Swim Shirts Versus Sunscreen for UV Protection

Cases of melanoma continue to rise even as the cases of many other cancer types are in decline. If one is seeking safe and comfortable protection from the sun’s rays, should they opt for a swim shirt or sunscreen as the better alternative?

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.

Sunscreen provides the most thorough coverage of areas exposed to the sun. If applied liberally according to instructions, it can protect fingers, ears, and surfaces underneath clothing that may be exposed. Shirts do not cover hands and can pull up causing areas around the waist to receive direct sunlight.

The health and safety of the actual product is an important consideration. Commercial sunscreens contain toxins that can irritate skin and affect hormone production, placing children at particular risk. While most swim shirts are treated for UV protection, they do not expose the skin to potentially dangerous chemicals.

Swim shirts leave no doubt that sun protection is in place. However, if lotion washes off the skin, there is little or no indication to the user that they are at risk. This is particularly important when monitoring children playing in the sun.

As a sweltering summer day may make a shirt less inviting, likewise a cool day at the beach will make the extra insulation a welcome friend. Swim shirts are functional on land and in the water and dry very quickly. They can be worn all day and placed in the laundry like regular clothing.

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.

UV-treated swim shirts are a safer and more reliable bet for sun protection. In turn, sunscreen can cover hard to reach areas like a true second skin and provide skin care at the same time. A combination of the two with slight overlap can provide a fast and effective solution with the smallest chance for gaps in coverage.

Robert Mann is a published writer and Web designer living in California. For healthy living, he has created sites dedicated to organic food and organic gardening.