How Do Swim Shirts and Sunscreen Compare?
Reported cases of skin cancer are on the rise even though many other forms of cancer are declining. Are swim shirts or sunscreen the best solution when one is looking for both comfort and the best protection from UV rays?
Sunscreen bonds with the skin and provides for maximum flexibility and motion. There are no issues of a shirt causing drag in the water or creating excess heat or restricting movement while on land. It is actually possible to forget that sun lotion has been applied to the body.
When it comes to covering all skin surfaces, shirts cannot compete with sunscreen. If used conscientiously, lotion can cover ears, hands and be applied partially underneath clothes for a continuous barrier. Even with long-sleeve shirts, hands are not covered and skin around the waist is often accidentally exposed.
The safety of the method used is also a factor in making a choice. Research has shown that popular sunscreens contain toxins and other chemicals that can affect hormone production. On the other hand, swim shirts treated to provide UV protection do not pass these ingredients on to the body.
Though somewhat obvious, swim shirts do not wash off. Many sunscreens claim to be water resistant, but the durability of shirts is guaranteed. With children, lack of a shirt is easily identified while the presence of lotion can be undetectable.
While hot days and athletic activity can make a shirt uncomfortable to wear, cool days and cool water make the extra layer a welcome insulator. The material dries very quickly, so the chilling affect of evaporation is brief. These shirts can actually be worn throughout the day.
Sunscreens can be blended with ingredients that help heal and renew the skin. There is thus a double benefit of being protected from the sun and having dry and damaged skin repaired at the same time. As an alternative, skin cream could be used under a swim shirt, though this would mean an additional step and product.
The constant re-application of sunscreen can cause a family to go through a lot of product in a short amount of time. Consequently, trips to the store for more product add up quickly. The lifespan of a swim shirt can can extend for years if wear is average and care instructions are followed.
For verifiable and safe protection from the sun’s rays, UV swim shirts are a better choice. In turn, sunscreen does provide complete coverage as well as ingredients that can soothe and heal sun-damaged skin. Using both together with a small amount of overlap is perhaps the most effective approach for fast application with the least risk of a gap in protection.
