We made UV protective clothing for XP

We have 3 different types of UV protect wear for XP patients

What is Xeroderma Pigmentosum = XP?

Xeroderma pigmentosum, commonly known as XP, is an inherited condition characterized by an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is present in sunlight and may also be found in some types of artificial lighting. This condition mostly affects the eyes and areas of skin exposed to the sun. Xeroderma pigmentosum is associated with an increased risk of UVR-induced cancers. People with this condition often experience premature aging. Some affected individuals also have problems involving the nervous system.

The signs of xeroderma pigmentosum usually appear in infancy or early childhood. About half of affected children develop a severe sunburn after spending just a few minutes in the sun. The sunburn causes redness and blistering that can last for weeks. However, some children with xeroderma pigmentosum can tan normally.

By age 2, almost all children with xeroderma pigmentosum develop freckling of the skin in sun-exposed areas (such as the face, arms, and lips); this type of freckling rarely occurs in young children without the disorder. In affected individuals, exposure to sunlight often causes dry skin (xeroderma) and changes in skin coloring (pigmentation). This combination of features gives the condition its name.

This baby wears a face guard because he is an XP patient and gets a severe sunburn from UV rays after just a few minutes outside. The face guard is handmade by his mother, as they are not available on the market. However, the UV shielding rate is not reliable, so she lives his life with a sense of anxiety.

We decided to manufacture UV-cut garments in response to requests from patient guardians.

Most XP types in Japan are group A.
Patients suffer severe burns when exposed to ultraviolet light. They are also 2,000 times more likely to develop skin cancer than normal people. In addition, from around the age of 10, the disease is accompanied by neurological symptoms and a decline in motor skills.

The patient’s parents told us that they wanted him to participate in just one elementary school athletic event by the time he was about 10 years old, and that they wanted UV protective clothing that would give them peace of mind.
At the time, face guards were made of hard film, which would break and turn cloudy white when subjected to force, so they wanted something transparent, soft, and with a wide field of vision.

We were determined to create UV protective clothing that would completely cover the upper half of the body with just one piece of clothing, providing complete shielding.
Furthermore, since Japanese summers and athletic seasons are hot and humid, we wanted to create a clothing that would be comfortable enough to stay outside in for hours at a time.

Collaborators are scientists, dermatologists, and patient associations

: XPのお子さんを持つ方にもコメントいただく

: ファンの構造を教えていただく

: 空調服の師匠にデザインチェックを

: 試作についてコメントいただく

The production of the product was supported by a company that provided materials that completely block UV rays, a company that produces air conditioning fans, scientists who advised on the production of measuring equipment to test the UV shielding of the materials, dermatologists, and patients’ associations.
I was in charge of designing clothes that were simple, easy to move in and out of.

Our Products

This product is available in sizes from 120 cm (7 years old) to adult male. Of course, not only XP patients, but anyone with photosensitivity, skin cancer, lupus erythematosus, or collagen disease who cannot be exposed to UV light can purchase these products.

In addition, we are planning new easy-to-wear cape-type UV protective clothing for babies and kids, as well as front-opening UV protective clothing for adults.
These new products will be launched in January or February 2024.

Peekaboo Inc.
Kikuko Matsunari