FAQ’s

1. General
2. Sun Protection
3. Quality
4. Care of Garment
5. Styles & Colors
6. Delivery
7. Sizing Guidelines

1. GENERAL:

Q: What is unique about SecondSkins.US?
A: Our service and quality ethic. From the time you place your order with us we consider this to be a placement of your trust in us and we will do our utmost to maintain this.

Q: Do we comply with labour laws in other countries?
A: SecondSkins.US meets all the standards with regard to labour relations of the International Human Rights Commission. We know of no laws in any country which in any way stop or limit our trading in such country.

2. SUN PROTECTION:

Q: What makes sun protection fabric UPF 50 ?
A: A combination of the weight, thickness of fibre used, closeness of knitting, dyestuffs and the processes.

Q: Does the UPF diminish over time?
A: Yes, however the fabric will break down prior to the UPF becoming dangerously low. The rating is based on a new dry garment. This is one of the reasons that it is imperative that a UPF 50 fabric be used. Factors such as stress, moisture, age and wear will diminish the UPF factor slightly over time when worn.

Q: How is a UPF rating given?
A: A UPF rating is given based on tests performed at an accredited laboratory with a spectrometer according to the Diffey and Robson method.

Q: What's the Difference between UPF and SPF? 
A: SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is the rating you're familiar with for sunscreens and other sun-protective products. It measures the amount of time it takes for sun-exposed skin to redden, while UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that penetrates a fabric and reaches the skin.

Q: Do we have official CANSA accreditation? 
A: Yes and as such are entitled to use CANSA tags of approval on our garments.

Q: Why would people in cold climates purchase sun suits? 
A: People living in cold climates are far more susceptible to harmful sunburn when on their annual vacation than someone who has greater exposure to the sun. It is a simple factor of complete lack of exposure to the sun followed by intensive periods of exposure during the vacation period. It is also no fun to start off the holiday with extremely painful sunburn followed by peeling (the classic sign of damage to the skin).

3. QUALITY:

Q: How resistant is our swimwear to chlorine? 
A: All Elastanes are based on rubber. The rubber will always be susceptible to breakdown as a result of exposure to chlorine, salt, perspiration and suntan creams. Ongoing research is improving the resistance all the time and the adherence to care instructions will always ensure a good life for your garment.
We have three different swimwear fabric options for different uses – ELASTOSKINS, CHLOROSKINS and ULTRASKINS.

Q: What are our quality standards? 
A: We believe we have amongst the highest standards worldwide. Quality at SecondSkins.US is an ethic. Every person is well versed in excellence and the team takes great pride in the end product. Testament to this is that in sixteen years we have not produced enough rejects to stock a small factory shop.

Q: Are our fabrics colourfast in salt and chlorine? 
A: All dyestuffs are subject to fading over time and especially in harsh salt and chlorine environments. You will, however, get a better life from any garment if the care instructions are carefully followed.

Q: How do SecondSkins.US garments stand up to wash and wear? 
A: Like anything, provided the wash instructions are followed, our garments suffer no ill effects in the washing process. In terms of wear and tear, we pride ourselves on the quality of our fabrics and manufacturing process and you should enjoy maximum use out of any garment subjected to normal wear and tear.

Q: How long will my garment last?
A: Your SecondSkins.US garment will comfortably last a full season under normal conditions if the care instructions are followed. A number of factors including the chemical content of the water, suntan lotions, perspiration and bad care will affect the lifespan.

4. CARE OF GARMENT

We do everything we can to ensure that your garment is top of its class in terms of looks, performance and longevity! Taking care of it, however, will prolong its lifespan.

After swimming in salt or chlorinated water:

• Always rinse thoroughly in fresh water
• Never leave rolled up wet in a towel or bag
• Never dry in direct sunlight
• Never wash in detergent and hot water
• Never tumble dry
• Always keep away from direct contact with suntan or body lotion
• Avoid rough surfaces – pool edges, rocks, rough wood etc that will cause snags to your garments

5. STYLES & COLOURS

Q: Why do we use back zips rather than front? 
A: The back zip garment gives the impression of a wetsuit which children perceive to look cool.  An added benefit is that it is harder for kids to undo the zip.  Back zips also do not irritate the front when children "body-board".

Q: What are the most popular colours?
A: These change from season to season and from age group to age group.  We will willingly guide you in the event that you wish to place an order but are unsure of the appropriate colourways.

6. DELIVERY

Q: How do we deliver your goods?
A: As part of our service, we arrange deliveries according to your requirements. We work with a number of reliable operators but will use any operator you specify if you prefer. All delivery costs are over and above the quoted price.

Q: If part of an order is delayed, do you have to pay additional freight charges?
A: If the delay is our fault, we pay additional freight costs.

Q: Will we deliver goods to a third party address? 
A: Yes. We will deliver precisely according to the customer’s instructions, but we consider our obligations as having been met at the time the goods leave our premises. Payment is therefore the responsibility of the customer who ordered the goods.

Q: If you return goods for credit, do we also credit the freight?
A: If we were at fault then we make sure that you incur no costs. If goods are returned for any other reason then all costs will accrue to you. 

7. Sizing Guidelines

Before finalizing your order, please refer to the following sizing guidelines.  Our UV sun protection garments are designed to fit snugly.