UV Sun Protection

No Chemicals Used to Achieve UPF Rating
Aqua Design UPF rating is certified by a US-based lab and attained without the use of secondary chemicals applied to our high-quality fabrics. Due to this advancement in technology, our knitting and weaving mills are able to achieve a UPF barrier as result of this innovative production process.

UPF vs. SPF
UPF is an abbreviation for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This rating system is used to measure the effectiveness of fabric to protect skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation. For example, a UPF rating of 40 will allow only 1/40th of the sun's harmful rays to penetrate the textile. A rating of 40 or higher is considered excellent, blocking 97 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.

SPF, typically associated with sunscreen, is short for Sun Protection Factor. This measurement determines the length of time it takes for redness to occur as a result of sun exposure. If applied correctly, a sunscreen rated at SPF 15 will protect 15 times longer than unprotected skin. This amounts to approximately 93 percent of UVB rays. Some experts believe that no sunscreen should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication. Sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB radiation is preferred.

UVA and UVB
Simply stated, UVA exposure contributes to premature aging by damaging the skin's elasticity. Perhaps 90 percent of wrinkles, age spots, and visible signs of aging occur as result of the sun's harmful UVA rays which penetrates the skin more deeply. The carcinogenic effects of UVB rays are believed to cause tanning which is the skin's natural defense against the sun. Unfortunately, it is believed that UVB contributes to the development of skin cancer.
Want to know more? Check out this page from Climate.gov: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Don’t feel the burn, avoid it!

UPF Chart

Protection	UPF Ratings	Approximate UV Blocked
Good UV Protection	15 - 29	93 - 96%
Very Good UV Protection	30 - 50	96 - 97%
Excellent UV Protection	50+	98 - 99%

Disclaimer
The content at www.aquadesign.com is provided for general information only and is not intended to be utilized as advice, to diagnose or provide care. If you have questions concerning your health, seek the advice of a physician or your healthcare professional.

You understand and agree that you are responsible for your own actions and exposure to nature’s elements, including but not limited to the potential impact of prolonged exposure to the sun. You should take reasonable care and preventative measures to decrease prolonged exposure to the sun. Aqua Design’s products cannot protect you from any and all conditions and you must act in a reasonable manner given your individual risks to prolonged exposure to the sun. You understand and agree that you know your own risks regarding sun exposure and that you will not attempt to hold Aqua Design liable in any and all respects related to your failure to reasonably limit your exposure to the sun.