More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, and about 9,800 will die, according to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). At greatest risk are people with many moles, fair skin or a family history of melanoma. Still, sun protection is essential for all. A few fresh ideas:

1. Spice up your laundry Rit Sun Guard purportedly elevates the UPF, or ultraviolet protectiveness, of typical washable summer wear by up to 600 percent in a single treatment. Good idea, but Bethesda dermatologist David Green says few people get sunburn through clothes. www.ritdye.com.

2. Wear arm and hand protection Shade sleeves, which run from the wrist up to the upper arm, are worn with short-sleeve shirts. Hand guards cover the outside of hands and fingers but are more open than gloves. Hokey? Sure, but they can work where imperfectly applied sunscreens fail, says Fairfax surgeon Andrew Montemarano. www.sunprecautions.comor 800-882-7860.

3. Dress for sun success Sun-protective clothing is lightweight but tightly woven, with strategically placed ventilation, and sometimes contains titanium dioxide, a broad-spectrum sunblock. www.solartex.com, www.coolibar.com or www.sundayafternoons.com.

4. Install auto window film Most cars' windshields block UVA and UVB rays; side and rear windows don't block UVA. Install clear window film to do the job. Visit www.llumar.com or 888-288-7445 (888-2-UVSHIELD).

5. Apply combined sunscreen-insect repellent When sunscreen is used with a DEET-containing insect repellent, the screen's effectiveness is reduced by one-third, says Montemarano. But a single product containing both takes this effect into account, preserving its SPF rating. www.drugstore.com or your local pharmacy or grocery store.

-- Rebecca R. Kahlenberg