When most people think of umbrellas, they think of rain. While it is true that umbrellas provide protection from the rain, umbrellas can also offer protection from the sun’s intense ultraviolet (UV) light. Exposure to excessive UV radiation can cause a great deal of skin damage, causing your skin to age prematurely and increasing your risk for health issues, such as skin cancer.
In this post, we will explain why umbrellas with UV protection should be considered alongside sunscreen and protective clothing as part of a multi-pronged approach to protecting yourself and your skin health.
Do All Umbrellas Protect You from the Sun?
Although the answer to the question of “can umbrellas block UV rays?” is clearly yes, the truth is that not all umbrellas are designed with sun protection in mind, and even beach umbrellas are not always completely effective at preventing UV exposure.
Anything that helps cut the glare of the sun’s harmful rays is better than nothing, but just like sun protective clothing provides more protection than a basic cotton shirt, sun umbrellas reduce UV exposure better than a run-of-the-mill umbrella.
A beach umbrella or a parasol is a great example of a typical UV umbrella, but there are fully functioning handheld umbrella options, such as Rumbrella’s UV Stick Umbrella, that are UPF50+, blocks over 99% UV rays protect against the sun. With the right UV umbrella in hand, you can enjoy a sunny day and stay safe from the full spectrum of UV light, including UVB rays.
How to Choose the Right Umbrella for UV Protection
Of course, you can’t expect protection from the sun’s rays without the right umbrella. UV umbrellas are made with specific fabrics that block more sunlight. In addition, since they are commonly used at the beach and while on the go, they tend to be designed for portability and are more lightweight than heavy-duty rain umbrellas.
It is important to understand that even the best UV umbrella is not a replacement for sunscreen. But they do play an important role in your efforts to avoid the harmful effects of the sun. Wearing sunscreen and setting up a UV umbrella at the beach, for instance, is one of the best ways to protect yourself. As a side note, remember to choose a sunscreen with at least SPF of 60 or higher for the most safety.