Why should you buy a men's hooded sun shirt? If you're stocking up on summer-wear, take a look at what you need to know about this type of sun-protective clothing.

What Is a Sun-Protective Shirt?

As the name implies, a sun-protective shirt provides protection against the sun's rays. While the sunscreen you put on your skin has an SPF (or sun protective factor), the clothing you wear is measured with a UPF (or ultraviolet protective factor). The UPF number equals how much ultraviolet (UV) radiation the fabric blocks from reaching the skin underneath it.

Along with a UPF coating or factor, the fabric in a sun-protective shirt may stop risky rays in other ways. The color, construction, fit, coverage, and material content can contribute to the amount of overall protection the shirt offers.

Why Choose a Sun Protective Shirt?

Now that you know what a sun-protective shirt is, it's time to learn more about the advantages of this type of item. While a UPF-containing or another sun shirt won't stop 100 percent of UV rays from reaching your skin, it can significantly decrease exposure.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UV exposure over time is a risk factor for the development of skin cancer. Without the proper protection, the sun's rays can damage your skin. This includes the skin under your regular clothing. While an SPF-containing sunscreen product can block some of the UV rays, it won't completely help the skin under your clothing. The addition of a sun protective hooded shirt provides an extra layer of protection.

What Type of Sun Protective T-Shirt Should You Choose?

Sun protective clothing isn't all the same. Again, the UPF number, the color, and the fabric makeup all contribute to the amount of protection a shirt offers. To reduce the risks and protect your skin, select a high UPF shirt in a dark or bright color. The deep hue will help to absorb some of the sun's rays. A denser fabric weave will also do more to stop UV light from reaching your skin.

The design of a hooded t-shirt adds another dimension to the sun-protective factor. The more fabric the shirt is made from, the greater the coverage. A sun protective hooded shirt has the potential to keep potentially cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays away from your chest, arms, neck, and head — provided you wear the hood.

Reach out to a clothing provider to learn more.