Difference between SPF & UPF

11 Mar.,2024

 

What is SPF?

SPF, or “Sun Protection Factor” is a measurement of the effectiveness of sunscreen. When learning about sun protection it’s hard to not come across this acronym at some point or another, but not many learn what it means. When skin is exposed to the sun, over time it will redden and SPF is a rating of the average amount of time it takes for this to occur. Sunburns can lead to many negative side effects, so choosing a high SPF for your child’s sunscreen is the safest choice during the hot weather months.

Outside of broad-spectrum sunscreens, SPF usually only accounts for UVB rays, and UPF relates to the protectiveness of fabrics chosen when safely spending time in the sun. When shopping for a child’s summertime wardrobe, it’s equally important to remind children of the importance of sunscreen to avoid sunburns and avoidable heat damage. Reima has a wide selection of UPF rated clothing perfect for helping protect against the sun’s powerful rays.

What is UPF?

UPF stands for “Ultraviolet Protection Factor” as it is a measurement of how much of the sun’s UV rays penetrate a garment’s fabric and makes contact with our skin. While SPF is commonly heard throughout the summer months, UPF comes up more often within the context of the textile industry. All fabrics have a designating UPF rating between 15-50 in regards to their level of sun protection. When looking at these ratings, it’s important to know that when looking at this rating, the higher the rating the better. For example, a rating of 50 would indicate that only 1/50th of the sun’s rays will penetrate the fabric and is much more protective than an item that has a UPF rating of 20.

UPF clothing with a high UPF rating allows children to fend off both UVA and UVB rays, which varies from SPF’s level of sun protection since SPF only defends against UVB rays. Many of Reima’s summer clothing collection is developed with high UPF ratings to ensure children can spend hours outside without the sun causing any issues down the line. When exploring UV sun protection clothing for babies and young ones, choose clothing with a UPF rating of at least 30 to 40, as this is the most optimal level of sun protection for children and adults alike.

When exploring the differences between UPF and SPF, there are benefits to utilizing both within any plan for spending time outdoors. UPF clothing allows kids to access more coverage as well as have fewer areas on the body to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours. Fabrics with high UPF ratings also do not require kids to worry about sweating away or washing off their sun protection. While SPF sunscreen is a crucial tool within any summer parent’s arsenal, choosing UPF clothing for children is a solid step toward keeping kids safe during hot weather conditions.

With high quality products and considerate service, we will work together with you to enhance your business and improve the efficiency. Please don't hesitate to contact us to get more details of One Piece UV Protection Swimsuit.