Shopping Tip: Ecostinger Suits EcoStinger Sun Protection Clothing is UPF50+ certified by ARPANSA. Italian made swimwear fabric, chlorine resistant, quick drying, optimum breathability, exceptionally durable. www.ecostinger.com

Watch out when you go swimming outdoors. Water reflects over 80% of the sun's light, so you get hit with 180% (direct and indirect) sunlight. Comfy swim suits can save your skin.

Slip! Slap! Slop!

The American Cancer Society recommends a 3-prong approach to sun protection with their "Slip! Slap! Slop!" campaign.


1. "slip" on clothes made of tightly woven fabrics.
2. "slap" on 15+SPF sunscreen to protect your face.
3. "slop" on a hat or hood that shades your face, neck and ears.
   
   Now you're ready for swimming or splashing fun on the beach for extended periods.

Any tan is skin damage

Getting a tan is really not a good idea. Tanning exposes you to skin damage, cancer, and aging. The thinning ozone layer puts you at increased risk. Sunburn can lead to deadly skin cancer. It's cumulative and will not be forgiven by your skin. There is an epidemic of Melanoma with increasing numbers of patients diagnosed with this cancer.

By age 18 most people have already absorbed 80% of their lifetime allowance of UV radiation. Especially children should learn to swim in clothes to protect their softer skin. Scars during healing need protection from the sun. During the "red" phase, a tan acquired may not fade like surrounding skin. This can leave a permanent dark scar.

Encouraging Signs

A 2005 Academy survey of 1,013 adults age 18 and older found that most people (62 percent) report that they always or often wear protective clothing when they are going to be outdoors for a long period of time, an encouraging sign that points to an increased awareness of the dangers of sun exposure.

Clearly, people are hearing the message that a tan is the skin's response to injury and are using clothing as a means to protect themselves.

In Australia, sun protection has become very important. There isn't much ozone left over that country, so it is easy to get sunburned. A few years ago, the cancer council started making sun protecion clothing for everyone especially kids, as kids skin gets burned faster than adults skin. Thin cotton clothing does not always provide adequate levels of sun protection.