Even if it's covered, is it really covered?

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is essential. While sunscreen is a must, wearing UPF 50+ textiles and skin protective clothing takes sun protection to the next level. Be aware what kinds of garments you put on while seeking protection. Some hats, towels and other textiles may not suffice. Even if it is covered, is it really covered? Know the benefits of sun-protective undergarments.

What are UVA and UVB rays? 

UVA are rays that expose you at your deepest layer of skin. These rays get you tan, and are the strongest of the rays. UVB rays on the other hand, are the rays that don't go deepest, but at this layer is why people "build their bases" before going out on vacation somewhere closer to the equator. Both rays come from the sun and can overexpose you if you do not take precautions for your lifestyle.

What is UPF 50+?

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, which measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate through a fabric that you think is covering you and reach your skin. A UPF rating of 50+ means that only 1/50th of the sun's UV radiation can pass through the fabric, providing excellent protection. This means that UPF 50+ textiles let in no more than 2% of all UVA & UVB Rays.

How much sun can pass through non UPF 50+ Garments?

See, traditional textiles leave rays no choice but to shine through the fabric. A cotton shirt for example, would allow roughly 20% of UVA and UVB rays to pass through and expose your skin underneath. 

Unless they are a UPF 50+ fabric, the clothing or towels will not be guaranteed to block out almost everything.

Why Choose UPF 50+ Clothing?

UPF 50+ textiles offer several advantages over regular clothing because less than 2% of UVA & UVB rays can even pass through according to skincancer.org. Here are a few more benefits with UPF 50+ clothing:

• Maximum Sun Protection: UPF 50+ textiles provide the highest level of sun protection available, blocking out 98% of UV rays.
• Long-lasting Protection: Unlike sunscreen, which needs to be reapplied regularly, UPF 50+ textiles maintain their sun protection properties throughout the day.
• Comfortable and Breathable: By incorporating UPF 50+ textiles into your wardrobe, you can enjoy the outdoors with peace of mind. UPF 50+ textiles are designed to be lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking, ensuring maximum comfort even on hot summer days to rainy or cool days. 
• Stylish Options: Gone are the days of bulky, unattractive sun-protective clothing. HeartGlass Swimwear Shapewear products are UPF 50+ garments with a range of versatility that can be styled as swimwear, sport bras, bodysuits or shapewear and can be worn on the daily underneath your traditional non UPF50+ garments. The HeartGlass Two Piece Top is worn as a sport bra and bralette underneath any types of clothing to protect the most sensitive areas that are prone to overexposure. The HeartGlass Swim Bodysuit is not only a swimsuit, but can be worn as a bodysuit that has built in sport bra support and sun-protective clothing as a bodysuit under a blazer, paired under a dress as shapewear, as a tank bodysuit with your favorite skirt, shorts or pants, or workout attire.