Sun Protection

Wide-brim hats provide the maximum protection from Ultraviolet (UV) rays. The following data is from the Center for Disease Control:

Ultraviolet rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation. UV rays can penetrate and change the structure of skin cells. There are three types of UV rays: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). UVA is the most abundant source of solar radiation at the earth's surface and penetrates beyond the top layer of human skin. Scientists believe that UVA radiation can cause damage to connective tissue and increase a person's risk for developing skin cancer.

DelMonico Hatter makes the following recommendations to help you select a hat that will better protect your skin: Choose a hat that provides shade for all of your head and neck. For the most protection, wear a hat with a wide enough brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. If you wear a baseball cap, wear clothing that protects your ears and the back of your neck, or use sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Tightly woven fabric works best to protect your skin from UV rays. If you have a choice, select a fabric hat instead of an open weave straw hat. Look for hats with a stated ultraviolet protection factor (UPF)on the tag.

Tilley Hats are certified for Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50+. The rating UPF 50+ is the maximum given. Hats with a UPF of 50 allow 1/50th of the UV radiation falling on the surface to pass through it. Stated another way, they block 98% of ultraviolet radiation.

DelMonico Hatter has sun-protection hats for all-weather wear. Even in the winter, sunlight can still cause sunburn, in some cases.