The Scoop on UV Sun Protective Hats

Sun protection hats or UV protective hats, are your best chance to have UV protection against the sun's ultraviolet rays or ultraviolet radiation.

These sun hats which are also known as UV protective hats, not only protect your face but also your head and neck.

While you practice sun safety, you help in keeping your scalp, ears, face and neck from developing skin cancer.

Why do you need to wear a sun protective hat?

When you go out in the sun, your head and neck area are wide open to the damaging effects of the UV rays or UV radiation.

• Your skin alone can not protect you.

• A regular light hat can not protect you.

• A regular baseball cap can not protect you.

• A loosely woven straw hat can not protect you.

• UV sunglasses alone aren’t enough.

You need to wear a wide brimmed sun protection hat that is rated UPF 50 plus for maximum UV blockage.

What is an appropriate UPF rating?

Normally the sun protection fabrics are rated by the UPF number. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.

So the higher the UPF rating the higher the UV protection will be.

A UPF 50+ rating in sun hats and sun protective clothing, is the highest available - which translates into a 98% blockage of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Which type is better?

For added sun protection and comfort consider the following,

• Lightweight and Breathable fabrics are better

• Widest brim with a full veil or drape in the back is better

• For reducing UV reflections, under brim dark color is better

• Elastic cord or adjustable headband is better

How do you measure your head before buying a Sun Protection Hat?

Simply use a cloth measuring tape which is flexible and won’t scratch your forehead. By going once around your head right above your ears will give you the circumference of your head.

Or

A long piece of unwaxed dental floss or thread and go around your head once and cut it. Then measure the cut piece flat using a measuring tape or a ruler.

Use the Merchant’s sizing chart accordingly and match your measurement to their hat size.

A Sun Protection Hat may be one size fits all, where you adjust it by the headband.