Protective sun cover and method for protecting skin

Abstract

This disclosure provides a device for protecting skin from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. A protective skin cover is shaped and sized to cover a certain body region when worn. The cover is made from material that offers a relatively high degree of protection from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. The edges of the cover are finished.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective skin cover comprising a material known to protect against sun damage, the cover configured to be selectively worn by a user over a plurality of skin portions to protect said skin portions from sun damage. 
     
     
         2 . The protective skin cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a fastener capable of fastening at least two portions of the cover about a portion of the user's body to cover said skin portions. 
     
     
         3 . The protective skin cover of  claim 2 , wherein said fastener is snap button. 
     
     
         4 . The protective skin cover of  claim 2 , wherein said fastener is a zipper fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The protective skin cover of  claim 4 , wherein said zipper fastener, when zipped, forms a tube with open ends, such that the cover may be worn around one's neck and/or shoulders. 
     
     
         6 . The protective skin cover of  claim 5 , wherein said cover further comprises a flap feature that can either drape down a person's back or be worn as a hood. 
     
     
         7 . The protective skin cover of  claim 2 , wherein said fastener is a tying mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The protective skin cover of  claim 2 , wherein said fastener is a button affixed to one side of the cover configured to releasably extend through a button hole defined in an opposite side of the cover. 
     
     
         9 . The protective skin cover of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is affixed to a visor. 
     
     
         10 . The protective skin cover of  claim 1 , wherein said cover has an area ranging from about 100 square inches to about 625 square inches. 
     
     
         11 . The protective skin cover of  claim 1 , wherein said cover has an area ranging from about 1500 square inches to about 3200 square inches. 
     
     
         12 . The protective skin cover of  claim 1 , wherein the material known to protect against sun damage is at least 70% nylon. 
     
     
         13 . The protective skin cover of  claim 1 , wherein a second piece of material is affixed to the material known to protect against sun damage for the purpose of providing the cover a more appealing appearance. 
     
     
         14 . The protective skin cover of  claim 13 , wherein the second piece of material is at least 70% nylon. 
     
     
         15 . A kit for protecting the skin against sun damage, comprising:
 a plurality of protective skin covers comprising a material known to protect against sun damage, the covers configured to be selectively worn by a user over a plurality of skin portions to protect said skin portions from sun damage,   wherein the plurality of skin covers have different ultraviolet protection factor ratings.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein each of the skin covers has a different ultraviolet protection factor rating ranging from 15 to 50+. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein each of the skin covers has a label showing its ultraviolet protection factor rating. 
     
     
         18 . A method for protecting the skin using a kit comprising a plurality of protective skin covers comprising a material known to protect against sun damage, the covers configured to be selectively worn by a user over a plurality of skin portions to protect said skin portions from sun damage, wherein each of the plurality of skin covers has a different ultraviolet protection factor rating, the method comprising:
 a) selecting a cover from the kit,   b) unfolding said cover, and   c) securing or placing the cover such that it covers the region desired to be protected.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising selecting a cover of desired UPF rating from the kit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising determining, based on one's location and the time of day, the level of UV protection desired. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising repeating steps a) through c) upon a change in the level of UV protection desired.