Seasonal Recommendations For…

Sunscreen and Sun Protection

What kind of sunscreen is best?

When buying sunscreen, there are three important things to look for. Check the label for a sunscreen that:

  1. has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher

  2. protects against both UVA and UVB rays (a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen)

  3. is water-resistant (protects kids while in the water for 40–80 minutes)

Who needs sunscreen?

Every child needs sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that all kids — regardless of their skin tone — wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Although dark skin has more protective melanin and tans more easily than it burns, tanning is a sign of sun damage. Dark-skinned kids also can get painful sunburns.

Keep babies younger than 6 months old out of the sun. When going outside, dress your baby in lightweight clothes that cover arms and legs — and don't forget a hat with a brim. If you can't avoid the sun, you can use a small amount of sunscreen on your baby's exposed skin, like the hands and face.

What are the different types of sunscreen?

There are two types of sunscreen:

  • Mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin and acts as a barrier to the sun’s rays. You may see the words zinc or titanium on the label. These can be a bit hard to rub in because they are designed to stay on the surface of the skin, so they might leave the skin a little whitish. Some even come in fun colors that kids enjoy. Mineral sunscreen starts to work as soon as it is applied, but it can come off easily with water or sweat.

  • Chemical sunscreen protects the skin by absorbing the sun’s rays like a sponge. It converts the rays into heat and then releases that heat from the skin. Because it absorbs into the top layer of the skin, it doesn’t leave the whitish coating on the skin that minerals do and it doesn’t wash off as easily either. But it can take 15-30 minutes to start working.

How , When and Where should I use sunscreen?

For sunscreen to do its job, it must be used correctly:

  • Apply sunscreen whenever your kids will be in the sun.
    For best results, apply it about     15 to 30 minutes before kids go outside.

  • Don't forget about ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck. Lift up bathing suit straps and apply sunscreen underneath them (in case the straps shift as a child moves). Protect lips with an SPF 30 lip balm.

  • Apply sunscreen generously. Dermatologists recommend using 1 ounce (enough to fill a shot glass or plastic medicine cup) to cover the exposed areas of the body. Another trick is to use the “teaspoon rule.” Use 9 teaspoons of sunscreen for the whole body: 1 teaspoon for the face and neck, 1 teaspoon for the front of the torso and 1 for the back of the torso, 1 teaspoon for each arm, and 2 teaspoons for each leg.

  • Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Reapply after a child has been sweating or swimming.

  • Apply a water-resistant sunscreen if kids will be around water or swimming. Water reflects and intensifies the sun's rays, so kids need protection that lasts. Water-resistant sunscreens may last up to 80 minutes in the water, and some are also sweat-resistant. But regardless of the water-resistant label, be sure to reapply sunscreen when kids come out of the water.

Source: KidsHealth®