At resorts around the world, vacationers on the beaches are offered to rent an umbrella - supposedly it will help prevent sunburn. We checked whether this is an effective tool.
Beach umbrella as a way to protect from sunburn Discuss Users forums, social networks and services questions and answers. According to some vacationers, umbrellas are so effectively protecting from the sun that it is impossible to even light under them. Some doctors Markthat if you hide from the sun under an umbrella, you can avoid the risk of cancer skin diseases.
Hiding from the sun in the shade is a logical measure of protection from sunlight. However, in the case of umbrellas, not so simple. Firstly, everything depends on Type of fabric. The fabric treated with special chemical compounds can block up to 98% of sunlight, as well as a cream with a protection factor of 50. However, there is no guarantee that it is from such fabric that umbrellas are made that can be rented on the beach or buy in a regular resort store. Secondly, the danger to the skin is not only direct sunlight, but also Reflected from other surfaces. So, water and grass reflect less than 10%of rays, while sand - up to 15%, and sea foam - up to 25%. The snow is best reflected in the sun (up to 80%!). On snowdrifts, people usually do not sunbathe, but as for the beach holidays, even if the umbrella is made of high -quality sunscreen, a person who rests under it will still receive a rather significant dose of ultraviolet rays.
In 2014, American scientists conducted study: They invited 81 volunteers with approximately the same skin phototype and offered to spend about three and a half hours in the August sun in Texas. The participants in the experiment were divided into two groups: 41 people were hiding from the sun with the help of a beach umbrella, another 40 people used a cream with a high factor in protection against sunlight. After a day, scientists examined the skin of the subjects. Cases of sunburn were recorded in both groups, but in the first the victims were three times more than in the second. If we count each area of the skin damaged by the sun, then the difference was even more significant: 142 in a group with umbrellas versus 17 in a group with cream.
To similar results earlier They came and Spanish scientists. They did not at the risk of subjects and used a special sensor, which was placed in the sun under the umbrella and without it. Although the umbrella was made of material that passed only 5% of direct sunlight, the sensor still “received” about 34% of ultraviolet radiation from reflected and multiple radiation on the sides.
To similar results earlier They came and Spanish scientists. They did not at the risk of subjects and used a special sensor, which was placed in the sun under the umbrella and without it. Although the umbrella was made of material that passed only 5% of direct sunlight, the sensor still “received” about 34% of ultraviolet radiation from reflected and multiple radiation on the sides.
Thus, even if you choose an umbrella from a fabric intended for protection from the sun for a trip to the beach, it is not completely safe to sunbathe under it - it will protect from direct sunlight from above, but not from the sides reflected. In addition, for the most effective protection, it is necessary to constantly rearrange the umbrella and/or change your location under it depending on the movement of the sun. Otherwise, the parts of the body, which are out of the shadow, will be subjected to ultraviolet radiation in full.
Photo on the cover: Mikhail Nilov
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