Do you wear sunblock sleeves?

[Dilbertian]

I'm wondering what the advantage is over a long-sleeved top. A long-sleeved top can be loose, and therefore hopefully cooler. OTOH you're wearing it all the time. Or you could put a loose jacket on - but that's yet another extra layer.

These are what I'm looking at.

How do they stay up?

After developing a very nasty sun allergy in my 20s, I do wear them. Advantages are being able to take them off when indoors, being able to wear short sleeved tops without an extra layer and some of them are made of cooling fabric so they’re actually more comfortable in hot weather then some other fabrics such as thick cotton. And they give 100% sun protection, fabrics like linen that are thin woven offer less cover.

Ever heard of sun allergy? Very itchy and painful. Perhaps think about medical issues some people are dealing with before you post something that makes it painfully obvious that you haven’t thought about stuff that you don’t have to deal with but that can make others summertime very difficult.

I'm a pale blue redhead who is deficient. Burn within 5-10 mins in the sun so I just take a high strength vitamin d

if It’s smooth synthetic material that they’re made of, they kind of attach themselves to the skin, very tightly, and stay up very well.

Or those who are allergic or can't tolerate sunscreen for whatever reason...

And for those that might forget/not know when to top up...

Or those that aren't confident they're covering their arms in sunscreen completely

Or those that can't apply sunscreen themselves, and don't want to rely on others and relish independence.

Etc

Or those who want to save money as the sleeves are washable and a one time investment that will last for years. They’re also more environmental friendly then to keep buying bottles of sunscreen.

I had these when we lived abroad and it was v hot and sunny. I am extremely sensitive to the sun, not just burn but come out in a rash too.

It meant I could wear short sleeve tops without worrying about sun cream on my arms. Also you can take them off inside. Great for car journeys for example and then take them off when you get to your destination and don’t have thick sun cream on. I knew I looked ridiculous, but it was better than a horrible rash!

Also I agree they are kind of cooling. People definitely wear them for golf or other activities like that.

Also long sleeved UV tops were becoming more common for swimming etc. I often wasn’t the only person in one! And pretty much all children wear them

if It’s smooth synthetic material that they’re made of, they kind of attach themselves to the skin, very tightly, and stay up very well.

This worries me. I don't like wearing synthetics at the best of times. I worry it would be like wearing my long-sleeved rash vest - fine in the water, not so fine as a day-to-day shirt. That's why I was excited to see the Solbari one is viscose and cotton.

But that post about driving has convinced me to try them so that I can drive or be a passenger with my window open!

Not all fabrics protect the same from the sun. In fact, a regular, white cotton t-shirt may have a sun protective rating equivalent to wearing only SPF 5 sunscreen. Those arms protect to the equivalent of spf50.

You should wear them even with the window closed

Yes I do for hiking. They also cover the back of my hands which burn on long walks. Standard t shirt plus spf sleeves is much cheaper than SPF top too. You get better ventilation and can remove them more easily than changing a top.

Just wondering for those of you who get PLE, have you found a sunscreen that helps?
I have it and use F50 for the first couple of sunny months but it doesn't always work - suggestions appreciated!
I have Piz Buin sensitive but it is so thick and greasy I end up with a heat rash!

Altruist was recommended to me and I’m a fan. I find it rubs in well and doesn’t make me a ghost, or sting my eyes.

I use the factor 50 and it seems to work (obviously need to reapply as needed). I use it for the kids too

You should wear them even with the window closed

Why? I don't have the allergic reaction with the window closed.

Not all fabrics protect the same from the sun. In fact, a regular, white cotton t-shirt may have a sun protective rating equivalent to wearing only SPF 5 sunscreen. Those arms protect to the equivalent of spf50.

Quite right. My 'sunscreen' layers are always either rated SPF50 or made from densely woven cotton or linen. And if I'm going to be getting wet then I use synthetic garments designed to protect when wet.

I wear this type of thing for medical reasons. There are many options on the market, including Amazon, some of which are very good value.

Note - I do not have more money than sense.

I would get sunburnt through the car windows. But we didn’t live in the Uk so the sun was much stronger

I've never heard of them, but I did work in a shop that sold clothing designed to keep you cool and that contained built-in sun protection, which I thought was pretty clever.

Most of the clothing they sold had UPF rating equivalent to wearing factor 40.

I can’t bear having my arms covered in warm weather, even with loose, breathable material. I feel very sorry for people who have no choice because of sun sensitivity, that must be horrible.

That's sensitive!

That's mad... Clear glass car windows block UVB. Even "normal" glass blocks 97% UVB.