Health & Wellbeing

Chilling foam and gel in spray-cans cool down Japan this summer

Chilling foam and gel in spray-cans cool down Japan this summer
Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
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Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
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Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
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Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
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Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
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Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
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While some inventions originating in Japan can seem a little quirky by Western standards, many of those are at the same time rather innovative. This is certainly the case with the cooling foams and gels in spray-cans, which are cooling down Japanese city-dwellers this summer.

Many readers now enjoying summer in the Northern Hemisphere perhaps don't mind dealing with the heat by using air-conditioners, but many of the power-conscious citizens of Japan reportedly do. According to the Japan Trends website, chilling foams and gels in spray-cans aren't particularly new, but this season they have become a hit product. The whole idea is a part of the "setsuden" (energy saving) trend, currently gaining popularity among the Japanese.

One of the cooling products is a blue foam called "Hokkyoku Monogatari" (directly translated: "tales of the North Pole"), which sets after being sprayed onto the skin. It can be then molded into any shape, such as a bracelet or necklace, or it can be sprayed onto one's body like graffiti, all providing the user with a chilling sensation.

Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)
Some Japanese city-dwellers are cooling down with the use of spray-on foam and gel this summer (Photo: Japan Trends)

Ice Spark is another Japanese solution for dealing with the heat. It comes in the form of a gel that "fizzes on the user's skin," and gets as cold as -9 degrees Celsius (15.8 °F). The gel dries up completely after a few seconds. It reportedly has a crisp citrus scent, and can be used as a deodorant.

There's no word on how safe either product is, but the video below shows how they're used:

Japanese Summer Cooling Sprays - ShiftEast.com

View gallery - 4 images
13 comments
13 comments
Facebook User
I hate to be a cold, wet blanket, but how much energy is used to make those cans, gather together the materials, mix it all up, assemble and paint, and then run it to the store? I tend to think you could run your AC for days and days and use less energy, if that was your aim. Or, you could use a cold, wet blanket (or cloth) and really save some energy. Silk works well for that, and I hear they have some of that in Japan.
Michael Gene
How long does the cooling effect last, wouldn\'t think very long at all. What kind of residue is left on the skin, can it be peeled off and does it take a westerners arm hairs with it.
Mr Stiffy
Speaking of \"Shit for brains\" solutions - what ever happened to a wet and wrung out small towel, scarf or face washer?
I mean REALLY?
Arf
What an EXCELLENT, idiotic solution. The heat got to someone there.
David Cole
I would think this would be a good solution for use on heat stress victims. A cool drink and a cold compress still work fine but in an emergency kit this might be pretty useful.
Adrian Akau
I believe that spray to the surface of the skin should be developed to hold in heat for people facing cold conditions in emergency situations. It might be consdiered part of standard rescue/survival equipment.
Gregg Eshelman
OK, where\'s the Rule 34 images for this stuff? ;)
Mr Stiffy
What ever happened to a spashing your face in the sink or sticking your head in a bucket or bowl full of water?
Or a garden hose?
A SLOW running fan and a water spray or wet bed sheets, or a wide brim hat?
A big cup of iced tea?
Or a lay down in the shade?
Or the ubiquitious sports drink bottle - streamed urine style, over your face and head...
A wet T shirt.....
Lay under a wet towel....
I just can\'t think of a more idiotic, costly, ineffective, hassle to remember, carry and use, and probably not get much use from over a long hot summer, kind of a stupid solution.
A sink full of water and a splash of the face and hair and a quick wipe... Ohhh wonderful.
Conny Söre
What is the \"energy-budget\" on tnis stuff? I also want to know how much energy is spent to create whatever amount of chilling energy theese bottles contain. If it is possible to expose bare skin then water in a spraybottle is my favorite chiller. especially if you spray on your legs.
Slowburn
Silly but if it makes a profit, I\'m all for the manufacturers to continue making it. Even if I wont be buying it.
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