UV-STOP
Reading time: 3 minutes
You often see SPF on sunscreen, but what exactly is it and what does it mean? We explain what SPF is, what SPF stands for and what SPF means for protecting your skin. You can also read about how it relates to UVA and UVB radiation, so you can better understand how sun protection works.
SPF is an abbreviation for Sun Protection Factor. It indicates how well a product protects your skin against UVB radiation. This is the type of UV radiation that causes sunburn and can cause long-term damage to the skin.
SPF mainly refers to how long you remain protected before your skin would burn compared to unprotected skin. With SPF 30, you can, in theory, stay in the sun thirty times longer without burning than without protection. However, it is not an exact calculation, as factors such as skin type, sun strength, sweating and swimming have an influence.
When considering what SPF means, it is important to know that the sun emits two types of radiation: UVA and UVB. UVB radiation is primarily responsible for sunburn. SPF indicates how well your skin is protected against this.
UVA radiation works differently. These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and can contribute to skin ageing and pigmentation. They are also present all year round, even when it is cloudy or when you do not feel direct sunlight.
SPF provides good protection, but in practice people often apply too little or not often enough. Sweating, swimming or clothing that rubs against the skin causes the effect to wear off more quickly. As a result, people think they are protected, when in fact the protection has already partially worn off.
This is where UV-protective clothing comes in handy. With UV-STOP Protection Wash, you can give your own clothing an extra layer of protection against UV radiation. This means you don’t have to keep reapplying sunscreen and you are still protected for long periods of time, even when you don’t think about it.
Whether you are spending a day at the beach, working in the garden or going for a walk, the sun emits UV rays all year round, even when it is cloudy. By combining sunscreen with SPF and clothing treated with UV-STOP, you can protect your skin much more effectively against both UVB and UVA rays.
This means you don’t have to apply sunscreen as often, you avoid accidental exposure and you give your skin a safe base.
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UV-STOP
What is SPF and what does SPF stand for?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It indicates how well a product protects your skin against UVB radiation. This is the radiation that causes sunburn.
Does SPF also protect against UVA radiation?
SPF only measures protection against UVB radiation. UVA radiation works differently and penetrates deeper into the skin. That is why it is important to look for additional protection, such as UV-resistant clothing, in addition to SPF.
Is sun protection necessary on cloudy days?
Yes, UV radiation is still present when it is cloudy. You may feel the sun less, but your skin is still exposed to UVA and UVB radiation. This makes it important to protect your skin from the sun. UV-STOP Protection Wash gives your clothing a UV-resistant effect. This is a good addition to sunscreen.
Why is SPF alone sometimes not enough?
In practice, sunscreen is often applied too thinly or not reapplied often enough. Sweating, swimming or friction from clothing cause it to lose its effectiveness more quickly.
How can clothing help protect against the sun?
Treating clothing with UV-STOP Protection Wash gives the fabric extra UV protection, which is a nice addition to sunscreen.