May 23rd, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Parasols are stylish statement pieces for your garden and handheld parasol are often used in other countries as a way to protect from the harmful rays of the sun, however, do they really offer adequate sun protection or are they simply fashion statements or eye-catching centrepieces? In this blog, we will discuss how parasols work and whether they can offer UV protection.  

What Are Parasols?

Parasols come in a couple of different forms, you have larger outdoor parasols also known as patio umbrellas and small handheld parasols that can be carried around with you when you are walking around in the sun. They consist of a pole attached to a canopied structure and are designed to offer protection from the sun, unlike umbrellas which are designed to protect from rain and moisture.  

Parasols have been used for centuries as a form of sun protection and with Egyptians, Romans and Ancient Greeks having been some of the earliest civilisations that were thought to have used this method with their parasol being made of Papyrus or palm leaves. This soon spread to other parts of the world in China and Japan parasols became an integral part of traditional attire for women these were made of intricately designed silk or paper materials and they became a prominent feature in both Japanese and Chinese culture, used not only for sun protection but also as an elegant accessory. In Europe, parasols gained popularity among women in the Victorian era as fashion accessories as well as a means to offer protection from the sun. They were often made of delicate fabrics and adorned with lace, embroidery, or decorative trimmings.

With the development of more durable materials, now in the modern era garden parasols have become more popular and are commonly found in gardens and public spaces as a means to offer shade and sun protection.  So, as you can see parasols have quite a rich history, but the question is do they really offer protection?

Can Parasol Offer Sun Protection?

The short answer is – Yes. Parasols are actually a great way to offer protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun, especially with modern developments seeing improvements in the fabric that are better at sheltering us from the sun’s rays. They or often employed as a way to shield and offer shade, particularly in outdoor seating areas where people like to relax, socialise or dine during warm weather.

The canopied structure not only offers a shaded area which will help you to feel cool and comfortable during periods of hot weather, but they also block a significant amount of the sun's UV rays which will reduce the risk of sunburn. However, that being said parasols do have some restrictions and may not be able to protect you from the sun at all angles especially as the sun moves across the sky which is why it is always recommended to wear SPF lotion as well.

Parasol that uses reflective surfaces will also help keep things cool by bouncing back some of that heat energy instead of absorbing it into your body. Darker parasols while still effective will offer sun protection however they will absorb heat energy so they might not feel as cool, which is why light and neutral colours parasols are often a more popular and practical choice.

Sun Protection Comes in Two Types: UV and Thermal.

UV protection is important for your skin, as it protects you from the sun's rays that can cause damage to your skin. These rays also contribute to skin cancer, so it's important to wear sunscreen if you plan on spending time outside for extended periods of time, parasols can help to further protect you from these harmful rays. Thermal protection on the other hand is important for your comfort as well as health because it keeps you cool, if your body temperature becomes too high it can cause adverse effects on your health including dehydration or heatstroke.

The Right Kind of Parasol Can Offer Both

The right kind of Parasol can offer both, large canopies made with the right kind of material will create a shield between yourself and UV rays – with some Parasol such as the MYLEK range offering UV40 protection. As mentioned above, parasols in lighter colours such as Cream will reflect some of the sun’s rays absorbing less heat energy and keeping you cooler and preventing you from overheating.

You should also look for a parasol that offers a tilt function, as this will then allow you to alter the positioning of your parasol throughout the day to block out the sun as it moves across the sky, as this will provide better and more reliable coverage than a parasol that can only stay in one position.  

Can I Use A Parasol Only?

Parasols are undoubtedly a great way to keep you cool and protect against the effects of UV rays, when it comes to sun protection it is always important to employ multiple forms of protection to ensure you are completely protected, just as people will often wear caps are large brimmed hats with sun lotion to keep cool and block sun. The same goes for a parasol, they will help to block out a large number of the sun’s rays, however, they cannot always protect from every direction and some UV rays will still make their way through which is why you should always employ the use of an effective SPF lotion.

So, as we can see parasols have a long history of being used as sun protection and it is not difficult to see why, as they are a great way to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. If you're looking for something that will keep you cool while still providing protection from UV rays, then a tilt-open parasol is an excellent choice. Not only are they practical but they make for fantastic eye-catching centrepieces in your garden or outdoor seating area, new models also include the use of LED lights that make them attractive options from the moment the sun rises to long after it does down!

Glamhaus Solar LED Parasol - Cream

Price: £115.00

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