Live In Our Skinz!

SONORA, CA – March 13, 2008 – If protecting delicate skin from the damaging effects of the sun isn’t enough to convince consumers to cover up this summer, UV Skinz is happy to provide yet another compelling incentive. UV Skinz UPF 50+ protective outdoorwear line has been around since 2005 and the products have been environmentally-friendly from the start.
UV Skinz protect wearers from the devastating effects of the sun while also protecting the environment from the potentially devastating effects of human interaction. The human protection factor is in the tight nylon/spandex weave of the fabric that blocks out 98% of harmful UV rays. The environmental protection factor can be attributed to the lack of chemicals in UV Skinz products. “UV Skinz are free of harsh chemicals that can not only irritate sensitive skin…” says Skinz founder, Rhonda Sparks, “…but also, over time, and especially in marine locations with heavy tourist traffic, cause damage to sensitive animal and plant life.” Sparks goes on to say that “while our main goal is to keep babies, children and adults UV damage-free, we’ve always been proud that our products play a part in protecting the outdoor environs in which we love to play.”
UPF protective clothing can provide up to 50+ UPF protection which translates to a 98% block of harmful UV rays according to the Australian Radiation Lab which provides UPF fabric testing services. Australia has pioneered the sun protective clothing industry in response to the country’s highest skin cancer rates in the world. Garments are subjected to strict testing standards which factor in weave, color darkness, weight, elasticity and moisture content. Tighter weaves, darker colors, heavier weights, less elasticity and fabrics that wick moisture provide better protection.
While UV Skinz has a global outlook on minimizing environmental impact, the heart of its operations has small-town grassroots. UV Skinz was started in large part as an effort by committee comprised of Sparks’ family and close friends. Sparks is a successful entrepreneur in the telecommunications industry who started the UV protective wear company out of a desire to protect her young sons from suffering the same fate as their 32-year old father, Darren Lee Farwell, who succumbed to skin cancer after battling the disease for several years. Mr. Farwell lived an active outdoor lifestyle and was sure that the years of sun damage contributed to his melanoma diagnosis. Sparks has built the company’s foundation on producing products that allow consumers to both enjoy and preserve the outdoor venues in which they live without being concerned about skin damage from both UVA and UVB rays.
Many consumers do not know that sunscreen SPF ratings only measure UVB protection from sunburns but do not necessarily reflect protection from UVA rays which are more deeply penetrating causing damage to skin’s connective tissue. UVA rays contribute to the development of skin cancer and are the primary causes of premature aging. Wearing UV protective clothing in combination with UV protective hats, sunglasses and the correct use of sunscreen is the best defense against sun damage when living an active lifestyle or when prolonged sun exposure is unavoidable.
The new UV Skinz 2008 Spring line was just announced and in response to never-ending feedback from her customers, Sparks has expanded the line to include skirts, boardshorts and reversible bucket hats. The whimsical new designs range from cool butterflies to camo sharks to koi sleeves and other nature-inspired designs that are very much a reflection of the company’s celebration of the outdoors.
UV Skinz produces hip, high quality UPF 50+ outdoorwear for babies, kids and adults. After UV Skinz founder, Rhonda Sparks, lost her 32-year old husband to skin cancer, she made it her mission to get babies, kids and adults covered from the potentially harmful dangers of the sun. UV Skinz is also committed to taking every opportunity to promote awareness of and education about skin cancer. UVskinz.com offers information and links for the health conscious consumer interested in finding out more on how to fight skin cancer.