With spring break coming up, it’s a good time to start thinking about sun protection. Everyone knows the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can damage your skin and increase your chances of skin cancer, but too many forget that serious fact when they’re having fun outdoors. If you’re forgetful about slathering on suntan lotion, clothing that is sun protecting is more readily available these days, and it’s cheaper than ever. This clothing has been treated with a chemical sunblock during the manufacturing process; many are tightly woven, which also increases their blocking capability. Most of these items have an ultraviolet protection factor of 40, 50 or higher – your plain old white T-shirt has a protection factor of 7, and if it’s wet, that drops to 3. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends several makers of sun protective garments. (You can download a list of companies and products which have earned their seal of approval, as well as learn skin cancer prevention tips, at www.skincancer.org.) SPFStore.com is one of those companies. They have T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, as well as aqua shirts and other swimwear. One of SPFStore’s most popular products is their cotton T-shirt for men, women and children, in all sizes and colors, short-sleeved or long-sleeved. These cost from $12.95 to $29.95. SPF Store sells children’s aqua shirts too. A long-sleeved floral print water shirt is $36, while a short-sleeved, more sporty-looking shirt is $30. A men’s long-sleeve Tuga swimming shirt, great for snorkeling or a long day at the beach, is $40 and has a sun protection factor of 50. Another good site recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation is Coolibar.com. Their men’s Sun Escape Shirt is a dressy, long-sleeve shirt, available in a variety of colors, for $59.95. All of the Coolibar items have a protection factor of 50 or higher. The Coolibar women’s embellished beach shirt is a pretty white coverup for beach or poolside for $79.95. Of course, even with these clothes, you still need to sunscreen for the uncovered parts of your body. But if you or your kids squirm with a long all-over lotion procedure, these could help get you to the pool a little faster.