For more information:
Carol Schuler
Haberman & Associates
612-372-6451
The Skin Cancer Foundation Recommends Coolibar
Anti-Cancer Hats and Swimwear
New Sun Protection Clothing Designs Block 97% of UV Rays
MINNEAPOLIS, March 21, 2003—Looking forward to summer sun protection
needs, The Skin Cancer Foundation has issued its Seal of Recommendation
to 17 newly designed sun protection clothing items from Coolibar including hats, swimshirts, athletic
wear, and women’s slacks, dresses, skirts and a sarong. To earn the Seal, the
items underwent the Foundation’s extensive review to assure they meet stringent
criteria for safety and effectiveness in blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation,
the main cause of skin cancer.
“The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation program has been
developed as a guide to help consumers purchase the most effective sun
protection products,” said Perry Robins, MD, President and Founder of the
Foundation. “Coolibar’s sun protection clothing meets our rigorous requirements and
will provide far more protection from the sun’s cancer-causing UV rays than the
average t-shirt or polo shirt.”
Sun protective clothing is an excellent sun protection tool as it provides a
physical block that doesn’t wash or wear off and can shade the skin from both
UVA and UVB rays. Coolibar’s sun protection clothing differs from standard attire by blocking
97% or more of UV rays and providing an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of
30 or greater. Most summer-weight cotton T-shirts offer as little as 5 UPF dry
and lose 50% of their UPF when wet. Also, while the t-shirt may prevent skin
from burning, the effect of UVB rays, it is not preventing the absorption of
harmful UVA rays, which, over time, dramatically increase the risk of skin
cancer.
Prior to awarding the Seal, the Foundation’s Photobiology Committee,
comprised of physicians expert in the effects of solar radiation, determined
that the product sufficiently and safely aids in the prevention of sun-induced
damage to the skin. The requirements include: use of a fabric with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF)
of 15 or greater, independent validation of the UPF number by in vitro testing
in an approved laboratory using a standard testing protocol, and use of a
clothing style designed to maximize skin coverage and protection.
“As the only clothing line to earn The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of
Recommendation, these additional sun protection clothing fashions are an important expansion in our
ability to offer our customers complete sun safety,” said John Barrow, Founder
and President of Coolibar. “Coolibar is committed to providing our customers
with cool, comfortable, fashionable clothing that will provide sun protection
for any outdoor activity.”
Coolibar clothing joins nearly 250 sun-protectant products, ranging from
sunscreens and sunglasses to window glass film and laundry products, which
currently carry the Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. All Coolibar
approved garments will display the Seal on the garment hang tag.
The Skin Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to the
prevention and detection of the world’s most common cancer. Through education
and research, this national and international organization has worked for more
than 23 years to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of skin cancer.
For more information about skin cancer prevention and detection visit
www.skincancer.org or call 1-800-SKIN490
Coolibar was founded in 2001 to bring Australia’s world-leading approaches to
sun protection to the American market. The company has extensively redesigned
Australian sun-protective clothing styles to meet the tastes and needs of
fashion- and health-conscious Americans. For information about Coolibar, go to
www.coolibar.com or call 1-800-926-6509.
