Sunscreen
Lots of good sunscreens are available for kids, including
formulations for sensitive skin, brands with fun scents like watermelon,
long-lasting waterproof and sweat-proof versions, and easy-application
varieties in spray bottles.
What matters most in a sunscreen is the degree of protection from
UV rays it provides. When faced with the
overwhelming sea of sunscreen choices at drugstores, concentrate on the SPF
(sun protection factor) numbers on the labels.
For kids age 6 months and older, select SPF of 30 or higher to
prevent both sunburn and tanning. Choose a sunscreen that states on the label
that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays (referred to as
"broad-spectrum" sunscreen). In
general, sunscreens provide better protections against UVB rays than UVA rays,
making signs of skin aging a risk even with consistent use of sunscreen.
For sunscreen to do its job, it must be applied correctly. Be sure to:
·
Apply sunscreen whenever
kids will be in the sun.
·
Apply sunscreen about 15 to
30 minutes before kids go outside so that a good layer of protection can form. Don't forget about lips, hands, ears, 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).
·
Don't try to stretch out a
bottle of sunscreen; apply it generously.
·
Reapply sunscreen often,
approximately every 2 hours, as recommended by the American Academy of
Dermatology. Reapply after a child has
been sweating or swimming.
·
Apply a waterproof
sunscreen if kids will be around water or swimming. Water reflects and intensifies the sun's rays,
so kids need protection that lasts. Waterproof sunscreens may last up to 80
minutes in the water, and some are also sweat- and rub-proof. But regardless of
the waterproof label, be sure to reapply sunscreen when kids come out of the
water.
~Olmsted County Public Health
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