Protection from the Sun
Quality shade sails can reduce your exposure to harmful UV rays. Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, including the highest rate of melanoma. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, largely due to significant exposure to the sun. Many people think skin cancer is harmless; however, each year, more than 2,000 Australians die from this disease. Therefore, prevention is critical. The good news is most cases of skin cancer can be prevented by limiting your exposure to the sun.
Overexposure to UV rays damages skin cells and is responsible for 95% of skin cancers in Australia. Many believe you have to stand in the sun to get burnt. In reality, you can be exposed to UV directly or indirectly. Direct exposure refers to standing in the sun without any protection. Indirect exposure occurs when sunlight reflects off other objects, like water or sand, onto your skin. Sunburn and skin damage can occur in just 15 minutes. Additionally, exposure to UV rays can damage the eyes as well as the skin. Therefore, wearing just a hat will not be sufficient for protection.
However, there is good news. Research has shown that quality shade can reduce exposure to UV rays by up to 75%.
Natural shade, such as trees, is an important source of this protection. However, it cannot always provide the protection you need. Some trees can also drop debris or have negative health impacts. If careful consideration is not taken, roots may interfere with nearby buildings and gas and water connections. Built shade, such as a shade sail, can provide added protection to your home or business.
However, you should carefully consider the type of shade sail you install. This is because not all shade sails will provide the same level of protection. Research has shown that UV rays can penetrate poor-quality shade. In addition, careful design of shade sails is required to avoid exposure to indirect UV rays. For example, choosing the material that your shade sail is made from as well as its size and shape can affect the level of protection your shade sail provides.
The location of your shade sail can also affect how much protection it provides. You should position shade sails carefully to ensure maximum protection is provided at the time of day when it is needed most.