sun protection Archives

Sun Protection Series #4: Understanding UPF Umbrellas

Posted on August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 Camille Smith

When you think of umbrellas, perhaps rain first comes to mind. However, umbrellas also serve an important function in blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays. While relaxing by the lake, an outdoor umbrella provides an extra layer of sunburn prevention. Our previous articles in the sun protection series focused on sunscreen, sunglasses, and UPF clothing. Today, our final piece in the series highlights the importance of UPF umbrellas. We talked with experts to answer common questions that you might have about this underrated, yet highly important product for your lake house.

How Do Umbrellas Block UV Rays?

Like clothing, UPF umbrellas work by providing a physical barrier between your skin and the sun. Their UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor, level depends on the type of fabric and how tightly woven it is. Dr. Aragona from Prescription Doctor comments, “The umbrella can be a normal nylon material, but some UV specific umbrellas are coated with a gum which blocks out even more rays.” While most umbrellas are made from nylon, many high-quality patio umbrellas have acrylic covers. “It’s highly effective at blocking UV-rays, but it’s not widely used,” says Jennifer Walden, operations director at WikiLawn. “If you can’t find acrylic, you can use tightly-woven nylon for something very close.” Another common fabric choice is olefin, commonly used in carpeting and is mildew resistant. Even without a durable, high-quality fabric, a standard umbrella should do the trick. According to Dr. Agarona, the average umbrella can help shade someone from three-quarters of UV light, which is impressive.

Are Certain Fabric Colors Best?

Have you ever worn a black shirt on a hot day and noticed your temperature rise? Or stepped onto a black pavement and felt that fiery sensation in your feet? The same logic works for UPF umbrellas. Because black fabric absorbs UV rays, a black umbrella will provide more sun protection than a covering of any other color. However, unlike a black shirt, your skin won’t be directly next to the heat source, so you’ll remain cool under the umbrella.

Should I Wear Sunscreen Under an Umbrella?

UPF umbrellas certainly block UV rays, but they aren’t the best-isolated approach. They reduce the amount of UV that directly reaches your skin but don’t protect against scattered UV rays that bounce off other objects. According to one study by Johnson & Johnson, umbrellas are far less protective than a sunscreen with an SPF of 100. The best approach is combining sunscreen and umbrellas for optimal protection. “A lot of people will buy a normal umbrella and think it will completely protect them,” says Dr. Aragona. “Where the umbrella cannot shade, you need to be wearing sunscreen.” One of the reasons for this is because indirect exposure to the sun is damaging. While UPF umbrellas help with direct exposure, you’ll need sunscreen to cover indirect rays.

What Umbrella Brands Are Best For Sun Protection?

While all umbrellas have at least some degree of UPF, certain brands will offer better coverage than others. For instance, Sunbrella is one of the few brands that use acrylic fabrics, which provides excellent protection against UV rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation even recommends some of their products. Sarah Dooley, director of upholstery at Sunbrella, adds, “Our fabrics perform well on all the above (UV protection, fade-proof, and resistance to wear and tear) and are engineered with built-in stain and moisture resistance. They’re breathable, allowing water vapor to pass through without trapping heat.” Similar to Sunbrella, Coolibar’s products are designed for ultimate sun protection. Both their umbrellas and clothing have a UPF factor of 50+, which blocks 98% of UV radiation. Michelle Rivard, PR manager at Coolibar, recommends the Intego Beach Umbrella. “It’s excellent for someone who lives on the lake,” she says, “It’s so easy to stake it in the ground for added shade in the sand or the yard.” Other well-known brands that carry UPF umbrellas include SunTek and Besroy, which you can find on Amazon.

Next time you enjoy a sunny day on the boat dock, don’t forget the umbrella!

Sun Protection Series #3: A Guide to UPF Clothing

Posted on July 30, 2020August 14, 2020 Camille Smith

As we’ve said before on this blog, sun protection is essential. Applying SPF at the lake is an integral step to keeping your skin safe. But sometimes, remembering topical protection is hard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 15% of men and 30% of women regularly wear sunscreen when spending more than an hour outside. For this reason, sun protective clothing is a great solution; no reapplication, and no worries. In this third article of our Sun Protection Series, we address frequently asked questions about UPF clothing.

What is UPF?

To put it simply, UPF is to clothes what SPF is to sunscreen. As you may know, SPF (Sun Protection Factor) evaluates how long sunscreen wards off UV rays before skin reddens. By contrast, UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how much UV radiation can penetrate clothing and reach the skin. Clothing with a high UPF is tightly woven to block the sun’s rays. Another distinction between SPF and UPF is the cosmic rays in which wearers are protected. Todd Minars, owner of Minars Dermatology, clarifies, “SPF is only used to rate topical products’ ability to protect against UVB rays, whereas UPF protects against UVA and UVB.” Since not all clothes prevent UV damage equally, UPF measures which clothing offers better sun protection.

What’s Great About UPF Clothing?

