Sun Protection - Shelta Sun Hats

Our Fabrics are certified to block 98% of harmful UVA/UVB radiation and deliver an Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+,
the maximum rating given*

Sun protection info:
Sunlight includes rays of invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation; overexposure to UV rays can lead to sunburn, accelerated skin aging and skin cancer. Sunscreen and clothing offer your main forms of UV protection.
All fabrics disrupt UV radiation to some degree. Fabric that does the best job carries and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating from 15 (good) to 50+ (excellent).
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is a rating system used for apparel. It indicates how effectively fabrics shield skin from 
Ultraviolet (UV) rays. The higher the UPF number, the greater degree of UV protection a garment offers.
UPF is similar to SPF (Sun Protection Factor), the rating system used for sunscreen products. UPF gauges a fabric’s 
Effectiveness against UVB rays, the sunburn-causing segment of the ultraviolet spectrum.

UPF Range           Protection Category               Effective UV-R Transmission (%)                    UPF Rating
15-24                     Good                                     6.7-4.2                                                              15,20
25-39                     Very Good                             4.1-2.6                                                              25,30,35
40-50,50+              Excellent                                Less than 2.5                                                   40,45,50,50+

Basically, a UPF rating of 50 indicates the fabric of a garment will allow only 1/50th (roughly 2%) of available UV 
Radiation to pass through it. A garment rated UPF 25 permits roughly 4% (1/25th) UV transmission. The higher the number, the better the protection the fabric offers. Any fabric that allows less than 2% UV transmission is simply labeled UPF 50+


*Our fabrics are tested and certified to the United States: American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorists (AATCC)
Test Method 183 and American Society for testing and Materials (ASTM) D 6544. A UPF labeling guide (ASTM D 6603)
Has also been adopted. 
Typically during these tests, UV light is transmitted through a garments’ fabric and measured by a radiation-measuring device, either a spectrophotometer or spectroradiometer. In most cases, the fabric is tested dry and without being stretched. The fabric’s ability to absorb UV light it then calculated and a UPF value is assigned. Shelta uses an independent lab to test fabric samples from its apparel line according to the AATCC/ASTM standard. To ensure accurate and representative UPF labeling, the lightest color of a garment style is always tested (since darker colors using higher concentrations of UV-absorbing dyes generate higher UPF values. 

Sometimes all colors of a particular style are tested. Repeated home launderings (regardless of whether or not the detergent contains an OBA optical brightening agent, the compound commonly found in household detergents) does not reduce the UPF rating of a woven or knitted fabric of cotton, polyester, or nylon. On the contrary UPF ratings are enhanced or remain unchanged by repeated launderings up to 20 times.

Shelta hats have a dark under-brim to help absorb sun glare from the surface reflection. Our hats provide multiple levels
Of sun protection, but like all other hats, it’s not enough. We strongly recommend using plenty of high rated sunscreen, UPF rated clothing and sunglasses that filter out all UVA & UVB rays.


TRUTHS about the sun and skin cancer
   
     TRUTH Most skin cancers are the result of too much time in the sun particularly during childhood BUT can be        prevented by protecting the skin from an early age.

     TRUTH It can take just 10-12 minutes in the sun for UV radiation to begin to damage skin

     TRUTH One severe sunburn incident doubles a child’s risk of melanoma later in life.

     TRUTH Effective shade is the best way to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

     TRUTH Personal protection strategies are also very important to protect against UV radiation.

     TRUTH UV radiation cannot be seen or felt – its not related to temperature.

MYTHS about the sun and skin cancer
     MYTH  A tan provides good protection against the sun. 
     Tanned skin is just damaged skin and offers almost no protection against UF radiation. Naturally
     dark skin provides some protection because it takes longer to burn than fair skin

     MYTH It’s OK to be in the sun when it’s not hot
     We do not feel UV radiation – when we feel hot, it is from infra-re radiation, not UV radiation. 
     In most locations, UV radiation levels are still high in spring and autumn even though temperatures can 
     be low. UV radiation if generally lower during winter, but reflection from the snow can double your exposure,
     especially at high altitudes.

     MYTH Taking regular breaks while sunbathing will prevent sunburn
     UV radiation exposure is cumulative. Total exposure will build up over the day no matter how many breaks you take.

     MYTH  You can’t get a sun burn on a cloudy day
     Up to 80% of solar UV radiation gets through light cloud cover. Haze in the atmosphere can even increase UV radiation      exposure.

     MYTH  We need plenty of sunlight for good health
     In normal daily life , we get more exposure to sunlight (and UV radiation) than is healthy. In some circumstances, such
     as nursing homes, people require deliberate exposure to low levels of UV radiation to maintain Vitamin D levels but
     these are exceptions.