UV Protection

Skin cancer is now the most common type of cancer in the UK and the incidence of both malignant melanomas and non-melanoma skin cancers is continuing to double every twenty years. Melanoma is now the most common cancer in young people aged between 12-24 years (Cancer Research UK).

Over exposure to harsh sun during childhood and adolescence can lead to the development of melanomas and non-melanoma. Despite the fact the sun’s rays are getting stronger as a result of climate change and the thinning ozone layer, much of this increase is behaviourally driven with four out of five cases of skin cancer being preventable by sensible behaviour, especially during childhood.

Providing your child with the best sun protection is absolutely essential as children’s skin is thinner, far more sensitive and can be damaged much more easily. Therefore it is imperative that all children should practice safe sun care, wear children’s protective swimwear / clothing and apply plenty of water resistant sun block on exposed areas whilst playing in the sun.

Sunuva’s new children’s beachwear range couldn’t have come at a better time - offering stylish UV sun-protective kids clothing and helping you make sure that your kids look great on the beach whilst being safe in the sun. Sunuva’s founders, Emily and Sabrina, who are mums themselves, also strongly recommend keeping your kids out of the sun between twelve and three in the afternoon when the sun is at its harshest.

Sunuva’s rash vests are made from Italian fabric providing 50+ UPF for your kids. UPF is a measure of the UV Protection Factor given to the skin by a fabric. A UPF rating of 50+ gives excellent UV protection, blocking out 97.5% - 98% of the sun’s rays. The high quality fabric used also meets the stringent and highly respected Australian and New Zealand sun protection guidelines (AS/NZS 4399:1966).

Recent research has shown that children whose parents follow sun protective behaviours are more likely to practice sun protection themselves. This is well understood by school teachers and childcare experts who know that patterns taught to children from an early pre or infant school age are more likely to be kept up throughout adulthood (Sunsmart). By ensuring your children get into the habit of wearing their children's protective swimwear by giving them a style that they love and want to wear, you will be helping them to develop the right habits for their future health.