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

Different countries, different customs: while in Germany people tend to loosen their tie or leave it off altogether in extreme heat, 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 in. Some have towelling fabric on the side that lies on the neck, which also soaks up sweat.

Japan is regarded as particularly inventive when it comes to getting through the summer. Many of these methods may 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 surface of the skin there. That is why these Japanese cooling tricks can in fact achieve more than their slightly quirky appearance suggests to us.

Cooling rings worn around the neck are also very popular in Japan. When the neck area is cooled, the body’s overall perception of heat can decrease. A colour-coordinated towel casually draped round the neck, which is moistened from time to time, is often simply part of a typical summer outfit.

Tenugui cloths – small, thin traditional cotton towels that are dampened and discreetly worn 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 at the height of the aerobics boom, they were a real classic in Europe: headbands (often in neon colours at the time) and matching towelling wrist sweatbands. For the Japanese they are above all a practical aid for everyday life, which they repeatedly moisten to cool the skin at the pulse points.

Handheld fans or folding fans are, of course, also an everyday item; they are often worn as an accessory around the neck or on the wrist, not only in Japan but also in China.

In China, various types of face masks have also become established as sun protection in recent years. Particularly well 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 main photo above, which shows a tourist from China taking pictures on the Römerberg square in Frankfurt am Main. Initially developed in coastal regions such as Qingdao, it was mainly used by bathers to protect their skin from intense UV radiation while swimming. The metropolis of several million inhabitants lies directly on the Yellow Sea, roughly halfway between the mega-cities of Shanghai and Beijing, and is also known for its “Tsingtao” beer, exported worldwide.

“Facekinis” in China

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

The masks represent not only a pragmatic adaptation to climatic conditions, but also cultural ideas about skin care and aesthetics.

Huge hats made from natural materials are often worn, especially by women, frequently with a light scarf underneath that can be regularly moistened and is intended to help prevent heatstroke.

Interestingly, in China people often prefer warm or lukewarm drinks in hot weather. This goes back to concepts from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), according to which intense cold can throw the body’s internal balance off kilter. It is also assumed that very cold drinks put a strain on the stomach and that the body then has to expend additional energy on temperature regulation, whereas warm drinks are considered gentler and can support natural sweating and evaporative cooling.

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

The traditional Navajo and Pueblo building techniques in the south-west of the United States use structures of clay and stone with small window openings and shade-providing overhangs and verandas.

Whereas modern houses, for example in Germany, focus primarily on thermal insulation and energy efficiency, buildings in the Pueblo tradition make use of their high heat-storage capacity to keep indoor temperatures relatively stable – comparatively cool in summer and warm for longer in winter.

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

Damp cloths in windows in Egypt

Traditional windcatchers (malqaf) in Egypt channel cooler outside air into houses, while inner courtyards with pools and plants also lower the microclimate through evaporative cooling. Damp cloths are often hung in front of windows. The principle is this: when a wet cloth is hung in 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 parts of India, too, traditional cooling methods are used that are based on simple physical principles. A central element is the so-called “mitti” cooling system, in which unglazed earthenware pots cool water naturally through evaporation. In addition, many people wear damp cotton cloths or very light cotton garments to regulate their body temperature more effectively. Evaporation is also deliberately used indoors, for example 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 replenish electrolytes.

In many countries with traditionally hot climates, light, water-rich foods such as soups or melons are generally favoured.

In conclusion, the differences between European countries and those on other continents are less about “better” or “worse” methods and more about a combination of familiar climate, building styles, everyday practices and historical development.

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