Stay Sun-Smart with a Wide-Brim Hat
Carolyn Tam
MS-III Kansas City University
Why Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat?
Who doesn’t love a sunny beach day, a scenic hike, or a backyard BBQ? Soaking up the warm sunlight, spending time with friends, and enjoying the outdoors can feel energizing and refreshing. But too much sun exposure? Not so much fun.
UVA and UVB rays don’t just cause sunburn, they accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. Long-term exposure also raises the chances of developing conditions like melasma and vitiligo. Goh et al. found that these pigmentary disorders have the most significant negative impact on quality of life, as they are often resistant to treatment and prone to recurrence (2023). The good news? Proper sun protection can help prevent them.
And there’s an easy (and stylish!) fix: a wide-brim hat.
Big Brim, Big Benefits
Dr. Nern recommends wearing a hat with at least a 4-inch brim for 360-degree protection, shading your face, neck, and ears. When shopping, opt for broad-brimmed bucket hats or legionnaire-style hats instead of baseball caps, which leave parts of the face, ears, and neck exposed (Gies et al., 2006).
For added safety, Dr. Nern suggests hats labeled with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. UPF-rated fabrics are thicker and more durable, providing excellent defense against harmful UV rays. The higher the UPF, the better the protection. Many brands now offer UPF 50 hats as the standard. Plus, they’re low-maintenance—just wash and dry them after frequent use, and they’re ready to protect you again.
Make It a Sun-Smart Combo
While a wide-brim hat offers significant protection, Backers et al. show that no hat provides 100% coverage due to factors like wearing angles and diffused UV radiation (2018). For full protection, pair your hat with sunglasses and sunscreen—it’s like assembling your ultimate sun-shielding squad.
Stylish & Functional for Every Occasion
Wearing a hat for sun protection is still uncommon in North America. Some schools even restrict outdoor hat-wearing due to concerns about disruptions or associations with gang culture (Bray, 2016). However, this thinking can be detrimental to skin health since Linos et al. suggest that shade and protective clothing may be more effective than sunscreen, as commonly used by Americans (2011).
It’s all about shifting your mindset! In countries like China, Indonesia, and Japan, wearing hats is both fashionable and practical, making them a staple accessory (Goh et al., 2023). Whether you’re a beachgoer, hiking enthusiast, city explorer, or gardening lover, there’s a stylish hat to complement your look.
Your Skin Will Thank You
Sun protection doesn’t have to be complicated. A wide-brim hat is an easy, stylish, and scientifically backed way to reduce sun damage. So, the next time you step outside, pop on that hat, rock your sun-smart style, and give your skin the protection it deserves!
References
Backes, C., Religi, A., Moccozet, L., Vuilleumier, L., Vernez, D., & Bulliard, J. (2018). Facial exposure to ultraviolet radiation: Predicted sun protection effectiveness of various hat styles. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 34(5), 330–337. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12388
Bray, F. N. (2016). Florida school boards restrict access to outdoor Sun Protection: An observational study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 75(3), 642–644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.05.012
Gies, P., Javorniczky, J., Roy, C., & Henderson, S. (2006). Measurements of the UVR protection provided by hats used at school. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 82(3), 750–754. https://doi.org/10.1562/2005-10-27-ra-727
Goh, C. L., Kang, H. Y., Morita, A., Zhang, C., Wu, Y., Prakoeswa, C. R., Sau, N. H., Kerob, D., Flament, F., & Wei, L. (2023). Awareness of sun exposure risks and photoprotection for preventing pigmentary disorders in Asian populations: Survey results from three Asian countries and expert panel recommendations. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12932
Linos, E., Keiser, E., Fu, T., Colditz, G., Chen, S., & Tang, J. Y. (2011). Hat, shade, long sleeves, or sunscreen? Rethinking US sun protection messages based on their relative effectiveness. Cancer Causes & Control, 22(7), 1067–1071.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-011-9780-1
