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AYANA Apparel offers UV Protection clothing that provides protection not available from non UV Protection clothes. Our line of SPF clothing provides protection from UVR.
What is UVR?
Ultraviolet radiation is a portion of the sun's electromagnetic energy spectrum. It is commonly split into three bands: UVC, UVB, and UVA.
- UVC rays are completely absorbed by the ozone and oxygen layers and do not reach the earth's surface.
- Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, but some do reach the earth. Even in small amounts, UVB rays cause most sunburns and the vast majority of skin damage, including premature aging and skin cancer. The intensity of UVB rays can vary depending on the time of day, the season, latitude, altitude, etc.
- UVA rays penetrate the skin's surface deeper than UVB rays, harming DNA and compromising the immune system. Affecting the human body on a cellular level, this damage can destroy your natural defense to cancer.
It's important to understand that the intensity of UVA rays during an early winter morning in Seattle is similar to the intensity of UVA rays experienced at noon during summer in Miami. UVA rays are constant and direct, so we need protection year-round regardless of where we live.
Why do we need protection from UV rays?
There are both positive and negative effects of sun exposure. We need sunlight to help our body synthesize vitamin D, assimilate calcium and increase the secretion of melatonin - the "feel-good" hormone - among other basic functions.
However, overexposure to UVB and UVA rays is a virtual attack on the skin, damaging cells at every level. Overexposure to UVA and UVB can result in sunburn, premature aging and even malignant melanoma (skin cancer). Dermatologists report that 90% of premature aging and skin cancers are caused by too much sun exposure and have reached high reported levels in the U.S. Unfortunately, for most people, just 20 minutes can be enough time for sun damage to begin.
This does not mean you should never leave your house, but you do need to practice preventative measures for sun protection:
- Minimize exposure when the sun is at its peak
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater
- Wear UV Protection clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and garments that have a certified UPF label.
For more information about the effects of UV rays, please visit these links:
www.arpansa.gov.au www.skincancer.org www.aad.org
What is the difference between SPF and UPF?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a rating used for sunscreens, while UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is a rating used for clothing. But the most important difference is the ability to use these products effectively.
SPF sunscreens can be good protectors, but most often they are used incorrectly, decreasing their effectiveness significantly.
Conversely, UPF 30 clothing that follows industry standards will protect the wearer against 97% of UVR rays.
Doesn't my regular summer clothing protect me against the sun?
New research from the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA, suggests that the most popular summer garb - shirts and polo shirts - may not adequately protect against UV rays.
A number of factors affect the level of ultraviolet protection provided by any fabric:
- Weave - tighter is better
- Weight (also called mass or cover factor) - heavier is better
The warmer and sunnier it gets, the more we tend to wear light colored garments, which actually let through a surprising amount of UV rays.
The difference in certified UPF clothing is the use of titanium dioxide (a sun blocker also found in sunscreen) or an UV-Absorber. Certified UV Protection clothes are a smart preven-tative to skin cancer and helps slow down the aging of the skin.
How can I be sure that your garments are UV-Protective?
Look for the certified label. Any UV-Protective clothing that has a certified label attached has performed to at least one of the certified test standards listed below.
World-wide Certified Test Standards:
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials D6544 and AATCC Test Method 183 www.astm.org
Why should I wear AYANA Sun Protective Clothing?
AYANA Apparel gives you certified UV-Protection in fashion-forward style. All AYANA UV Protection clothing products are tested and certified by the Australian/New Zealand Standard 4399 (AS/NZS 4399) based on a combination of protection and comfort. Every one of our garments comes with the standard certification label.
AYANA's UV Protective clothes fabric transports moisture away from your skin to keep you dry, cool and comfortable. Unlike surface treated fabric, AYANA SPF clothing remains durable and retains its very good UV-Protection function even after washing.
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