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Titanium Beach Umbrella
Fourth of July weekend is all about barbecues, swimming, and fun in the sun. (Oh yeah, and America.) But being in the sun isn’t so great for your skin--especially if you’re running a little short on the melanin. Stand tall, pale folk of the world: You too can be daywalkers--if you prep accordingly.
Excessive sun exposure -- specifically, exposure to UV radiation -- can lead to skin cancer. And those of us with pale skin who don’t tan, who have relatives who’ve had skin cancers, who get moles, or who get severe sunburns are most at risk. To make matters worse, UV radiation is three times stronger in the summer than in winter. Eek! Don’t worry, you don’t have to seek refuge in a basement apartment until November. There are a number of weapons at your disposal in the war against skin cancer, and some might surprise you.
Above:
6’ Titanium Beach Umbrella, $90
If you’re hitting the beach, plunk your towel down under a big shady umbrella. The Coolibar's 6-foot diameter canopy is made of water repellant nylon, silver on top to reflect UV rays, green on the underside to absorb them. It stretches 7 feet tall when fully extended, but it packs up into a more modest 45-inch, 4-pound package when it’s time to leave. Good Housekeeping deemed a previous Coolibar model the “best beach umbrella out there.”All photos: Ariel Zambelich/Wired 
