Denim and wool, not sunscreen, offer best protection against the sun

A new research has found that fabrics such as denim and wool give the best protection against the sun's rays.

London, May 3 : A new research has found that fabrics such as denim and wool give the best protection against the sun's rays.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the Triemli Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, has also established that the customary summer textiles such as cotton and linen are much less effective.

The Swiss research, published online by the Lancet, reassessed 500 studies from all over the world on how people protect their skin and they found that sunscreen lotions are the least effective alternative.

The team of researchers said that skin covering clothes plus hats and staying away from the sun was the best way to shield oneself from the harmful rays.

Apart from linen and cotton, which are less effective, light-coloured and wet fabrics also present low levels of protection.

"Of course it can't be recommended to wear woollen fabrics on the beach. But it should be kept in mind that not every shirt blocks the UV radiation sufficiently," the BBC quoted lead researcher Dr Stephen Lautenshlager, as saying.

Writing in the Lancet, the team reported that, while covering up and staying out of the sun may be the top option, it is "deemed to be unacceptable in our global, outdoor society".

While pointing towards the popularity of sunscreens, the researchers also said that people who do not apply sunscreen in a "liberal quantity" and at regular intervals already expose themselves to the sun.

"Sunscreens could become the predominant mode of sun protection for various societal reasons, for example healthiness of a tan, relaxation in the sun. Sunscreens should not be abused in an attempt to increase time in the sun to a maximum," the authors wrote.

Dr Kat Arney, Cancer Research UK's senior science information officer confirmed the findings of the study.

"Our SunSmart Campaign has always said that sunscreen is the last line of defence in protecting skin against the sun's harmful rays. Many people do not use sunscreen properly and do not reapply it regularly and after swimming. Some believe sunscreen is an invisible shield that will give them carte blanche to lie out in the sun all day," Dr. Arney said.

ANI