Sun protection recommendations

The Sun emits several types of rays including UV rays: UVA and UVB.

• UVB rays reach the skin’s surface and cause it to tan or to burn
• UVA rays penetrate deep into the tissues (of eyes and skin) and accelerate the aging process.

Whether the day is bright and sunny or overcast and cloudy, we’re constantly exposed to harmful UV rays.

Before the age of 12, our eyes do not benefit from the natural protection provided by the lens of our eye. As such, they are much more UV-sensitive than adults’ eyes.

Over the course of our life, 70% of total UV-ray exposure takes place before the age of 17. Children are, therefore, the most at risk.

Whilst boating, beaching or winter-sporting, be careful because

• water reflects 10 to 30% of UV rays
• snow reflects 85% of them
• sand reflects more than 20%.

How can I protect my children effectively from the sun?

How do I choose sun shades for my children?

From what age can kids start wearing sun shades?

As 90% of UVA rays and more than 50% of UVB rays reach the retinas of babies aged between 0 months and 1 years old, it is therefore an absolute ‘must’ for them to wear sun shades as soon as they are exposed to the sun.

What does category 3 and 4 mean?

This is the level of protection provided by the lenses in your sun shades. Lenses are classified form category 0 to 4. The lenses in Ki ET LA’s sun shades are either category 3 or 4 and offer optimal UV filtering. They are also specifically anti-blue-light treated to reduce glare.

Are Ki ET LA sun shades suitable for skiing?

Snow reflects 85% of UV rays! Ki ET LA’s category 4 sun shades for babies are perfectly suited for skiing as well as for boating for example.

How do I go about choosing a hat for my kid?

• Sun cream, sun umbrellas and parasols are not replacements for sun shades and a hat.
• Choose a hat with wide visors which protect the face, the neck and the shoulders well.
• Anti-UV fabrics and textiles which provide optimal UPF 50+ protection are recommended.
• Prefer natural fabrics and comfortable textiles so that your child feels at ease and doesn’t mind wearing the hat.

Is there a reason for choosing an Anti-UV hat rather than a classical cotton hat?

Generally-speaking, standard summer fabric has a UPF of around 6 and blocks very little UV rays. Ki ET LA’s hat made from an Anti-UV UPF 50+ textile ensures optimal protection against UV rays. Its wide visors protect little ones’ shoulders and/or face.

What do UPF and UPF 50+ mean?

UPF means “Ultraviolet Protection Factor”. It’s a rating defined for European standard textiles/fabrics which indicates the UV filtering percentage.

UPF 50+ provides very high protection since this rating blocks more than 97.5% of UVA and UVB rays. Ki ET LA’s Kapel hat is made of UPF 50+ cotton: the optimal UV protection rating.

What’s the difference between UPF and SPF?

SPF means “Sunburn Protection Factor”. SPF is the rating used for sun-protection products (creams, lotions, sprays, etc.). UPF means “Ultraviolet Protection Factor” and specifies the UV filtering percentage for textiles/fabrics. Each sun rating corresponds to a percentage of blocked UVB rays. Ki ET LA’s Kapel hat’s UPF 50+ rating is the highest UV protection currently available.

What does the Oeko-Tex label really guarantee?

All Ki ET LA’s hats are Oeko-Tex-labeled. This label ensures the human/ecological qualities of textiles: free from substances that are toxic for the body and the environment.

The blue light emitted by the sun is low level, is a source of energy and promotes wellness.

However, the artificial blue light emitted by electronic devices is very harmful for our eyes.

This artificial blue light is emitted by computer screens, tablets, TVs, consoles, mobiles, LED lights and our everyday life is flooded with it.

This blue light enters all the way to the front of our retina and disturbs image formation. As such, our eye muscles have to constantly refocus to adapt to this, which in turn makes our eyes tired.

This artificial blue light causes:

• Visual fatigue
• Itching eyes
• Headaches
• Mood swings and sleep disorders

This blue light can cause serious long-term effects.

Children aged 6 to 12 spend an average 5 hours per day in front of screens. Younger generations are the most at risk.

How can I protect my children effectively from harmful screen light?

How do I choose anti-blue-light screen shades?