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Most of her customers are reformed sun worshippers who have battled skin cancer or other skin issues resulting from too much sun, including wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots. They're typically 35 and older, have fair or sensitive skin, and do their best to stay completely out of the sun.

Another tool

Kyle Law jokes about what she usually tells clients at Raleigh's Blue Water Spa.

"People ask 'How long do I need to stay out of the sun after a face lift or laser treatment?' and I say 'Forever.' I'm only kind of joking about that," says Law, president the medical spa she runs with her husband who is plastic surgeon Michael Law.

A sun umbrella? Not something she uses to protect herself or her children from the sun (they have sun protection shirts, sunglasses, hats and sunscreen for the pool.) But is it a realistic option? "I'm all about using as many tools as you have," Law says. "Use them all."

Perry admits that some people think carrying a parasol a little funny at first. But as more of her clients become savvier about sun damage "they don't care about walking around with a parasol," she says.

Lisa Chase, too, says she used to feel a little silly when she would go out on the beach with a sun umbrella.

"Now I'm not the only one out there," says Chase, whose online business www.shadyladyproducts.com, sells sun umbrellas. "It's so great to see these pop-up tents and umbrellas. Five years ago you didn't see that."

She thinks it's a better alternative than a hat, which can easily ruin hair in summer and make you sweaty on a tough July or August day.

"Definitely do whatever you can to stay out of the sun," says Anna Porrazzo, owner of Synergy Day Spa in Raleigh's Glenwood Village, which encourages using a broad-based, physical sunblock (without chemicals), and reapplying often.

"Skin cancer will kill you."

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