The Cancer Council in Australia suggests that darker colours absorb UV rays, which helps block them from your skin. That's why dark blue, black, and dark red are the best colours for sun protection compared to white or pastel colours of the same fabric.
In today's video, we're diving into a fascinating study from the National Institute of Environmental Studies in Japan that reveals the best colors to wear in the heat to keep you cool. The results? White, yellow, and light gray are the shades you need to beat the heat!
The most cooling color to wear in the summer is typically light colors, particularly white and pastels. These colors reflect sunlight rather than absorb it, helping to keep you cooler. Light shades of blue, green, and yellow can also be good options.
All those UV rays that get absorbed into the black fabric do get re-emitted out eventually as heat, IR rays. So black clothing is worse for heat protection. White clothing is guaranteed to bounce out more of the sunlight's overall energy into the outer environment.
OPT FOR LIGHT COLORS
Light colors like white, beige, pastel and pale tones are the best choices for staying cool during heat waves. These colors reflect sunlight rather than absorbing it, reducing the heat felt on your body. So opt for tops and dresses in light tones to stay comfortably cool.
Dark or bright colors
Darker colors, such as blue or black, absorb more UV rays than lighter shades like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. But bright colors, like red, can also absorb UV rays.
Dark colors like black, dark brown, deep navy, and charcoal gray absorb more sunlight and heat than lighter shades. This absorption can make you feel hotter and less comfortable in high temperatures. Dark-colored clothing tends to trap heat close to the body.
While you're getting over a bad burn, dark-colored clothing is your best friend. Remember the old trick of wearing white to look more tan? Well, it also makes you look more sunburned. Tight clothes will rub on your burn and create blisters, while skimpy skirts and tops will expose your burn to more sun.
Light colored clothing reflects most of the visible wavelengths which, in turn, absorbs less heat. On the contrary, darker or black clothing absorbs more wavelengths, absorbing more heat, hence making the clothing warmer to wear.
Of all colours tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best colour to wear in the sun. Contrary to the popular belief that they are the coolest colours in the sun, white and yellow were the worst performing colours in terms of UV protection. So why is this the case?
Sidhu and colleagues found that black and red clothing produced the highest ratings of body attractiveness and slimmer body size judgments. In contrast, grey and green clothes produced the lowest body attractiveness and highest body size assessments.
1. White. It's no surprise white came up as the color that stayed the coolest from the results. Temperature readings showed the surfaces of the white shirts wavered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably low compared to the 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the dark green shirts.
Nylon: Designed to repel water, it's fine if you're working out, but it also retains odor, can cause chafing, and isn't breathable at all, so nylon isn't a great option for everyday summer wear. Fleece: Another synthetic, made-for-cold-weather fabric designed to keep you warm. Satin: It's smooth, but not breathable.
Choose light colors: Wearing light colors that reflect the sun's rays rather than absorb them (as dark colors can) helps keep you cool. Look for shirts, shorts, pants and hats in white, tan or khaki.
Whites, off-whites, light grays, and pastel shades of pink, yellow, blue, and green reflect the sun's rays away from your body better than darker colors. These lighter colors don't absorb as much UV light, so wearing them means less exposure for your skin.
Choose dark and intense colors for sun protection
A study conducted in Spain found that fabrics with darker or more intense colors tended to have better UV radiation protection than lighter colors. Of all colors tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best color to wear in the sun.
When it comes to colour, most people wear white in the summer – because white reflects the sun's rays, rather than absorbing the light like black does.
To help protect your skin from the sun, dermatologists recommend wearing the following items: Lightweight and long-sleeved shirts and pants. It's important to cover up as much of your skin as possible when spending time outdoors. When selecting clothing, avoid fabrics with a loose or open weave, such as lace.
Using different types of protection (shade or clothing plus sunscreen) is the best way to reduce sun exposure and the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Seek shade — Areas that are shaded receive less UV radiation and can reduce your chances of developing a sunburn.
1. White. It's no surprise white came up as the color that stayed the coolest from the results. Temperature readings showed the surfaces of the white shirts wavered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably low compared to the 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the dark green shirts.
Outer layers should be lightweight, breathable fabric to avoid trapping heat in and allowing sweat to evaporate. Lighter colors – tan or khaki, for instance – also help reflect heat rather than absorb it, which helps keep you cooler, too. The fabric should also be selected to wick moisture away from the body.