How much sunlight passes through parasols?

Most people feel safe from the sun when they are simply staying in the shade. Free from sunscreen, free from the sun’s warm rays, and free from sunglasses or squinting eyes. It is wonderful to lie under a parasol, but the problem is that you are not at all safe from the sun’s rays, even though it may seem that way.

You shield yourself from the sun, yes! But the sun’s rays are tricky, and that means you only shield yourself from about half of the sun’s rays. But how can that be? The sun’s rays are reflected in almost everything they hit, so you are still exposed to the strong UV radiation.

Can you get sunburned under a parasol?

Maybe you have experienced it yourself? Lying safely in the shade all day only to come home and discover that you have actually turned as red as a tomato. If you lie under a parasol by the pool in the garden or perhaps on a deck chair under a parasol on the beach, the sun’s rays will reflect off the sand and water and indirectly hit your body under the shade of the parasol.

Here it is also necessary to take into account the condition of the textile. It can be anything from thickness, color, and finishing that affects how much sun penetrates through. As a rule of thumb, however, we will always recommend that you protect yourself from the sun in the same way as you would if you were to stay directly in the sun’s rays.

How do you secure a parasol with the most protection?

You can advantageously choose a parasol with a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor. UPF measures the amount of UV rays that penetrate the parasol’s material and reach the skin. This is often stated in the description when you buy a new parasol.

It is a good idea to choose a parasol with a UPF factor of 50+ to achieve the most protection.

Get control of your sun protection with a parasol

Shade is your best friend when you want to avoid the sun’s rays – but staying under the parasol rarely suffices on its own. Just as sunscreen can’t always save you from sunburn when you’re baking in the sun, a parasol can’t always save you either. Therefore, you should always apply sunscreen, even when you are in the shade.

If you are not a fan of sunscreen, you can also wear a bit more clothing when staying under the parasol. A pair of slightly longer shorts and a T-shirt can work wonders – especially if you are already a little red.

Get ready for the sun’s sharp rays

The function of the parasol is therefore more convenient than practical. It is certainly pleasant to have shade so you avoid lying drenched in sweat due to the sun’s warm rays, but it cannot replace all the other measures we should take to protect the skin in the blazing sun and the strong UV rays.