The downside of sunscreen is remembering to reapply after a few hours. Not to mention the pain of realizing too late that you’ve missed a spot. With UPF clothing, little thought is involved — just put it on! All clothes have some degree of UPF, even cotton t-shirts. However, a standard tee’s UPF rating averages a five on the scale and as low as three when wet. By contrast, UPF clothing designed for spending time outdoors claims to be upwards of 50. Of course, some types of clothes inherently have a high UPF, such as denim. However, in warm, outdoor weather, denim is often too hot to wear regularly, and it’s where UPF clothing comes in. UPF clothing offers premium sun protection, but it’s also relatively lightweight, so you don’t overheat.

Who Should Wear UPF Clothing?

UPF clothing’s popularity has exploded in recent years. It’s no wonder why, as it fills a niche for multiple populations — those forgetful with their skincare regime, people with an elevated skin cancer risk, and anyone who’s athletic and engaged in outdoor activities. Minars adds, “This is why you see UPF clothing commonly in water-living regions and outdoor sports communities such as running, fishing, snow sports, and more.” If you enjoy biking, hiking, or fishing at your lake house, it may be harder to apply sunscreen while doing these activities all day. As such, UPF clothing is a great option.

Can Hats Have UPF?

Yes! When buying hats to wear on the lake, consider UPF a high priority. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the two most common skin cancers often appear on the head and neck. Wearing hats protects these vulnerable areas. Dr. Tanya Kormeili, Board Certified Dermatologist in Santa Monica, says the best type of hat is any that does not allow the light to penetrate through. “Finely woven is ideal for keeping the light from coming through, along with a wide brim…You can pick styles and colors that are super fun and keep your personality shining through!”

What are the Best Brands for UPF Clothing?

Thankfully, there are lots from which to choose. Manufacturers such as Columbia, Coolibar, and REI produce entire lines of UV protective clothing. REI even offers a helpful guide on how to choose UPF clothing. For hats, many brands create headgear with excellent UPF. For instance, the Adventure Hat from Sunday Afternoons and REI’s Outdoor Research Oasis Sombrero Hat have brim and neck capes, designed for outdoor activities. And let’s not forget swimsuit brands. Although swimsuits are famous for leaving skin exposed, it doesn’t have to be that way. Plenty of companies make swimsuits with UPF and extra coverage. Products like this convertible swim shirt dress from Skinz have a UPF of 50+ and provide significant body coverage. For a cover-up, check out Athleta’s Baja UPF Jacket.

Lake Homes Realty, reminds lake residents to stay safe, stay sun-protected, and have fun!

Sun Protection Series #2: Why You Should Always Wear Sunglasses on the Lake

Posted on June 27, 2020July 8, 2020 Camille Smith

When you hear the phrase “sun protection,” do you only think of sunscreen? Of course, using SPF is vital for healthy skin and cancer prevention. However, you may not realize that UVA and UVB rays can harm the eyes just like they can damage the skin. For lake homeowners who love spending time outdoors, wearing sunglasses is a critical step in practicing sun protection. Whether you spend $10 or $200, a pair of sunnies aren’t just for style, and Lake Homes is here to explain why.

How Does the Sun Affect My Eyes?

As John Denver once said in a song, “sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.” Despite Denver’s words, the sun can do a lot more to your eyes than cause tears. Sun exposure has positive benefits like improving eyesight, but too much exposure can cause eye damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, eyelid skin cancer accounts for 5-10% of skin cancer cases. Many people haven’t considered the possibility of eyelid cancer, but this unknown aspect makes it dangerous. Left untreated, it can cause tissue damage and even blindness. Sun exposure to the eyes can also result in other conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. These ailments can take a long time to develop, so it’s best to begin sun protection early on. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, babies and kids should wear sunglasses and hats just like adults.

Why Are Sunglasses Important on the Lake?

If you own a lake home, you’re already spending a lot of time outside. As such, the increased frequency of sun exposure warrants more careful attention to sun protection. If you’re a hiker or cycler, UV intensity increases with altitude, making sun protection even more crucial. Additionally, a glaring (no pun intended) concern specific to lake dwellers is proximity to the water. According to Rebecca Berton, co-founder of Rheos Nautical Eyewear, “Water can reflect up to 100% of UV rays, doubling your exposure and increasing your risk of sun damage.” Water’s high refractive index can even result in corneal sunburn (snow blindness). This condition happens quickly and dramatically. In one instance, dog sled racer Doug Swingley developed corneal sunburn in seconds in the 2004 Iditarod sledding competition. Although water posits a lower risk than snow, it’s still possible.

What Are Some Good Sunglasses Brands?

Despite these plentiful risks, Rebecca shares that according to research, only half of Americans are likely to wear sunglasses near a water body. Whether due to ignorance of the threat or carelessness, there are ramifications for chronically skipping the sunglasses. To avoid contributing to the statistic, you can invest in a pair of well-made sunglasses. Rheos is one of these brands — their floatable lenses provide 100% UV protection and polarization. Rebecca describes, “We created a collection of eyewear built specifically for the water, so you can spend time doing what you love on the boat or dock without worrying about losing your shades. Your sunglasses should protect you and not the other way around.”

