Cases of melanoma continue to rise even as the cases of many other cancer types are in decline. If one is seeking safe and comfortable protection from the sun’s rays, should they opt for a swim shirt or sunscreen as the better alternative?

Sunscreen forms a true second skin on the body allowing for freedom of movement. There is no need to worry about the drag from clothing while in the water or overheating during exercise and activity on land. One can easily forget that there is any protective layer on the skin at all.

From a coverage standpoint, sunscreen also wins out over the shirts. Given a thorough application, lotion can cover hands, fingers, and extend beneath clothes with a seamless barrier. Shirts leave hands permanently exposed and can inadvertently allow exposure around the waist.

The health and safety of the actual product is an important consideration. Commercial sunscreens contain toxins that can irritate skin and affect hormone production, placing children at particular risk. While most swim shirts are treated for UV protection, they do not expose the skin to potentially dangerous chemicals.

Though somewhat obvious, swim shirts do not wash off. Many sunscreens claim to be water resistant, but the durability of shirts is guaranteed. With children, lack of a shirt is easily identified while the presence of lotion can be undetectable.

While hot days and athletic activity can make a shirt uncomfortable to wear, cool days and cool water make the extra layer a welcome insulator. The material dries very quickly, so the chilling affect of evaporation is brief. These shirts can actually be worn throughout the day.

Many sun lotions carry extra ingredients to help repair damaged skin. Protection from the sun and the renewal of dry or burned skin take place simultaneously. Swim shirts on their own do not provide this added benefit, though skincare products can always be purchased and applied underneath the shirt.

The constant re-application of sunscreen can cause a family to go through a lot of product in a short amount of time. Consequently, trips to the store for more product add up quickly. The lifespan of a swim shirt can can extend for years if wear is average and care instructions are followed.

Finding best products is not always an “A” or “B” decision. UV-treated swim shirts are a safer and more reliable bet for sun protection. In turn, sunscreen can cover hard to reach areas like a true second skin and provide skin care at the same time. A combination of the two with slight overlap can provide a fast and effective solution with the smallest chance for gaps in coverage.

To further explore a wide variety of UV swim shirts and UV clothing, visit http://www.swimshirtsanduvclothing.com

Tags: family, health, Skin Care, sun protection