider buying a waterproof sunscreen.
Always take along a sun hat and sunglasses, and keep an eye out for other UPF products, such as these UV tents for the beach.
Where to Buy UV Swimwear
As UV swimwear becomes more popular, you should find some styles in your local swim store. You'll also find UV swimwear at the following websites:
Learn More
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