The Right Hat Can Help Prevent Skin Cancer Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Skin Cancer The Right Hat Can Help Prevent Skin Cancer Learn how to choose a hat that provides the best protection against the sun’s harmful UV radiation By Eva KashukMedically Reviewed by Thomas Urban Marron, MD, PhDReviewed: July 14, 2020Medically ReviewedWide brim? Waterproof? The right hat can help you ward off the sun's damaging rays.Javier Diez/StocksyYou may think of hats mainly as a stylish accessory, but hats actually play an essential role in helping to prevent skin cancer by keeping the sun's damaging rays away from the sensitive skin on your scalp, face, ears, and neck. Key Considerations for Choosing the Right HatGo big. The hat should cover your entire head. Choose "a hat that's not just a visor — look for a real hat, one that covers the top of your head," advises Martin Weinstock, MD, PhD, professor of dermatology and epidemiology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The scalp, even if covered with hair, is still susceptible to damage from the sun.Look for a large rim. The hat should have a broad brim that goes all the way around your head, "as opposed to a baseball cap that's only a bill in the front,” says Dr. Weinstock. “Baseball caps provide some protection, but it's limited.” They don’t cover the ears, which are sensitive and can burn easily. So if you do go outdoors in a baseball cap, apply plenty of sunscreen to the tops and insides of your ears, and the front and back of your neck as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.Choose the best fabric. For optimal protection your hat should be made from a tightly woven fabric, such as canvas. Some fabrics offer ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) ratings. Fabric with UPF 50 rating block 98 percent of UV rays. The higher the UPF rating is, the more UV protective the hat provides. What to avoid? Straw hats. Their many holes allow too much opportunity for the sun to reach the skin.Go dark. The darker the hat, the better. Darker colors, such as navy, black, and brown may offer more UV protection than lighter colors, according to the CDC.Don’t forget your sunglasses. In addition to a wide-brimmed hat, don a pair of sunglasses to help shield your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts, suggest CDC professionals. Choose sunglasses that blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, such as a pair from Eddie Bauer ($34.99). Better yet, pick a wraparound style that prevents rays from entering from the sides, like a pair of Rheos glasses ($55.00). RELATED: 6 Steps for Choosing a Clean and Safe Sunscreen How to Find a Hat That Best Fits the Bill For You Maximum Coverage For those looking for the fullest coverage, a hat with an extra-wide brim and cape that offers full neck coverage could be the answer. Check out Sunday Afternoon’s Sun Guide Cap ($30.40) or Coolibar’s Stevie Ultra Sun Hat ($55.00). Hats for a Day by the Water If you’re planning on cooling off in a pool, lake, or the ocean, look for a hat made of water-resistant fabric, such as Columbia’s Waterproof Booney Hat ($26.60) or Outdoor Research’s Sombriolet Sun Hat ($42.00). Hats For Gardeners A hat that stays in place as you maneuver around the yard is a must. The Solbari Everyday Sun Hat ($45.00) has a chin strap, as well as an opening for ponytails to keep hair out of the way. This L.L. Bean Boonie Hat ($29.95) is made with lightweight bug-repelling fabric so that your time outdoors won’t be ruined by bothersome pests. Hats for Hiking For a day in the great outdoors, find a hat with a moisture-wicking sweatband. The REI KUHL Sun Dagger Hat ($30.93) is a great pick, and also offers cooling ventilation using mesh fabric. A folding hat is also a great option for any hiker. Look for something with wrinkle-resistant technology like the Duluth Trading Crusher Packable Sun Hat ($29.95), so you can stash it in your backpack at any point along the trail. RELATED: 7 Sunscreen Mistakes That Hurt Your Skin NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Skin Cancer 14 Great Sunscreens for People of Color Looking for a sunscreen that’ll work with dark skin? 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