Children’s skin requires extra protection because they are especially at risk:
- the majority of lifetime sun damage occurs before the age of 18.
- Baby’s skin in particular is not protected by melanin; until the age of 15 the skin has not fully achieved the capability for self-pigmentation.
- Research has show that even one blistering sunburn in childhood can double a person's lifetime chances of skin cancer.
Recent quantitative market research in the UK has shown that consumers recognize the link between exposure of the skin to the sun and the incidence of skin cancer. However, around 70% believe normal summer weight cotton clothing will provide adequate protection against the sun’s harmful rays. Clearly this is not the case and it is an important misconception that needs to be addressed particularly for children’s wear. Treating these fabrics with High IQ® Sun Protection for Kids with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ will prevent harmful rays from reaching and burning the skin. Garments qualifying for the High IQ Sun Protection for Kids will provide the wearer with the highest level of protection against the sun's UV-A and UV-B rays.
Further information may be obtained from the following sites:
The Skin Cancer Foundation
The Hohenstein Institutes:
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety agency