Summer means fun at the beach, park, or pool. It also means time for sun protection because in the California Cancer Registry, the California Department of Health Services estimates that this year in Sacramento County there will be 215 new cases of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

But besides seeking shade and wearing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, there's one more thing you can do: wear sun protective clothing.

"It's a misconception to think that every form of clothing provides enough sun protection to prevent sunburn,"? said dermatologist Susan H. Weinkle, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

"In fact, most of the summer clothes we have hanging in our closets would not get high marks for sun protection. But knowing what types of fabrics and colors to look for is a good start."? How to Select Sun Protective Fabric for you and Your Children Light-colored, light weight fabrics, and those with a loose weave do not offer adequate protection from the sun's harmful rays.

"An easy way to test the amount of sun protection in an article of clothing is to hold it up to a light or window and see how much light passes through the fabric,"? said Dr. Weinkle. "If a lot of light passes through, it will not provide adequate sun protection and you should opt for a more opaque fabric."?

Also, consider whether the fabric is stretched or wet when worn. "Any article of clothing that is stretched in certain areas loses some level of UV protection, because the fabric becomes thinner and more transparent to light,"? explained Dr. Weinkle.

"Wet clothing also poses a problem, with some fabrics - such as cotton - losing up to 50 percent of their SPF. In Florida, for example, it's common practice for parents to put a white T-shirt on their children to protect them from the sun while swimming. What parents don't realize is when this T-shirt gets wet, it actually provides very little sun protection."? And it's particularly important to protect children's skin from sun exposure.

"Childhood sunburns increase the risk of melanoma, says Georgia Abrams M.D., a dermatologist who treats skin cancer in Saratoga, California. "Patients may not be aware of skin cancer that is covered by clothing on areas, such as the back."?

So she advises patients to have a yearly skin check.

Sun Protective Clothing for Infants and Children

Kerry Marini, a former Elk Grove teacher and mother of two, was concerned about protecting her infant's skin from the sun while visiting her family in Australia. From that concern emerged her idea to create a sun protective clothing company in the United States. Fun In The Sun Solar Wear TM, LLC, a company in El Dorado Hills, sells apparel for infants and children that has been lab tested by DuPont and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and found to have a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of 50+.

The Fun in the Sun Solar Wear fabric, invented by Dupont, is UV protective, elastic fiber LYCRA . "It was designed with a special microfiber weave which does not allow the UV rays in but still is breathable, cool and comfortable to wear,"? says Marini. "And the hats are so lightweight and cool that children forget they are wearing them."?

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that infants under six months of age wear sun protective clothing and stay in the shade. However, "children under six months of age should not have prolonged sun exposure but if this does occur then sunscreen should be used."?

Marini also wears sun protective clothing. "Even though I have olive skin I am now aware of the premature aging of skin due to overexposure of the sun. I was one of those sun worshipers in my teens and early 20's. I did all the wrong things like baking in the sun with baby oil, etc. I now use sunscreen everyday and wear a swimsuit which covers my shoulders and torso and a sun shirt with shorts, skirts, or Capri pants, all which I designed."?

Wash Sun Protection into Your Clothes

RIT Sun Guard, a laundry additive, has also been recommended for fabric protection from the Skin Cancer Foundation. The UV absorber in Sun Guard offers 96% UV protection, changing an ordinary white T-shirt from 5 UPF to 30 UPF. The ingredient TINOSORBTM FD, produced by Ciba Specialty Products, is what penetrates a fabric and absorbs UV. The treated fabric will be UV protective for about 20 washings. RIT Sun Guard can be purchased at fabric and craft stores, such as Michael's Arts and you can also view information on RIT Sun Guard and find out where to buy it.

Factors that contribute to the UPF rating of a fabric are: -

" Composition of the yarns (cotton, polyester, etc)

" Tightness of the weave or knit (tighter improves the rating)

" Color (darker colors are generally better)

" Stretch (more stretch lowers the rating)

" Moisture (many fabrics have lower ratings when wet)

" Condition (worn and faded garments may have reduced ratings)

" Finishing (some fabrics are treated with UV absorbing chemicals)

Sources and Credits: ("Expected New Cancer Cases by County-2005,"? California Cancer Facts and Figures 205, California Cancer Registry, California Department of Health Services).

"Factors that contribute to the UPF rating"? Reprint permission granted by Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) June 20, 2005