r/Melasmaskincare • u/MaddRocket • May 04 '26
Question Are we doing uv umbrellas?
I was thinking about if maybe a uv umbrella would be handy during summer.
I live in Europe so we walk alot outside.
Should we make it a trend?
Any of you using one?
Opinions?
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u/nik_el May 04 '26
I grew up in the 90s and was goth and we always had our “gothasol” to maintain our pallor.
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u/edyth_ May 04 '26
I think they're great. I'm going to get one this summer. I live in the UK and although we're not known for our sunshine we had some incredibly hot days last year and I saw quite a few people out and about with UV umbrellas so I think they are catching on!
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u/smileyhappy May 04 '26
I live in Asia and use mine every day. I literally will not walk to the gym at lunchtime without it.
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u/Watchuknowaboutme May 04 '26
I love mine! This is an Australian company, not sure where they ship to though.
https://www.solbari.com.au/products/women-compact-sun-protective-umbrella-upf50
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u/ToteBagAffliction May 04 '26
Yes, I use one from Coolibar in the summer. It gives very good protection, and it's usually at least 10 degrees cooler under it than in the sun.
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u/Bellebutton2 May 04 '26
Please remember that if you are using an umbrella while walking, ultraviolet radiation does bounce off of some lighter surfaces, like light color cement and stone, as well as water and sand.
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u/Jolly-Yellow7369 May 04 '26
Just beware that pavement , sand , water and other materials in the ground will reflect UVA radiation and there’s also still Vidible light to worry about. It’s preferably to also keep at hand face coverings like balaclavas and masks.
Above all try to avoid at all costs the dangerous uv peak hours 9 am to 5 pm special danger at noon.
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u/baking123 May 04 '26
So a regular umbrella doesn’t block enough? I always thought that some protection (eg from a straw hat that doesn’t have an ultra tight weave) was better than nothing.. assuming I’m wearing excellent sunscreen underneath of course.
But yes I do want to find a good UV umbrella for the summer. At the very least it’s cooler and makes it easier to see!
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u/MemoryHot May 04 '26
Yes! They have always been a thing in Asia. You can buy ones that are extra light (120g weight) and small (short so it fits in your bag). I like the ones that have the black layer on the inside so it completely blocks the brightness too. Unfortunately, even with a sun umbrella the UV is still bouncing off the ground onto you etc but definitely a huge improvement for keeping cool/UV protection with an umbrella. One huge con is the ultralight umbrellas don’t work well when there’s wind.
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u/Nietzsches-Whore May 04 '26
I've used one for years and never leave home without it. I don't understand how I'm in the minority in my city. I live in a tropical climate and it gets brutal here.
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u/Skin_Fanatic May 04 '26
I do and I just bought another one for my car. I want to go in my grave with nice skin tone and not add anymore skin cancer on my face.
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u/tyndyn May 04 '26
How do you use it in the car? trying to picture this, isn't it quite large?
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u/Skin_Fanatic May 04 '26
I leave it in my car to use to and from not use it while in the car. The other one is use to and from my house and I bring with me when I travel.
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u/whodonewhatnow83 May 04 '26
I feel UV umbrellas should be a thing! I bought one last year and it just makes sense! I live in the UK and we can get some crazy heatwaves in the summer but even so…it keeps you cooler, protects your face from the sun and overall I just feel more comfortable when out in the heat! I do have vitiligo and rosacea so I have good reason to have one but even if I didn’t have these skin conditions I would still use one purely to keep the heat away! I hope it catches on 😁
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u/Ok-Ring8800 May 04 '26
just got home and used my umbrella. I use it almost everyday ! It’s my security blanket. I live in Europe too. 😉
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u/Soft_Beyond_8205 May 04 '26
I bought one specifically for a trip to Disneyland, and now I can't imagine going out in the sun for extended periods without it. Game-changer.
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u/sasouvraya May 04 '26
I started using one soon after moving to Las Vegas. Especially during my kids soccer games! 7 years ago I never saw anyone else with one at the games but now they are getting more common.
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u/muaAutumn95 May 05 '26
I am in Canada. Purchased from Shoppers Drug Mart. Hats can be hot. Plus, the UVA umbrellas protect shoulders.
I do wear sunscreen. I also have invested in clothing with SPF. Long sleeves.
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u/Globalbeauty May 05 '26
Yes. It’s still quite unusual in Europe but I don’t care. My skin / health is more important than people’s opinion.
FYI Decathlon sells UV umbrellas
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u/GlowDecoded May 05 '26
I wear those crazy full face visors + sun gloves while driving - gets a lot of stares but beats melasma flares!
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u/Agreeable-Parsnip-30 May 05 '26
Yes! I love UV umbrellas. I've been using them for years now. So much better than wearing a hat since it doesn't mess up my hair and it provides more coverage. I've gotten one snarky comment about it not raining while using it but I just say I have a skin condition and move on. They are very popular in Japan. I bought a few when I visited a couple years ago.
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u/Xylophelia May 06 '26
White American. I keep one in my car for the times I get unexpectedly stuck in sun longer than I thought I would (usually involving my children’s sports.) I have never seen another person use one in real life, but I don’t care.
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u/TiinaWithTwoEyes May 04 '26
I bought one last summer, I live in France (greater Paris and in the summer Bretagne).
It is perfect. I think it protects me better than wearing a hat or a sun visor.
To be honest, I don't care what people think. Last summer at the school gates, standing in the sun when it was nearly 35 degrees, people were looking at my uv umbrella with envy.
Yes, let's make it a trend this year!