Although umbrellas are now known for staying dry on rainy days, they were originally invented to protect against the sun. Important people kept cool while avoiding harmful UV rays. It wasn't just a fashion statement or mark of distinction. For over 4,000 years, umbrellas have been used for protection against all the elements. This tradition continues even today! For example, almost half of women in China use umbrellas for shade. In some countries, hats and umbrellas are used more often than sunblock.
Modern-day researchers at Emory University investigated umbrella effectiveness. They found that all handheld umbrellas block harmful UV rays to an extent! White umbrellas were the least effective, blocking about three-quarters of UV radiation. Black umbrellas, even without special UV coatings, blocked at least 90% of UV radiation.
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Styles designed specifically for UV protection, however, are the most effective. See ours here: https://www.strombergbrand.com/uv-umbrellas
Fabric uses a UPF rating scale (Ultraviolent Protection Factor), similar to how sunscreen uses SPF ratings (Sun Protection Factor). UPF measures effectiveness versus UV-A and UV-B alike. The "minimum" standard is UPF 15, which blocks 93.3% of UV rays (anything lower than that isn't considered UV-protective; for example, UPF 5 only blocks 80% of harmful radiation). Protective fabrics typically start at UPF 30, which blocks 96.7% of UV radiation and is considered "very good" protection. UPF 40 blocks 97.5% of UV rays, while UPF 50 blocks 98% of UV rays, and UPF 50+ blocks more than 98%—up to 99.99%—of harmful UV rays. Anything at UPF 40 or higher is considered "excellent" protection; no textiles provide 100% protection.
Brundha Balaraman, a dermatology researcher at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, called umbrellas "great alternatives in situations where it may be impractical to apply sunscreen adequately... every one to two hours." She highlighted golfers and anyone in a warm sunny climate.
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Although umbrellas are effective sun protection, their usefulness rises when combined with other sun protection measures like hats. Everyone can use umbrellas as gifts! The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) found that umbrellas are kept longer than any other promotional product. And most people don't own promotional umbrellas, which creates a terrific opportunity to offer them something unique.
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Want to learn more? Find the top 5 markets for promo umbrellas and 10 reasons why umbrellas beat other gift-giving options.
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