Sun Safe Polos Make Sun Protection a No-Brainer

(RELEASE) - May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and with sunny summer days just around the corner, golfers, in particular, need to get serious about sun protection. “It's not just the sun that makes golfing so hazardous: features on the golf course, like water in ponds and sand in bunkers, can reflect UV radiation back at you so that it hits your skin a second time. There is a real need to educate golfers on the dangers of long-term sun exposure,” Dr. Sapna Palep MD from Dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York said.

You may think you’re protected by slathering on some sunblock to the parts of your body that are exposed, but if you think your skin is protected while you’re wearing your favorite white shirt, think again. Most light-colored light-weight fabrics only give you 5-10 UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), this means up to 95% of the sun’s UV rays penetrate right through your clothing leaving the skin you thought was covered, exposed.

“Every dermatologist would agree that the odds are even worse for golfers. In one study, professional golfers received on average an estimated 217 times the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation needed to cause a sunburn over the course of a year. Recreational golfers are at risk too, since every hour they can receive 3.5 to 5.4 times the amount of UV radiation exposure needed to cause sunburn,” Dr. Palep said.

A brand new Miami-based luxury golf apparel brand, 2-DG, is making sun protection effortless by giving their clothes 50+ UPF protection. Dr. Palep says your first line of defense from skin cancer is your clothing. “Of course, sunblock creams or sprays clearly have their benefits on areas of the body where clothing cannot cover. On the other hand, the easiest and most comfortable way to achieve protection is to wear UV protective clothing.”

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It’s also one of the most preventable forms of cancer and highly treatable when detected early. 2-DG founder, Shail Shah, says with the knowledge and technology we have now, clothes can be so much more than just stylish. “Our clients love being active and they love the outdoors because 2-DG was created in order to help fund the Lampidis Cancer Foundation, we wanted to make sure our clients could rest easy knowing their skin is protected while wearing 2-DG,” Shah said.

According to the CDC, unprotected skin can be damaged in as little as 15 minutes by the sun. “And just because it may be cloudy, doesn't mean you don't have to worry. Eighty percent of harmful UV rays penetrate clouds. Sun exposure is believed to cause 90 percent of all cases of skin cancer,” Dr. Palep said. So do yourself a favor and buy summer clothes that will keep you safe from the sun and stylish.