04/09/2010

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING HUES

While it is often recommended that people wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing to guard against excessive skin exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, few know what clothing colors offer the best protection. For instance, is it better to wear a yellow shirt out in the sun or a blue shirt? To find out, scientists recently dyed cotton fabrics in a wide range of red, blue, and yellow colors, then measured each one’s ability to absorb UV light. This is important because fabric color is one of the most important determining factors when it comes to protecting the skin against UV light. Researchers found that deep shades of blue provided the best protection while yellow provided the least.

With warmer weather only a few weeks away, more and more people will be spending time outdoors. In your excitement about the sun and warmth, don’t forget to protect your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing certain color clothing and also sunscreen on exposed skin. If you notice any unusual moles or lesions on your skin, please call ELMHURST DERMATOLOGY at 630-832-2111. We can diagnose basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in their early stages and create an individualized treatment program. Our office is located at 103 N. Haven, Suite 7, Elmhurst. Your skin specialist, dedicated to providing expert care of all disorders of the skin, hair, and nails.

P.S. The looseness of the weave of clothing plays a big role in determining a garment’s UV-protection effectiveness.