THE SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION
As we
inch closer to September, many families may want to take advantage of the last
full summer month by spending a lot of time outdoors. But whether you’re
barbecuing in the backyard or taking a vacation at the beach, it’s important to
remember sun protection for any little ones enjoying the summer sun with you.
Babies
are especially vulnerable to sun damage due to their relative lack of melanin,
the skin pigment that provides some sun protection, so protecting them from
harmful ultraviolet radiation is imperative.
“All of
the sun damage we receive as children adds up and greatly increases skin cancer
risk later in life,” said Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff, president of The Skin Cancer
Foundation. “That’s why it’s so important that parents make sun protection for
infants and toddlers a priority and eventually teach children these habits that
will benefit them for many years to come.”
The
Skin Cancer Foundation wants parents and caregivers to know that skin cancer is
highly preventable. The following tips will help keep young children sun-safe
for the rest of the summer and all year long.
Seek shade. Avoid
direct sun exposure during peak sun hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and use
an umbrella while on the beach. On walks, keep to the shady side of the street
and use a sun shield on your stroller.
Cover up. Keep
your baby covered up with a brimmed hat and lightweight clothing that fully
covers the arms and legs. For added protection, look for special clothing
marked with an ultraviolet protection factor of 30 or more.
Be careful
in the car. While glass screens out most UVB rays, the
main cause of sunburn, UVA rays can penetrate windows. Like UVB rays, UVA rays
damage DNA and can lead to skin cancer. By law, front windshields are treated
to filter out most UVA, but side and rear windows generally aren’t. Consider
buying a UV shield, which you can hang over any window that allows sunlight to
reach the child’s car seat. Another option is to install professional
UV-blocking window film.
Start sunscreen
at six months. Since infants’ skin is so sensitive, it’s
best to keep them out of the sun completely. Beginning at six months of age,
you can introduce sunscreen use. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant
sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Look at active ingredients; zinc oxide
and titanium dioxide are good choices because these inorganic filters are less
apt to cause a skin reaction. You may want to test sunscreen on the inside of
your baby’s wrist. If the child has a little irritation, try another sunscreen.
Use sunscreen
as directed. Use sunscreen on all exposed areas not
covered by clothing, such as the back of the hands, face, ears and neck. Apply
sunscreen 30 minutes before going out and reapply it every two hours and
immediately after swimming or sweating.
Toddlers
rarely stand still, so you may need to get creative with your sunscreen
application routine. Sunscreen
sticks work well for the face and hands, since the child is less likely to rub
the product into their eyes. Sprays
are another good option. Make sure to apply the sunscreen evenly and liberally all-over
exposed skin, then rub it in. For the face, spray into your hands, then apply
to your child’s face.
For more information, visit skincancer.org.
