For the Best Sun Protection, Don't Forget the Hats and Caps!

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Harrison_Binnie]Harrison Binnie

Sun protection is all about making sure as much of the skin is covered as possible--rapidly rising rates of skin cancer are showing just how important it is to protect our skin against UVR, or ultraviolet radiation. Babies are especially vulnerable to the sun's harmful rays, and suffering just a handful of sunburns early in life leads to a much higher risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

Sun protection should include much more than just sunscreen or sunblock. Of course sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 is important for covering parts of the skin that are not protected by clothing or swimwear, but let's think about how much skin we actually allow to show. Where sun protection is concerned, less is better in terms of how much skin is exposed.

When planning your baby or kids' swimwear for the season, start by protecting their face and head. Broad-brimmed hats and caps with a UPF of 50+ offer the best protection possible. Choose a legionnaire style hat for complete protection of the back and side of the neck, which is especially vulnerable to UVR from the sun. Add a pair of EPF 10 sunglasses to protect the eyes as well.

Next it's time to think about other sun protective clothing and swimwear. Always look for products that are made of a tightly woven material with a UPF of at 50+, which is the highest ultraviolet protection factor available in clothing. There are many options available in both long and short sleeves, which are much better than the skimpy swimsuits that simply do not provide enough protection against UVR.

In addition to all these sun protective measures, there are also a few other tips you should keep in mind to minimize your children's exposure to UVR. Keep them inside between the hours of 10am and 2pm, which is when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Also remember to put sunscreen on at least 20 to 30 minutes before going outside so that it has time to absorb into the skin and start protecting. A waterproof broad spectrum sunscreen is best because it protects from both types of radiation from the sun and does not wash off in the water.

Sun protection is very easy when you plan ahead and know how to take care of your skin. All it takes is a little knowledge, and you can easily protect against the sun's radiation. [http://www.OzSwimwear.com]Oz Swimwear sells Sun Emporium, a leading Australian brand of quality swimwear - designed to offer excellent UV sun protection to delicate young skin.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?For-the-Best-Sun-Protection,-Dont-Forget-the-Hats-and-Caps!&id=6246376] For the Best Sun Protection, Don't Forget the Hats and Caps!