It has been estimated that the lifetime risk of developing malignant melanoma skin cancer in the UK is 1 in 91 for men and 1 in 77 for women.
One of the best ways to reduce that risk on the golf course is to use specially designed clothing that offers high UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and Sunderland of Scotland leads the way in the development of this new generation of ‘sunsafe’ apparel.The company has been working with skin experts and fabric manufacturers and its superb UV Shirts Collection for 2010 uses natural fabric technology derived from coconut shells – the Cocona™ fabric providing up to 50UPF depending on colour and construction.
With activated carbon embedded in its yarns and fibres, Cocona™ fabric absorbs harmful UVA and UVB radiation. And because there is no chemical treatment applied to the fabric, there are no negative effects on the skin to worry about.
As well as outstanding sun protection, the Cocona™ used in Sunderland’s UV Shirts helps move moisture away from the skin and speed up the fabric drying time when it gets wet – itself a significant factor in any clothing’s ability to give sun protection.
Sunderland marketing director, Brian Mair, says: “All clothes can protect your skin against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays – but not all clothing is created equal. The tightness of the weave, the weight, type of fibre, colour and fabric performance all affect the amount of protection they provide.
“For instance, a cheap white t-shirt may only provide a UPF of only 7 and this can reduce to just 3 when it gets wet. When a fabric stretches during movement, its UPF ability is also reduced – so investing in a Sunderland UV golf shirt does make a significant difference, especially for those golfers who regularly travel to warm locations to play like Spain, Portugal and Florida.”
Sunderland’s outstanding UV Shirts are available in short (RRP £50) and long-sleeved designs (RRP £60), in sizes S-XXL and with a total of 10 eye-catching colour designs.
Around 48,000 new cases of melanoma occur each year in the EU, with the highest rates for the fairer-skinned north Europeans.
Sunderland of Scotland www.sunderlandgolf.com