A well-designed hat can substantially reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching the face, neck, ears and head.
Common sites of skin damage and skin cancer are the neck, ears, temples, lips, face and nose.
Always remember to use other sun protection measures, such as shade, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your face, as hats will not block out all UV rays.
Recommended hats
Hats should shade the face, neck, ears and head.
These styles provide excellent protection from the sun:
A broad-brimmed hat with a brim of at least 7.5cm |
A Legionnaire-style hat |
A bucket or surfie hat with a brim of at least 6cm (for primary school children and older) or 5cm (for preschool children) |
Choosing a hat
When buying sun-protective hats, look for:
- a style that shades the face, neck and ears
- close-weave material (if you can see through the hat material, the UV rays will also get through)
- hats that do not obscure vision or pose a safety concern
- good ventilation, especially if the hat is to be used while exercising.
- Hat guidelines
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