BloqUV Sun Protective Clothing | Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and it’s also an excellent time to remind athletes to cover up. To celebrate, make sure to enter our BloqUV giveaway before May 31 to win FREE apparel! These stylish products block harmful UV rays and have some pretty cool features. Much of the sun-protective clothing in the tennis space has moisture-wicking technology, which is made from soft-to-the-touch, lightweight and quick-drying fabrics.

Types of Skin Cancer

Infographic featuring a woman applying sunscreen on her upper arm in the shape of the sun. "1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70"

There are different kinds of skin cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancers are linked to sun exposure. Experts say regularly using an SPF of 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing these types of skin cancers by about 40 percent. Wearing a cap or visor is also advisable. Another form of skin cancer is Melanoma. This is a much more serious type of cancer, yet, it is still treatable. Below are some statistics to keep in mind but if you see or feel something unusual, seek medical attention sooner rather than later.

On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns.
Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.
Melanoma accounts for 6 percent of new cancer cases in men, and 5 percent of new cancer cases in women.
Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer.

BloqUV is the Best in the Business

Sun Protective clothing

There are a lot of sun-protective clothing manufacturers out there. Sofibella, Tail, and Fila all regularly offer clothing made with UV-blocking fabrics. But one of the best in the business is BloqUV. Bloq UV has been perfecting its selection for the past 10 years. During that time, they discovered a proprietary blend of fabric that significantly minimizes sun exposure by blocking out 98% of the sun’s rays. That's phenomenal compared to a standard T-shirt that only blocks out about 5%. The special sun-friendly fabric was tested to withstand 100 hours of simulated light. It can shield up to UPF 50 sun protection and hold up to more than 40 washes. All this, not to mention it is shrink-resistant. BloqUV apparel and accessories appeal to sports and leisure customers. Here are some key looks.

Women's Crop Top

A long-sleeved crop top is the perfect way to layer on sun coverage for your upper body without adding on too much extra fabric. This top is designed with thumbholes to ensure full coverage over your arms at all times. It pairs great with sleeveless tanks and cap-sleeved shirts to give that extra sun protection when it counts.

Women's Short Sleeve Crew

You can never go wrong with the classic look of a short-sleeved tennis crew. This shirt has it all with a simple design that's easy to fit into any tennis outfit. A relaxed fit gives room for more breathability to beat the summer heat. It even has reflective trimmings that keep you safe in dim-light settings, helping you stay visible to cars if you ever decide to go out on an evening jog.

Women's Capri Skort

No tennis outfit is complete without a matching skirt. Try on the Capri tennis skort for a unique take on the classic on-court style. They're designed with half-length leggings to provide extra sun protection. Other features such as a waistband pocket and legging ball pocket add extra on-court convenience to maximize the fun.

UV Tennis Hoodie

Guys can join in on the fun too with the Unisex Tennis Hoodie. It's great to have for those early morning or evening sessions when the sun is up but temperatures are a bit cooler. UV protection is still a concern for wintertime too, since cold weather doesn't mean that sunburn is no longer a threat.

Men's Short Sleeve Crew

Once again, a reliable short sleeve tennis crew is something any guy can always count on to have in their tennis wardrobe. Lightweight breathability is always appreciated during those extra sunny days as UV-blocking, moisture-wicking fabrics help combat the heat.

Additional Ways to Protect Your Skin

sun protective clothing

There are other ways you can protect yourself and your skin. Experts suggest limiting the amount of direct sun exposure on a daily basis. They also encourage people to consider the time of day. Certainly, playing tennis or pickleball in the early morning hours or hitting the courts around dusk makes for the coolest summer playing conditions. Consider the time of year and consult your weather app for UV indexes ahead of time. If it's peak summertime without a cloud in sight, maybe try finding an indoor court to play instead.

Shop TennisExpress.com for all of your sun protective gear and play your best game ever!