Skin cancer is a type of cancer that develops within the tissues of the skin. This type of cancer develops when your DNA becomes damaged by years of bombardment and abuse and your body is unable to repair this damage. The damaged cells will then begin to enlarge and then divide over and over again, causing visible polyps or tumors. This can be seen in a great deal of our elderly population who spent years working outdoors unprotected from harmful rays and now have weakened immune systems.
Unfortunately, skin cancer is on the rise and affects more and more of our population. Doctors recommend that when we go out we wear protective sunscreen, or that we attempt to shield our bodies from as much of the harmful rays as possible.
Protection from sun exposure is vital. Ultraviolet (UV) rays don’t discern between our Isle and that of the Caribbean. UV rays will reach you on cloudy days or overcast locations just as they would in more sunny and warm locales. UV rays can reflect off of light surfaces like water, sand, snow, or even cement.
Nowadays, companies are using this information to create products that have built in sun-protection. Clothing is being developed with UV protection—yes, you can get sun damage through your clothing! Sunglasses now have extra UV protection built in. And outdoor goods are also starting to contain SPF and/or being built in ways such as to minimize harmful sun exposure.
Everyone loves to go outdoors, to sit in one’s garden and enjoy the simple pleasures of Nature’s beauty, but not everyone loves getting a sunburn, and no one loves getting skin cancer. When you purchase a garden umbrella or parasol you are not only buying a decorative piece for your garden patio set, but you are also purchasing added protection from the elements.
Garden parasols will shield you from more than just the rain. They can protect you from the sun’s damaging UV rays and help to prevent skin cancer. With changes in technologies parasols can now provide a complete barrier to UV rays. If you suffer from fair skin, rosacea, or have already been diagnosed with skin cancer or sun damage you will definitely want to ask your garden and home centre specialists if they carry parasols with UV protection. Ask your specialists if the item you would like to purchase has a UPF rating (UV Protection Factor), and if so what is it. Most sun parasols will have a rating of 50 or higher.
Garden umbrellas are usually purchased separately from the table so you can find a size or shape to fit your level of protection or décor style. They are sold in all sizes and various shapes. There are garden umbrellas that are completely round, and some that hexagonal or octagonal. The more elegant and chic garden umbrellas can be found with two levels of canopies, or even embedded with faerie lights. Garden parasols come in pretty much every color in the rainbow, and some manufacturers make umbrellas using prints and designer fabrics.
The mechanisms in garden umbrellas are like-wise varied. You can purchase umbrellas that use cranks to raise the canopy, as well as, pegs and chains. Pegs need to be inserted whilst the umbrella is opened in order to hold its position, and you just remove the peg when you want to close it. Cantilever umbrellas can be tilted in different directions so that you can achieve maximum protection from exposure. Just tile the parasol in the direction of the sun’s position on the horizon and—voila! Instant protection! You can also purchase garden umbrellas that do all of this via an automatic remote control. How’s that for ease?
When purchasing garden umbrellas you are looking at three things: cost, form, and function. Cheaper materials such as aluminum will produce cheaper parasols. More expensive products (redwood, wrought iron, etc) will of course raise the price of the umbrella. Just remember that when you go to set up the garden umbrella that weight also matters. The cheaper umbrellas usually weigh less and are more easily moved from location to location. The cantilever, automatic, or wrought iron pieces are tons heavier than the less constructed counterparts.
Another type of “umbrella” or “parasol” is called the “shade sail”. Shade sails are a contemporary-looking version of the garden umbrella that you see on a lot of the DIY shows. Share sails, or “sun sails”, are basically just large swaths of UV and weather-resistant fabric that can be stretched, hung, or draped across poles, trees, or over hangs on your house. They provide UV protection for patios and open decks, stretching across various points on your deck to create a romantic hideaway in your own garden. They can be small or large depending on the manufacturer. They don’t have the upright support position of the typical garden umbrella but they do cover a wide area and sometimes can be very cost efficient.
Garden umbrellas should be both functional and beautiful. Look for something in your price range that is attractive and you won’t have to worry about buyer’s remorse. Yes, cheaper umbrellas are…cheap, but they are also…cheap. They don’t last as long as the more expensive brands. They fade, the fall to the elements, and they might give you a year or two, but not much more than that before they become an eyesore. If you can afford a better umbrella, purchase it and you won’t be sorry.
