They say it lowers body temperature by 10 degrees, why not use it? Korean Ajumma Item, America is also hooked

[Financial News]  In Asian countries like Korea, parasols are commonly used, and they are starting to become a new trend in America.

The New York Post reported on the 8th (local time) in an article titled 'UV Umbrellas are the Coolest Trend for Sun Protection' that as temperatures have recently soared, Americans are beginning to realize the effect of 'parasol' that most people around the world know.

They also introduced videos uploaded on TikTok and Instagram.

A TikToker named Amber Ferguson filmed herself walking on the road with an umbrella under the intense midday sun. In the video titled 'Season of Umbrellas', Ferguson argues, "We need to be honest with ourselves," and "In America, umbrellas should be used not only for rain but also to cool off from the heat."

She further explained the effect of parasols by saying, "My hat and fan are useless. The only thing that can stop me from melting here is an umbrella." 

The video has received over 4000 comments so far, showing a hot response.

People who watched the video also agreed with the use of parasols, saying, "We should treat the sun like rain," and "Umbrella in Spanish is 'Sombrilla', which means shade provider." 

Some netizens also shared tips for those considering buying parasols, saying, "There are parasols with UV protection," and "There are parasols with fans attached."


According to the New York Post, the reason umbrellas were invented 4000 years ago was also to block sunlight. The Britannica Encyclopedia states that Americans used umbrellas as a primary means of blocking sunlight until the 20th century.

Unlike the United States, which has given way to sunscreen and hats, Asian countries like China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand still carry parasols or umbrellas.

Dr. Helen Hee from Mount Sinai-Clinic Dermatology Center explained, "In these countries, it is common to see people carrying parasols on sunny days," and "This is due to a culture that values UV protection for cosmetic reasons such as preventing freckles, pigmentation, and premature aging."

In fact, parasols help moderately block UV rays, aiding in the production of vitamin D, while preventing sunburn, skin damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer caused by excessive UV exposure. They also have the effect of blocking infrared rays that make people feel hot.

Dr. Hee suggested, "Not all parasols are the same in terms of UV protection," and recommended "the best parasols are made with tightly woven fabric and have UV protection coating, known as 'UV parasols'."

She also introduced that like sunscreen shows its sunburn prevention effect with SPF index, parasols and clothing can measure UV protection effect through UPF index.

Dr. Hee advised, "Look for products with UPF 50+. This means it blocks more than 50% of UV rays," and "The larger the parasol, the more area it can protect, and darker colors absorb more sunlight, blocking harmful UV rays and heat."

She also recommended, "If you want a parasol with bright colors, choose one with black or silver reflective coating inside or outside," and advised, "Even when using a parasol, it's good to apply sunscreen and wear UV protection clothing. Avoid outdoor activities during the peak sunlight hours from 10 AM to 3 PM."

y27k@fnnews.com Seoyoung Kyung Reporter