Another brand dedicated to sun protection on the water is Flying Fisherman. The glasses are designed specifically for fishing and boating. Flying Fisherman products have trademarked AcuTint lenses that eliminate reflective glare and add contrast and clarity to your vision. They also block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Vice president, Linda Sheldon, adds, “For 35 years, the biggest thing we’re known for is offering quality, affordable, polarized eyewear… we offer an excellent product for a very reasonable price.” Their glasses are available in 50 different styles for women, men, and kids. One of their kids’ styles, The Buoy, was featured in the Wall Street Journal.

By investing in a high-quality pair of sunglasses, you’re investing in long-term skin and eye care. And you’ll look fabulous doing it!

Sun Protection Series #1: All You Need to Know About Sunscreen When at the Lake

Posted on May 28, 2020June 7, 2021 Camille Smith

As lake dwellers, we’ve all experienced a painful sunburn. While it’s no big deal to treat most sunburns at home with moisturizer and aloe vera, it’s best to reduce your burns because chronic, unprotected sun exposure can be dangerous. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. To highlight the importance of sun protection on the lake, we’re launching a four-part blog series on this topic, beginning with a spotlight on sunscreen. To learn more about using sunscreen properly at the lake, we connected with Dr. Rina Allawh at Montgomery Dermatology near Philadelphia, PA, and Dr. Todd Minars from Minars Dermatology in Hollywood, FL. These dermatologists lent us their expert advice on the essentials of sun protection for lake lovers like us.

What is SPF?

We’ve all seen this acronym on sunscreen bottles, but do we really know what it means? First, SPF stands for Sun Protective Factor, and it measures a product’s degree of protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. There are two types of UV — UVA rays which penetrate deeper and cause the skin to age and UVB rays that are surface-level and cause the skin to burn. To filter out this harmful light, SPF was created. It’s available in two broad categories: chemical and physical. While chemical sunscreens contain organic compounds that absorb UV rays when they enter the skin, physical sunscreens include mineral compounds which sit on top of the skin and scatter and reflect UV rays. Both have costs and benefits. Recent studies suggest that some chemical sunscreen can be absorbed into the blood, but Dr. Allawh clarifies that there are currently no studies linking sunscreen to cancer. Regardless of which type of sunscreen you choose, the most crucial factor is simply using it. Dr. Minars emphasizes this importance: “Quite literally, applying sunscreen with SPF is the best anti-aging and skin care preventative step a person can take.”

What SPF Should I Use?

Dr. Allawh’s patients frequently ask her whether a high-numbered SPF is better. The answer depends less on the SPF and more on one’s application. She comments, “Many individuals purchase a higher SPF in hopes that they don’t have to reapply. In reality, a high-number SPF does not mean you can spend additional time outdoors unprotected. Reapplication is essential, especially after being in the water.” Although a higher SPF number does not protect your skin longer, it does have slightly more coverage from the sun’s UVB rays. For instance, SPF 30 blocks 97% of these rays, and higher numbers will provide 98% coverage and above. However, Dr. Allawh adds, “No sunscreen, in reality, can block 100% of the sun’s rays.” Finally, when picking out a sunscreen, make sure that the term “broad spectrum” is on the label, demonstrating that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. And don’t forget to check the expiration date!

How Much Should I Apply?

Dr. Allawh recommends applying a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen to the entire face daily. If you’re spending time outside on the lake, she recommends applying one shot glass amount of sunscreen to your exposed skin. Although it’s a common practice to only reach for the sunscreen when it’s sunny outside, it’s just as important to wear SPF on cloudy or overcast days. Especially between the hours of 10am-2pm, the sun’s rays are exceptionally strong, and it’s critical to apply the recommended amount of SPF. Dr. Allawh says, “a helpful tip I recommend to my patients: When your shadow is shorter than you are… seek shade!”

What Products Should I Use?

The answer to this question depends on your skin features and whether your goal is repair or protection. For everyday use, while lounging on your boat dock, Dr. Minars suggests a rub-on SPF sunscreen like Neutrogena Beach Defense. Its 80-minute water resistance is ideal for lake environments. If your skin is sensitive or acne-prone, Dr. Allawh suggests products that are light and non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t block your pores) such as Elta MD UV Clear, LaRoche Posay Anthelios, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch. She notes that “they have a nice buildable texture which is ideal for applying before any make-up.” If you’ve already accumulated skin damage from years enjoying the sun, it isn’t too late. Dr. Minars recommends AlphaRet cream products from Skinbetter Science for skin repair. Although this product is less potent than a dermatologist’s prescription, their key ingredients of retinoid and lactic acid rejuvenate and repair the skin.

In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for more blog posts in our Sun Protection Series. For now, apply some sunscreen and get outdoors!