We all know that the sun's rays are becoming more dangerous over the years and the increased incidence of skin cancer (or melanoma) is one proof. Now researchers writing in The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal, have discovered the world's most effective sunscreen. Short of staying indoors, this method of blocking the sun's rays works better than any SPF product yet invented. What is this great new product? Wear proper protective clothing.
Ah ah ah you say? Well, it turns out, there is a lot to learn about protective clothing, since more and more people are relying on it, and not all protective clothing is created equal. According to the authors, the best protection comes from tightly woven clothing combined with a good hat. The study looked at different clothing and found that a light cotton t-shirt (probably the most frequently worn protection) actually only provides the equivalent of around SPF 10. As importantly, the study found that a wet t-shirt affords less protection than dry, something that snorklers should take into account when protecting themselves from the sun. In general it appears, thickness, weight, color and porosity all matter - so if you are going to rely on clothing, make sure it's the right stuff.
For those (the vast majority of us) who somehow don't think a day at the beach is quite the same when covered head to toe, the authors have some other helpful hints:
- Apply the sunscreen over your entire body in a uniform manner and don't skimp. Barriers that are opaque, such as zinc oxide, work best
- Any sunscreen that is organically based should be applied at least 15 minutes before exposure
- Be sure to use sunscreens that are waterproof or water-resistant, and of course, the higher the SPF the better
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