UV face masks, cooling ties: how cultures beyond Europe cope with heat

Different countries, different customs: while in Germany, for example, people tend to loosen their tie or leave it off altogether when it gets very hot, in Japan it is simply turned into a cooling cloth – in the form of cooling ties with small cold packs or special gel inserts sewn into them. Some have terry cloth on the side that lies against the neck, which also soaks up sweat.

Japan is in general considered particularly inventive when it comes to getting through the summer. Many of these methods at first seem unusual to Europeans, but they are based on simple physiological principles: from a scientific point of view, cooling the neck, wrists, armpits and groin is especially effective, because major blood vessels run close to the skin there. That is why Japanese cooling tricks can in fact achieve more than their slightly quirky appearance suggests to us.

Neck-cooling ice rings are also very popular in Japan. Cooling the neck area can reduce the sensation of heat in the whole body. A colour-coordinated towel around the neck, which is dampened from time to time, is often simply part of a summer outfit.

Tenugui cloths, small, thin traditional cotton towels that are moistened and worn discreetly under shirt collars, suits or hats, are also a common way of cooling down there.

Protection against overheating: a cult object from Europe’s aerobics era

In the 1980s, especially during the aerobics boom, they were a real classic in Europe: headbands (often in neon colours at the time) and matching terry sweatbands for the wrists. For the Japanese they are above all an everyday aid, which they keep moistening to cool the skin at the pulse points.

Handheld electric fans or folding fans are, of course, also a normal part of daily life; they are often worn as an accessory around the neck or wrist, not only in Japan but also in China.

In China, various types of face masks have also become established in recent years as sun protection. The best known is the so-called “facekini”, a hood made of elastic fabric that leaves only the eyes, nose and mouth exposed.

What this looks like can be seen in the lead photo above, which shows a tourist from China taking pictures on the Römerberg square in Frankfurt am Main. Originally developed in coastal regions such as Qingdao, it was used mainly by bathers to protect their skin from intense UV radiation while swimming. The city of millions lies directly on the Yellow Sea, roughly halfway between the metropolises of Shanghai and Beijing, and is also known for its “Tsingtao beer”, which is exported worldwide.

“Facekinis” in China

Over time, the concept of face masks in China has evolved. Today, lightweight, everyday UV-protection masks made from breathable technical fabrics such as “ice silk” are widespread. The modern versions are thin, elastic and often come with UV protection ratings (UPF 50+). They are also commonly worn in day-to-day life.

The masks stand not only for a pragmatic adaptation to climatic conditions, but also for cultural ideas about skincare and beauty.

Huge hats made from natural materials are often worn particularly by women, frequently with a light cloth underneath that can be repeatedly moistened and is intended to protect against heatstroke.

One striking feature: in hot weather, people in China often prefer warm or lukewarm drinks, a practice rooted in the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), according to which intense cold can throw the inner body out of balance. It is also believed that very cold drinks strain the stomach and that the body then has to expend extra energy on temperature regulation, whereas warm drinks are considered gentler and can support natural sweating as a means of evaporative cooling.

Other countries outside Europe tend to rely on three basic ideas: 1. evaporative cooling through water and air movement, 2. shade and architecture, and 3. thermal mass provided by thick walls made of earth or stone.

Traditional Navajo and Pueblo techniques in the south-west of the United States use buildings made of clay and stone with small window openings and shading overhangs and verandas.

While modern houses, for example in Germany, focus primarily on thermal insulation and energy efficiency, buildings in the Pueblo tradition, thanks to their high heat-storage capacity, provide relatively stable indoor temperatures – they remain comparatively cool in summer and stay warm for longer in winter.

Further south, Mexicans like to wear very light, loose cotton clothing. Their homes are also often built with thick adobe walls that buffer indoor temperatures. Many houses have inner courtyards that serve as natural “cool islands” and noticeably lower the temperature. The siesta – a midday rest during the hottest part of the day – is of course part of everyday life.

Damp cloths in windows in Egypt

Traditional wind towers (malqaf) in Egypt channel cooler outside air into houses, while courtyards with pools and plants also lower the microclimate through evaporative cooling. The principle is this: when a wet cloth is hung in or in front of a window, the water in the fabric evaporates. This evaporation requires energy, which is drawn from the surroundings in the form of heat. As a result, the air flowing past the damp cloth cools down.

In many regions of India, traditional cooling methods based on simple physical principles are also used. A central element is the so-called “mitti” cooling system, in which unglazed clay pots cool water naturally through evaporation. In addition, many people wear damp cotton cloths or very light cotton clothing to regulate their body temperature more effectively. Evaporation is also used deliberately indoors, for instance with damp jute mats or curtains that noticeably cool the surrounding air.

Drinks made from yoghurt, buttermilk or tamarind are popular because they not only provide fluids but also replace electrolytes.

In many traditionally hot countries, people generally favour light, water-rich foods such as soups or melons.

In conclusion, the differences between European countries and those on other continents lie less in “better” or “worse” methods than in a combination of familiar climate, building styles, everyday habits and historical development.

Outside Europe, passive, architectural and culturally embedded cooling strategies often predominate, whereas in Europe technical and short-term solutions are more likely to be in the foreground. Many Asian countries are also moving strongly towards small-scale, very everyday technical solutions designed to regulate heat not via buildings but via the human body itself.