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Is it true that clothing always provides good UV protection?

	:: Questions Preventing UV damage - it's up to you! How can I safely enjoy the sun? What are simple action steps for sun protection? When is sun protection necessary? Does sunscreen offer good protection? What kind of sunscreen should I use? Is it true that clothing always provides good UV protection? What are the right sunglasses? What should I take into account when I go travelling? Are children particularly vulnerable? How can I care for children in the sun?

Clothing provides the ideal barrier from the sun. In contrast to sunscreen lotion, clothing is relatively cheap and does not rub off. Cool, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat are the essentials for your summer sun protection kit. However, even through a garment, photodamage can occur. Against common belief, the simple see-through test is not good enough to assess the effectiveness of UV protective clothing and often turns out to be a pitfall. Clothing design, the type and structure of the fabric, its colour and tightness and whether the garment is wet or dry determine its effectiveness in protecting against UV radiation.

Over the past few years the concept of a so-called Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) has been introduced, and in some countries manufacturers include the UPF with their garment labelling. The UPF is a measure of the protection against UV radiation provided by an item of clothing, and is the equivalent of the sun protection factor or SPF for sunscreens. The higher the UPF value, the less UV radiation reaches the skin and the better the protection against sunburn and other harmful effects. Unfortunately, an international standard for the concept of the UPF has not been developed yet.

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