Dermatologist Recommended UPF 50+ Sun Protection
Dermatologist Recommended
Dermatologist Recommended UPF 50+ Sun Protection
Dermatologists have been recommending UPF clothing for years, and the reasoning is straightforward. Sunscreen washes off, fades through the day, and almost never gets applied as thickly as the bottle assumes. UPF 50+ fabric just keeps protecting you, all day, with none of that to think about. equatorsun is recommended by Consultant Dermatologist Dr Dev Shah, and every piece in our range is rated UPF 50+.
The short version
- equatorsun is recommended by Dr Dev Shah, a Consultant Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon with over 15 years' experience in skin cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment.
- A UPF 50+ rating means the fabric blocks at least 98% of UV radiation. Every piece equatorsun sells meets that standard.
- Sunscreen washes off, fades, and needs reapplying every two hours. UPF clothing doesn't.
- It matters most for those at higher risk of skin cancer, anyone with fair skin, children, and people who spend long days outdoors or on the water.
- equatorsun has done nothing but UPF 50+ sun protection since 2006. Our fabrics are made in Italy and tested against AS/NZS 4399:2017, the Australian and New Zealand standard, which is the strictest in the world.
Dr Dev Shah's recommendation
UPF clothing is an essential part of any sun protection strategy. It offers consistent coverage and long-term UV defence, especially for those at higher risk of skin cancer. equatorsun helps make that protection both effective and practical.
Dr Dev Shah
A Leading Consultant Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon with over 15 years' experience, practising across several locations in London and the Home Counties. Dr Shah is an executive member of the British Association of Dermatological Surgeons and sits on the British Association of Dermatologists working group responsible for updating the UK's national vitiligo guidelines.
About Dr Dev Shah
Dr Dev Shah is a Leading Consultant Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon with over 15 years' experience. He practises across several locations in London and the Home Counties, including OneWelbeck in Marylebone.
Dr Shah is an executive member of the British Association of Dermatological Surgeons, and sits on the British Association of Dermatologists working group updating the UK's national vitiligo guidelines. His clinical work focuses on skin cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment, including Mohs micrographic surgery, which is widely considered the most effective technique for treating many forms of skin cancer.
You can find out more about Dr Shah’s clinics at drdevshah.com.
Why dermatologists recommend UPF 50+ clothing
UV damage adds up. Every hour you spend outside without protection contributes to a lifetime of exposure, and that exposure is what causes both visible skin ageing and most cases of skin cancer. The reason dermatologists keep coming back to UPF clothing is that it does the things sunscreen can't reliably do.
Sunscreen has its place, but it is an awkward tool. It needs reapplying every couple of hours to do its job. It washes off when you swim and sweats off when you exercise. And almost no one applies it as thickly as the SPF testing assumes, which means most people are getting a fraction of the protection on the label.
UPF clothing sidesteps all of that. A UPF 50+ garment blocks at least 98% of UV, and it does so constantly, without needing topping up. It does not fade when you get wet. It covers the back of the neck, the shoulders, and the upper back, which are the spots most people miss with sunscreen. For young children, who can't tell you when they're burning and who you can't realistically keep sunscreened from head to toe, the case is even stronger.
Who benefits most
UPF 50+ clothing matters most for:
- Anyone with a personal or family history of skin cancer
- People with fair skin, or anyone who burns easily
- Children, whose skin is thinner and more vulnerable, with much of their lifetime sun risk being set in childhood
- People taking photosensitising medications
- Those with skin conditions affected by sunlight, including vitiligo, lupus, and certain forms of dermatitis
- Anyone spending long days on or near water, snow, or sand, where UV is reflected back and intensified
What to look for in UPF clothing
Not every UPF garment is the same. What dermatologists tend to look for when they recommend a brand is:
- A genuine UPF 50+ rating, tested against a recognised international standard. The strictest is AS/NZS 4399:2017, the Australian and New Zealand standard.
- Protection woven into the fabric itself, rather than added as a chemical treatment that washes out over time
- Coverage in the right places: shoulders, upper back, and the back of the neck
- Comfort and breathability, so the garment is actually worn rather than left in the bag
- Durability for repeated use, including chlorine and saltwater resistance for swimwear
Why equatorsun meets the standard
equatorsun has done nothing but UPF 50+ sun protection since 2006. Every piece carries a certified UPF 50+ rating, and the protection is woven into the Italian fabric rather than applied as a coating. That means it lasts the life of the garment, regardless of how many times you wash it.
Our range is built on Stingray, an Australian brand that has focused on UV protection since 1986 and carries the endorsement of the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia. Everything is tested to AS/NZS 4399:2017 and made for repeated use, with chlorine-resistant construction that holds up season after season. The range covers women, men, children, and babies.
Frequently asked questions
Is equatorsun dermatologist recommended?
Yes. equatorsun's range carries the endorsement of the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia, and our products are regularly recommended by dermatologists to their patients as part of a sun protection routine. Dr Dev Shah, a Consultant Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon with over 15 years' experience practising across London and the Home Counties, is equatorsun among the dermatologists that are recommending equatorsun's apparel.
What does UPF 50+ actually mean?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. A rating of UPF 50+ means the fabric blocks at least 98% of UV radiation, with less than 2% reaching the skin. Every equatorsun piece is rated UPF 50+ as standard.
Why do dermatologists recommend UPF clothing over sunscreen alone?
Sunscreen needs reapplying every two hours, washes off when you swim or sweat, and is almost never applied as thickly as the SPF testing assumes. UPF clothing keeps protecting you all day without any of that, and it covers the spots people tend to miss with sunscreen. Most dermatologists suggest using both together, not one or the other.
Who benefits most from UPF clothing?
Anyone with a personal or family history of skin cancer, people with fair skin, children, anyone taking photosensitising medications, those with sun-affected skin conditions like vitiligo or lupus, and anyone spending long stretches outdoors or on the water.
Does UPF protection wash out over time?
Not in equatorsun garments. The UPF 50+ protection is woven into the fibre itself, not added as a chemical treatment, so it does not wash out or fade. It lasts for the life of the garment.
Are equatorsun products independently certified?
Yes. Our fabrics are tested to AS/NZS 4399:2017, the Australian and New Zealand sun protection standard, which is among the strictest in the world. The range also carries the endorsement of the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia.
Is UPF clothing safe for babies and children?
Yes, and dermatologists particularly recommend it for young children, whose skin is thinner and more vulnerable than adults'. equatorsun's baby and toddler range is built for exactly this, with full-coverage cuts and chlorine-resistant fabrics that work for swimming.