Use Sun Protection Hats
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How to Choose Sun Protection Hats?
The four most important feature to consider are:Brim size
To ensure adequate protection from the UV rays select hats that has a minimum brim (the projecting edge of a hat) of 3 inches all round. The brim can block the direct UV rays to the sides of the face and ears.
Material
Sun protection hats using UPF 50+ material will block 98% of the direct damaging UVA and UVB component of the sun rays. If not labeled it should not allow light to shine through when held up against light. Many types of material can be used:
- natural - straw, raffia, cotton
- synthetic - nylon, polyester fabric
Shape
UV radiation is reflected or scattered to varying extents by different surface, eg. snow can reflect as much as 80% of UV radiation, dry beach sand about 15% and sea foam about 25%.
This reflected UV rays can bounce underneath the brim of hats and will often strike the chin, cheek and nose. Brims that curve down and sit closer to the face will provide better protection.
Colour
For maximum sun protection, white top will reflect the heat from the sun while darker colour underneath will absorb rather than bounce down the UV rays back to your face and eye. Also dark colour underbrim is cooler than light colour.
Sun protection hats with flap covering the neck (Legionnaire hat) completely protect the ear, neck and cheek. Baseball caps and visors(a partial brim extending out at the front of a hat, but without a cap) are less effective.
Sun Protection Hats for Specific Season
- all season - baseball hats and canvas hats
- warm season - straw hats and cotton hats offers sun protection and breathability
- cold season - wool hats and felt hats offers warmth and protection from wind, rain and snow besides sun rays
Sun protection hats are available for various activities such as golfing, boating, hiking, fishing, tennis, travel and beach activity.
Determining Your Hat Size
Hat size is based on he circumference of the head. Measure around your head above the ears where you would like the hat to rest. Or half an inch above your eyebrows. General hat size comes in small, medium, large, extra large and extra extra large. Metric sizes ranges from 52cm up to 65cm and in inches from 20.5in. to 25.5in.
The hat should be snug enough that it does not slide around when you shake your head and at the same time it should not feel like it is going to fall off when you bend over. The hat should not be so tight that it pinches or bites into your skin or causes discomfort - headache.
If your head size falls between two sizes, I strongly recommend that you choose the larger of the two sizes. There is a tendency for a hat to shrink over time rather than stretch.
You may want to consider the shape of your head. Some heads are more elongated and the hat that you feel tight in the front and back but loose on the sides is called "long oval". If hats are always tought on the sides and loose in front and back you are "round oval". If a "long oval" wearer buys a "regular oval" hat, the hat will not be comfortable and the brim will pull and wrinkle.
Take a QUIZ! Where do you wear the hat on your head??It is as personal as your handwriting. Each one of us has a favourite position and is called "hat signatute".
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