Guide to sun protection on golf courses: Protect your skin while playing golf
ChangWilson
On the golf course, sun protection is not an option but basic equipment. Golf is a sport that allows people to get close to nature, but the potential damage of ultraviolet rays to the skin and body caused by long-term exposure to the sun on the course cannot be ignored. Whether you are playing golf for fun or in a competition, you should pay attention to sun protection to ensure that your skin stays healthy while swinging. Here is a comprehensive guide to sun protection on the golf course.
The harm of ultraviolet rays to the body
Ultraviolet (UV) is an invisible solar radiation, which is divided into UVA, UVB and UVC according to wavelength. Among them, UVA and UVB have the most significant effects on the human body:
- UVA (long-wave ultraviolet rays): has strong penetrating power and can penetrate deep into the dermis of the skin. Even on cloudy days or behind glass, UVA can still reach the Earth's surface. It is primarily responsible for skin aging, wrinkling, and dull skin tone, hence the name “photoaging” UV rays. Long-term exposure may lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. Penetrates deep into the skin, causing aging, wrinkles and melanin deposition.
- UVB (ultraviolet B): has weak penetrating power and mainly affects the surface layer of the skin (epidermis). Prolonged exposure may cause sunburn and even increase the risk of skin cancer. In addition, the damage caused by ultraviolet rays to the eyes cannot be ignored, such as inducing cataracts or retinal problems. Therefore, when playing sports such as golf that involve long-term exposure to the sun, you should also pay attention to eye protection.
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characteristic
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UVA
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UVB
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wavelength
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320-400 nm
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290-320 nm
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Penetration Depth
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Deep into the dermis
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Acts on the epidermis
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Weather Impact
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Penetrates clouds and glass
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Clouds or glass can reduce intensity
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Main Impact
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Photoaging, wrinkles, melanin
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Sunburn, DNA damage
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harm
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Increased risk of skin cancer
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Increased risk of skin cancer
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The principle of sun protection
The core of sun protection is to block or reduce the penetration of ultraviolet rays into the skin. The current mainstream sun protection methods are divided into the following two types based on the principle:
- Physical sunscreen: forms a barrier on the skin surface to directly isolate or reflect and scatter ultraviolet rays. The common methods are as follows:
- Sunscreen: Use a sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (these ingredients are not absorbed by the skin and can reflect UV rays).
- Clothing: Sun-protective clothing blocks direct sunlight from reaching the skin. The combination of sun-protective clothing is a very important and effective sun protection measure!
- Chemical sunscreen: uses chemical components that absorb ultraviolet rays and convert them into harmless energy release.
Choosing the right sunscreen product can effectively reduce the direct damage of ultraviolet rays to the skin.
Sunscreen product selection criteria
A. Sunscreen
For long-term outdoor activities, if we use sunscreen for sun protection, we can choose products with high PFA and SPF values tested by authoritative organizations. For golf, it is recommended to use products with SPF50 / PA+++ or above standards.
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor): It is called sun protection factor in Chinese . It means that after using sunscreen products, the skin can withstand sunburn under ultraviolet rays for several times longer than without using sunscreen. Refers to the ability of sunscreen to block ultraviolet B (UVB).
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SPF value range
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UV blocking rate
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Suitable occasions
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SPF 15
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About 93%
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Daily activities, such as short walks outdoors or commuting
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SPF 30
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About 97%
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Moderate outdoor activities, such as sports or picnics
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SPF 50
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About 98%
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Prolonged outdoor activities, such as golf and mountain climbing
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SPF 50+
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More than 98%
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Strong UV environment, such as beach, snow
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- PA (Protection Grade of UVA): It is Japan’s rating standard for sunscreen products’ ability to protect against UVA (long-wave ultraviolet rays) , helping consumers understand the product’s protection against UVA. UVA is an important cause of skin photoaging (such as wrinkles, pigmentation) and long-term damage, so the PA label is one of the important indicators for evaluating sunscreen products.
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PA Level
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Protection strength
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Applicable scenarios
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UVA protection effect
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PA+
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Basic protection
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Daily commuting, short-term outdoor activities
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Can block a small amount of UVA, suitable for low UV environments
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PA++
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Medium protection
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Moderate outdoor activities, such as walking, shopping
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Provides some UVA protection, suitable for moderate sun exposure
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PA+++
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High strength protection
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Prolonged outdoor activities, such as golf and picnics
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Can effectively block most UVA, suitable for strong ultraviolet environment
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PA++++
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Extremely high protection
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High UV environments, such as beaches, snow, and high altitudes
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Almost completely blocks UVA, suitable for extreme sun conditions
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Summary: Protection against UVA and UVB is equally important, and ignoring UVA may lead to long-term skin damage. Choose products with SPF30 or above and PA+++ or broad-effect protection mark, and use physical sunscreen to truly protect your skin from photoaging and other potential hazards.
