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Forget Reapplying Sun Screen All Day: Get A Rash Guard

By John V

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 25Feb2012 Word count: 547 Viewed: 67 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

If you surf, you probably know all about the unpleasantness of skin irritation. Also known as surfer's rash, this irritation is caused by some combination of saltwater, sun exposure, sand, your board, and your wetsuit (if you wear one). To combat this king of bummers, surf apparel companies created the rash guard, a lightweight, tight-fitting shirt made of Lycra. Designed to be smooth against the skin, rashguards also wick away moisture to keep you more comfortable both in and out of the water. In warm water (above 74 degrees) you can wear a rash guard instead of a wetsuit, even when scuba diving. In cooler water, your skin will thank you if you wear a rash guard underneath your wetsuit.

One of the biggest benefits of rashguards is that they provide fabulous UV protection that is both more convenient and more effective than sun-screen lotions and sprays. Active swimmers and surfers spend a great deal of time exposed to the sun, and slathering on sun-screen is a pain. It's time consuming - which is the last thing you want when those morning waves are crashing - and even the best "waterproof" products need to be reapplied throughout the day. Many sunscreens are oily or sticky, while others include alcohol and various chemicals which can themselves be bad for your skin. It's much easier and more practical to wear a rash guard to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays, especially because it performs double duty by protecting your skin from irritation.

Lycra naturally delivers excellent UV protection, and its moisture-wicking properties make it perfect for outdoor activities both in and out of the water. Whether you're catching waves or jogging on the beach, you'll appreciate this combination of sun protection and moisture control. It can be tempting to just soak up the rays on a sunny day, but failing to protect your skin can lead to short term damage and discomfort in the form of sunburn, as well as long-term risks such as skin cancer. Sun burn can also contribute to surfing rash, which occurs when the skin makes direct contact with a surfboard's salty, sandy surface. Skin chafing and abrasion are very uncomfortable, and can lead to more serious types of irritation if exposed to sun and saltwater for extended periods of time.

Finally, one of the most important aspects of any rash guard's design is ease of mobility. Compared to just about any other type of aquatic clothing (especially wetsuits), rashguards are very flexible and lightweight, affording the wearer tremendous freedom of movement. It basically feels like you're not wearing anything at all. This freedom of motion makes a huge difference whether you're swimming, paddling on a surfboard, or using your rash guard in a non-aquatic setting, such as in wrestling or martial arts. In fact, many land athletes wear rash guards during sweat-inducing activities such as cycling and mountain climbing, because rash guards offer unbeatable water repelling ability combined with superior freedom of movement. If your climate requires more thermal insulation that a rash guard provides, you can always wear a rash guard as a soft, non-chafing base layer. This works underneath ski jackets just as well as underneath diving wetsuits.

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