Summer is here, temperatures are warming up, and pool safety and sunburn prevention becomes more important. The only thing your kids want to do is be outside in the sunshine. So fling aside the backpacks and gear up for fun in the sun! But wait. Before your kids go running out the door, take a few minutes to protect their precious skin from the dangers of the summer sun.
Why is sun protection so important?
- Up to 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before we turn 18.
- Most sun damage happens during the regular, day-to-day activity, not just on beach trips or days sitting by the pool.
- The more sun exposure during childhood, especially sunburns, the greater the risk of skin cancer later in life.
- It is just as important to protect your eyes because sun exposure to your corneas can lead to long-term problems, including cataracts.
When are the best times to avoid sun exposure?
According to the American Skin Association, between 10 am and 4 pm is when you are most likely to get sunburned. The American Academy of Dermatology is a little more lenient, stating that 10 am to 2 pm is when the sun is harshest. It’s best for everyone, especially babies, to stay indoors during this time. If that’s not an option, at least seek full shade. Just know that UV rays can still reflect off of sand, water, snow, and concrete.
How do we protect our kids from the sun?
Choose the Right Clothing for Sunburn Prevention
In addition to sunscreen, wear protective clothing to defend against the sun’s harmful rays.
- Light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting pants and long-sleeved shirts made of tight-woven fabric (the one you can’t see through when held up to the light) or clothes labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). A standard T-shirt has a sun protection factor (SPF) of only 7 or 8.
- Rash guard-style bathing suits offer much more protection for both boys and girls. Avoid bikini-style bathing suits and swim trunk-only bathing suits that leave more skin exposed.
- A hat with an all-around 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears, and back of the neck.
- Sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen
Sunscreen choices are mind-boggling, even to pediatrician moms. Here are a few important tips for choosing the right one.
- Look for a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen, which will protect against both UVB and UVA rays.
- Use an SPF between 30 and 50.
- Use a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, especially for areas that get the most sun (like the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, back of the neck, and shoulders). It might stay visible on the skin, but some come in fun colors. Let your child pick a fun color and they will be more likely to put it on without a fight.
- Use “water-resistant” sunscreen when in the water or sweating, but still re-apply it often (the label may give a time limit).
- Sunscreens come in different consistencies. Use the correct formulation for your kids. Creams are best for skin, sticks are good for around the eyes, and gels are good for areas with hair (like the scalp). Avoid sprays and powders. While they may seem more convenient, it’s hard to tell how much you’ve put on, and it might accidentally be inhaled. Also, avoid combination bug spray/sunscreen products to prevent overexposure to insect repellents.
- Avoid products with oxybenzone, vitamin A, and retinol or its derivatives (such as retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate). Researchers think that oxybenzone might disrupt hormones and that Vitamin A and retinol might increase sun sensitivity. BUT, if sunscreens containing those products are all you have on hand, they’re better than nothing at all.
- Use fragrance-free and PABA-free sunscreens. This will reduce the likelihood of developing photoallergy, a rare problem that occurs when sunlight triggers the sunscreen to cause an allergic reaction, such as a rash or even blistering.
- Don’t forget the lip balm! (Also, with an SPF of 30 to 50).
How much should you use, when, and how often?
Regardless of their skin tone, for best sunburn prevention, apply sunscreen to your children every time they go outside. A general rule of thumb is to use one golf-ball-sized amount per grown-up, so adjust that to the size of your kid. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin 30 minutes before going outside so it has time to absorb. Don’t forget the ears, hands, backs of the knees, and tops of the feet, and rub it in well. Re-apply it every 2 hours, regardless of the SPF, and sooner if sweating or playing in the water.
What else should you know about sun protection?
- Babies under 6 months of age are particularly vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. Do not use sunscreen on small infants as their skin can absorb too many chemicals, but instead protect them with clothing and shade.
- Pay attention to what medications your kids are taking. Some medicines (especially some antibiotics and acne medicines) make skin more sensitive to UV rays, especially during peak times of sun exposure. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure.
- While all children should be encouraged to love their natural skin tone, some light-skinned teens and pre-teens may feel pressured to tan. If using a self-tanner, find one that contains UV protection. No one should use tanning beds.
- Educate your teenager (and yourself) that cosmetics, even those with sunscreen, usually don’t give enough sun protection. Make sure sunscreen is applied before makeup.
So, whether you’re headed to the beach or just playing outside in the yard, be sure that sunburn prevention is part of your daily routine. As with all healthy lifestyle habits, establishing them early and modeling them yourself will increase the likelihood that your kids will continue these habits as teens and adults. (And being a role model for sunburn prevention will keep those wrinkles at bay for us parents, too!)
This is a guest post by Meisa Ezekiel. Meisa Ezekiel, 
M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician who lives in Austin, TX. She is a mother of four young children and a tireless advocate for the underserved in her community.
