The team compared basic off-the-shelf rain umbrellas with one from Coolibar, a company that specializes in UV protective clothing. That same research found that umbrellas purpose-built for sun protection are highly effective at blocking harmful UV rays. A 2013 study of their effectiveness out of Emory University notes that “it remains to be determined if the handheld umbrella can be a socially acceptable form of sun protection in the United States.” How effective are parasols at blocking the sun?
#Sun umbrella skin
Almost across the board, skin protection recommendations from dermatologists trumpet sunscreen, sun hats, UV protective clothing, and sunglasses, but few offer up the parasol. Today, it appears that slinging a miniature beach umbrella over our shoulder on hot summer days simply doesn’t occur to us. Tech historians note that in Western culture, the parasol is tied largely to upper-class ladies, oh-so-very fussy and Edwardian, and faded out of fashion by the end of the 19 th century.
Turkey, though, is a standout one study found that umbrellas and hats are the most-common form of sun protection. Even in countries where the devices are common-including China and throughout the Middle East-they’re predominantly used by women. These efforts also hit on the key sun umbrella sticking point: Culturally, we struggle to get on board. [Related: The best beach umbrellas for a day of lounging. Consider this: After a government-run campaign to get more men carrying sun umbrellas to reduce incidents of heatstroke in Japan, officials reported that parasol-toting fellas sweat less than dudes donning sun hats. A thermometer reading won’t be any different, but avoiding solar radiation is key to finding chill. On average, shade can feel 10 to 15 degrees cooler than sunlight, offering respite from the blaze that generally leads to comfier living. What parasols do have on creams and lotions, however, is the ability to create a kind of microclimate. In fact, in a 2017 study published in JAMA Dermatology, subjects who slathered on SPF fared better against sunburn than those who simply camped out under their beach umbrellas more than two-thirds of the latter group had at least one burned spot by the following day, compared to just one-quarter of the SPF group. On the beach, for example, sunlight reflecting off the sand can still reach your skin. Why aren’t parasols more popular?įirst, let’s accept that parasols alone aren’t a one-and-done solution.
#Sun umbrella portable
A personal shield is, in fact, a one-two punch: Blocking UV rays can help reduce a person’s risk of skin cancer-the most common form of the disease in the US-while portable shade also offers relief from the heat. In the centuries since-given that being wet strikes many folks as less pleasant than being hot-the shields became more popular with the masses in the rain as opposed to in the sun.īut, as we experience greater incidents of record-breaking heat, the humble sun umbrella may be poised to claim its place in our everyday carry. The idea that they could also keep us dry didn’t arise until about 500 years ago. The first umbrellas, which date back thousands of years, were not meant to protect against precipitation, but to fend off the sun. At least that’s true if you consider the personal canopy’s origin story. Most Americans are using umbrellas wrong. From unrelenting sunshine to sizzling grills, feeling hot (and cooling down) are part of the daily grind now. PopSci is here to help you ease into the most scorching season with the latest science, gear, and smart DIY ideas.
Summer’s right around the corner, but the heat is already on. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
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