Portion of Nurse's Sun Protection Clothing Line to Benefit Charity

Orange County resident Marina Arnold likes the sun, but she's also cautious of it.

In fact, so much so that the 56-year-old Registered Nurse created a special sun protection clothing line called SPF Addict to keep the sun's harmful rays at bay. 

"My idea came from working as a cosmetic dermatology R.N., after years of reversing the signs of sun damage and now teaching on keeping it off, emphasizing prevention," Arnold, of Laguna Niguel, said. 

People can find the line at spfaddict.com and very soon in local boutiques as many are expressing interest in carry it, she said. Presently, 5 Seas in Balboa Island, Newport Beach is selling the line and it's selling fast. 

A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society, AIDS Foundation, and LUPUS Foundation. Customers choose where they want their proceeds to go, Arnold said. 

Arnold has been a nurse for 30 years and in the cosmetic dermatology field for the last 18. She is also a national laser trainer and private consultant in helping other offices get started in following patient and employee safety.  

She takes a personal interest in the sunscreen line because, "As dark as I am, I myself had skin cancer twice. No matter what our ethnicity or the color of our skin, we are all susceptible to getting skin cancer if we don't take precautions."

After seeing numerous patients with sun damage, premature aging, and more important skin cancer, she realized the need for more protection over and above sunscreen lotions.  

"I can honestly say my research took me several years, so it really did take me a while from the time I had my first designs and had the fabric developed from literally scratch around four years, with the research much longer than that," she said. 

The line is best suited for anyone who spends any amount of time in the sun and who need to be aware of the dangers of UV Rays.

"People with sensitive skin are really going to benefit from this technology, such as people who have had skin cancer, sun damage, Lupus, eczema. In general all skin types." 

She added that while regular fabrics may protect you with an SPF of 5 depending on the color and weave of the fabric, if wet it drops even further.

"This fabric was tested by a textile chemist for UPF 50+ which means 98 to 110 percent of this offers the ultimate in UV protection, which is why all the SPF Addict fabrics are UPF 50+."

In fabric it is referred to as UPF (Ultraviolet protective factor) in lotions, makeup, etc., SPF (sun protective factor).

"The Skin Cancer Society states in order to claim sun protection you must have a minimum of UPF 15," she noted.