With an ever increasing awareness of the dangers of the sun, more and more people are turning to parasols as a practical and attractive way to cover up. Hats are great, but can cause the dreaded hat head, while a parasol creates a whimsical conversation piece. Though some umbrella makers claim to have special UV protection or SPF numbers, actually all umbrellas convey significant sun protection. Darker ones carry up to 95 percent protection from UV rays. When using a parasol for sun protection, don't forget to wear sunglasses to protect the delicate eye area and use sunscreen as well for even more precaution.