Does clothing of any kind offer adequate protection against the sun from the parts that aren covered?
-Teresa, Brookline, MA A: Yes, clothing can provide some sun protection. And, though the common belief is that darker clothing attracts more light than lighter options, it actually prevents nearly all UV radiation — the type that comes from sunlight and can increase your chances of developing skin cancer — from hitting your skin. Clothing made from tightly woven fabric such as denim is also very protective — much more so than items made from looser weaves, like gauze or a typical cotton T-shirt. (A white cotton tee only has a sun protection factor, or SPF, of about 7.) Trying to choose something to wear on a day when you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors? Hold it up to the sun — if you can see light through it, UV rays can get through, too. If you simply must sport something skimpy, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 before you go out in the sun, and reapply as directed on the bottle. Another option if you’re looking to play it safe? Sun-protective clothing — it really do
