UV-STOP
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Plastic is widely used in everyday life, for example in windows, garden furniture, canopies and conservatories. It often gives a sense of shelter, but that does not automatically mean that your skin is fully protected against UV radiation. This is because UV light does not only come from direct sunlight; it can also pass through materials to some extent or be reflected. In this article, we explain the extent to which plastic offers protection against UV radiation and why this varies from situation to situation.
There are various types of plastic, each with its own properties. Consequently, not every type of plastic offers the same level of protection against UV radiation.
In practice, this means that transparent or thin plastic often offers less protection than you might expect. For example, you can still feel the sun’s rays behind a transparent plastic canopy or in a conservatory. This is because UV radiation can partly pass through the material or still reach your skin via reflection.
The extent to which plastic blocks UV radiation varies depending on the material. The type of plastic, its thickness and any treatments it has undergone play a significant role in this. It depends entirely on the type of plastic, its thickness and any treatments the material has undergone.
Plastic is often used to provide comfort in everyday life. Think of a veranda where you can sit out of the wind, a patio canopy in the garden or plastic windows in a conservatory. It feels sheltered and more pleasant, which makes you more likely to assume that your skin is also protected.
However, UV radiation can still be present in these situations. This is particularly true if you stay in the same spot for a long time. In such cases, your skin may be exposed to sunlight without you realising it. The same applies to car windows and other transparent materials. Whilst these often reduce glare, they do not always block UV light completely.
Plastic does not offer complete protection against UV radiation in every situation. It therefore remains important to protect your skin properly, even in sheltered areas. Sun cream forms an important basis for this, but during longer days outdoors, it is not always easy to reapply protection in good time.
In such cases, clothing can be a practical addition to your sun protection. With UV-STOP Protection Wash, you can make ordinary clothing UV-resistant up to UPF 50+. This gives the fabric an extra protective function during daily outdoor activities, even when you’re sitting under a canopy or in other sheltered areas.
Plastic can often provide comfort and shelter, but it is no guarantee of complete protection against UV radiation. The level of protection depends heavily on the material and the circumstances.
By bearing this in mind, you can better assess when extra sun protection is needed. It is precisely during ordinary moments outdoors – such as having a cup of coffee on a terrace, working in the garden or relaxing under a canopy – that your skin can still be exposed to UV radiation without you realising it straight away.
Being mindful of these moments helps to protect your skin better, all year round.
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UV-STOP
Does plastic block UV radiation?
That depends on the type of plastic. Some plastics block more UV radiation than others. The level of protection varies depending on the material, its thickness and any treatments applied.
Does a plastic canopy protect against UV radiation?
A plastic canopy provides shelter, but that does not automatically mean that all UV radiation is blocked. The level of protection depends on the material used.
Can UV radiation pass through plastic?
Yes, some types of plastic allow some UV radiation to pass through. In addition, UV radiation can also be reflected, meaning your skin is still exposed to sunlight.
Is sun protection necessary under a plastic canopy?
If you spend a long time under a plastic canopy or in a conservatory, it is wise to be mindful of UV radiation. Shelter alone does not always provide complete protection.
How can you better protect your skin against UV radiation?
A combination of sun cream and protective clothing helps to better protect your skin. With UV-STOP Protection Wash, you can make ordinary clothing UV-resistant up to UPF 50+, making it a practical addition for everyday outdoor activities.
Why does a spot under plastic still feel safe?
Plastic often provides shelter from wind, rain and bright sunlight. This makes the sun seem less intense, whilst UV radiation may still be present in some situations. That is precisely why it is wise to be mindful of sun protection even in sheltered areas.