Photoprotection: clothing and glass

Fahad Almutawa; Hanan Buabbas

doi:10.1016/j.det.2014.03.016

Photoprotection: clothing and glass

Dermatol Clin. 2014 Jul;32(3):439-48, x. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2014.03.016.

Authors

Fahad Almutawa¹, Hanan Buabbas²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Al-Jabriya, Safat 13110, Kuwait. Electronic address: fahad.almutawa@hsc.edu.kw.
² Medical Photophysics Laboratory, Asaad al Hamad Dermatology Center, PO Box 17296, Khaldeyah 72453, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

PMID: 24891064
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2014.03.016

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR) has well-known adverse effects on the skin and eyes. Little attention is given to physical means of photoprotection, namely glass, window films, sunglasses, and clothing. In general, all types of glass block UV-B. For UV-A, the degree of transmission depends on the type, thickness, and color of the glass. Adding window films to glass can greatly decrease the transmission of UV-A. Factors that can affect the transmission of UVR through cloth include tightness of weave, thickness, weight, type of fabrics, laundering, hydration, stretch, fabric processing, UV absorbers, color, and fabric-to-skin distance.

Keywords: Clothing; Glass; Photoprotection; Sunglasses; Ultraviolet; Window films.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Clothing*
Glass*
Humans
Photosensitivity Disorders / prevention & control*
Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*