B. Sun protection clothing
Sun-protective clothing blocks direct sunlight from reaching the skin. The combination of sun-protective clothing is a very important and effective sun protection measure! When choosing sun-protective clothing, the UPF value is the key to determining the sun protection effect.
- UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor): A standard used to evaluate the ability of clothing to block ultraviolet rays, similar to the SPF value of sunscreen . It measures the protection of clothing against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). The higher the number, the stronger the ability to block ultraviolet rays.
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UPF value range
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UV blocking rate
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Protection level
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Features
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Suitable for scenes
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15-24
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93.3%-95.9%
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Basic protection
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Provides light UV protection and is suitable for low UV environments.
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Daily commuting, short-term outdoor activities
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25-39
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96.0%-97.4%
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Medium protection
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It can effectively block moderate UV rays and is suitable for activities with moderate sunlight intensity.
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Shopping, short trips
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40-50
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97.5%-98.0%
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Efficient protection
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Highly effective in blocking UV rays, suitable for long-term outdoor activities.
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Golf, mountain climbing, running and other outdoor sports
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50+
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More than 98.0%
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Excellent protection
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Almost completely blocks UV rays, suitable for high UV intensity or extreme environments.
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Beaches, snow, high altitude areas
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- Light-colored clothing has a lower UPF value, and sunlight can easily penetrate;
- Dark clothing absorbs UV rays, but transmittance may still exist.
From the comparison in the table below, ordinary cotton clothing worn daily provides some protection against UV rays, but is not enough to cope with prolonged exposure or strong UV environments. Therefore, when playing golf, we can choose professional golf jerseys, pants, and skirts with a high polyester content to ensure that ultraviolet rays cannot directly shine on most areas of the body.
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Clothing Type
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Material
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color
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UPF value range
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UV blocking rate
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Suitable for scenes
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Ordinary clothing
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Cotton
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White, light color
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5 to 10
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50%-80%
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Daily light outdoor activities
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Cotton
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Dark colors (such as black, dark blue)
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15 to 20
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90%-95%
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Outdoor scene with slight UV intensity
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Polyester (sportswear)
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Any color
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20-30
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95%-96.7%
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Sunlight exposure during light exercise
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Sun protection clothing
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High density woven polyester fiber
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Light or dark colors are effective
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40-50+
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97.5%-98% or more
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Prolonged exposure to high UV light
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Coated technical fabrics
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Any color
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50+
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More than 98%
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Extreme UV exposure scenarios
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Cool sun protection fabric
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Any color
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50+
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More than 98%
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Summer high temperature and ultraviolet rays coexist
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For areas that cannot be covered by tops and bottoms, we can use tested and UPF50+ certified sun hats, sleeves, windbreakers, leggings, or over-the-knee socks that are thick enough to achieve good sun protection.
4. Recommendations for practical sun protection accessories
In addition to sunscreen, wearing professional sun protection equipment is an important measure for sun protection on the court:
- Hat: It is recommended to choose a hat with a wide brim or sun-proof fabric to cover the face, neck and ears.
- Sleeves: UPF50+ sun protection sleeves can cover the arms, are lightweight and breathable, and are suitable for use when swinging.
- Sun protection clothing: Sun protection clothing designed specifically for outdoor sports, with excellent UV blocking effect while taking into account comfort and freedom of movement.
- Long socks: can protect the calves from the sun, especially suitable for players who play in shorts.
5. Comprehensive sun protection strategy for golf
- Apply sunscreen: Choose a product with SPF 30 or above and is waterproof (sweating causes sunscreen to be easily lost), and apply it evenly 15-30 minutes before teeing off. Reapply about every two hours.
- Take breaks at the right time: Use the shade of trees or sunshade facilities on the court to reduce direct exposure to ultraviolet rays.
- Wear appropriate clothing: Tops and bottoms should be made of polyester, or thick cotton clothing to block out UV rays.
- Women's accessories: Choose a certified large-brimmed sun hat with a UPF value of 50 or above, sun-protective sleeves, sun-protective leggings, or socks or stockings that are thick enough.
- Men's accessories: Choose a golf hat with an extended brim and pair it with sun protection sleeves with a UPF value of 50 or above. Depending on the weather conditions, you can pair it with sunglasses or clip-on sunglasses.
Conclusion
Sun protection is not only for beauty, but also for health. Understanding the dangers of UV rays, mastering the basic principles of sun protection and choosing practical accessories can help you protect your skin while enjoying the fun of golf. From now on, include sun protection in your daily golf preparation list to make every swing safe and healthy!