SUNSCREEN FOR KIDS: What Every Parent Should Know

The hot summer sun is here and there are extra daylight hours. Routine activities seem hard to perform in hot summer due to the severity of sunlight and heat.

If there aren’t any restrictions for going outside, it will will be hard to keep children inside. While they are outside, it is necessary to protect kids from the hot sun and its damaging rays.  You can protect kids by keeping them out of the sun between 10am and 4pm, have them wear big hats, have them wear sunglasses and/or apply sunscreen on them.

Kids may find sunglasses and big hats cumbersome while they are playing. Since sunscreen is rubbed into skin, it will not slow them down when they play.

Why Your Kids Should Wear Sunscreen?

Skin cancer is becoming more common. If kids use sunscreen, they can decrease of obtaining diseases such as skin cancer. The following are some of the most common reasons why your kids should wear sunscreen.

Lowers Skin Cancer Risks

Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that are the primary cause of skin cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 85,686 cases of melanoma in the year 2017, and 8,056 people died of melanoma in the same year. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Sunscreens can prevent various types of skin cancer, especially melanoma, as found by the Melanoma Research Foundation. So, you can protect your kid’s skin by applying sunscreen.

Minimizes The Suns Impact on Scars

Due to a lot of physical activity, physical accidents are common with kids. If a kid gets a wound, sun protection may help reduce any discoloration. While it is healing, you protect it from the sun with a band aid. After it has healed, you may protect the wound from the sun with sunscreen. This is recommended by the Skin Care Foundation and the American Academy of Dermatology.

Avoids Painful Burns and Multi-cultural Skin Tone

Kids with naturally dark skin may have lower chances to develop painful burns. However, it is not a universal truth because children can develop burns whenever they are exposed to the sun especially in the peak hours. The level of sunburn will be high if the UV rays are intense in the atmosphere. Sunburn causes itching, redness, and swelling of the skin. The outer layer of the kid’s skin may develop redness along with small-sized pimples. The use of sunscreen provides an excellent shield against sunburn.

Fights Against Acne

Teens can develop acne when they are in the sun for a long period of time. However, this problem is also among kids with unblemished skin. For this condition, visit the nearest dermatologist and use the recommended sunscreen for the kids. Additionally, try to avoid going outside between 10am and 4pm.

Other Reasons to Use Sunscreen

• The use of sunscreen prevents skin tanning among babies. 
• It prevents pimples and infection on the outer skin layer of the kids.
• Elastin, Collagen, and Keratin are the three most important components for the skin. You protect them from harmful rays when you apply them on kid’s outer skin.
• It offers long-term benefits for baby skin and prevents any damage by blocking the UV rays.
• The Ozone layer is depleting, and it can’t stop dangerous UV rays. So, it is a wise option to use sunscreen for kids.
• It makes kids responsible and caring towards their skin.
• Sunscreen maintains the even tone of the kid’s skin.

When to Apply Sunscreen?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some recommendations about applying sunscreen for kids. Apply on the skin 30 minutes before going outside so that it can be absorbed properly. You can apply sunscreen daily.

The Australian College of Dermatologists does not recommend sunscreen if the baby is under the age of 6 months. This is because the baby’s skin is very sensitive. Once it is time to use the sunscreen, apply only a small amount of sunscreen on a small part of the body and use it sparingly.

Things to Consider Before Buying Sunscreen for the Kids

1. SPF Recommendation: The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne recommends SPF30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen for kids. While, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the SPF of sunscreen should be at least 15. Due to conflicting recommendations, you may want to err on the side of caution and use SPF 30. At a minimum, you should use SPF 15.
2. Choices: Sunscreen is available in spray, lotions, mineral, and sweat sunscreens as recommend experts of Unity Point Health.
3. Ingredients: Experts of Nationwide Children’s Hospital recommends checking the label if it contains zinc oxide, avobenzone, and titanium dioxide. The sunscreen must contain one of these ingredients.
4. Visit the Doctor: Some sunscreens contain harmful or dangerous ingredients that may cause side effects. Always consult your doctor and don’t buy if it contains harmful ingredients.
5. Skin Condition: Always consider the kid’s skin condition when purchasing. For example, do they have photosensitivity, any skin cancer risk factor, and/or skin condition (acne-prone, sensitive, dry, and oily). If so, it is probably a good idea to consult the kid’s doctor before purchasing sunscreen.
6. Sunscreen for Oily Skin: CDC recommends water-based sunscreen if you have acne or oily skin.
7. Price: Always consider the budget. Find the most effective sunscreen that will not break your budget. Checking reviews and doctor’s recommendations on sunscreens may be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who Can Use Sunscreen?

A: Everyone can use sunscreen except babies under the age of 6 months, according to the Skin Care Foundation.

Q: Is Sunscreen Safe to Use?

A: Yes! Both physical and chemical sunscreens are safe to use.

Q: Can I Use Sunscreen While Pregnant?

A: Yes

Q: Where Should You Apply Sunscreen?

A: You can apply it to the entire body of the kid. However, applying it on the exposed parts such as the face, ear, neck, scalp, knee, and feet provides the best protection.

Q: How much sunscreens Should You Apply?

A: According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, apply enough sunscreen to cover skin that is not covered with clothing. For adults, this is typically 1 ounce. Therefore, the quantity is typically be less for kids.

Summary

Kids are very sensitive, and they have soft skin. Sunscreen prevents damage to their skin and blocks the sun’s dangerous UV rays. Therefore, please order sunscreen and consider these recommendations before you purchase sunscreen.

By the way, if there are some rainy days when you kids can’t play outside, please consider participating some of these indoor activities.

Enjoy your summer.