No matter the shade of your skin, sun exposure is a risk for skin cancer. Most skin cancers are caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) light from years of sun exposure. Prevention of skin cancer starts in childhood. As a pediatrician, I remind families that sun safety isn\u2019t just for pool days or vacations; just like brushing your teeth, it\u2019s part of everyday healthy habits.<\/p>\n
Here are 10 ways your family can stay safe in the sun<\/a> \u2013 both during summertime and year-round!<\/p>\n Pick a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that covers both UVB and UVA light (labeled as \u201cbroad spectrum\u201d on the bottle).<\/li>\n Each spring I go through our family\u2019s collection of sunscreen to see what has expired. Toss those old sunscreens as they may give false hopes for protection<\/li>\n Put on a new coat at least every 2 hours during the middle of the day when UV rays are the highest (usually between 10am and 4pm in the summertime).<\/li>\n Smartphone weather apps can warn about sunburn risk. A UV index of 3 or higher means being prepared to protect your kids from the sun and reapplying regularly. If the UV index is 8 or more, try to stay out of direct sunlight (or reapply every 30-60 minutes).<\/li>\n It\u2019s frustrating \u2013 kids must dry off, reapply, then let it soak in before splashing again. Rubbing in a spray sunscreen can help it soak in and ensure even application. 15-30 minutes of soak-in time helps the sunscreen do its job!<\/li>\n It\u2019s much easier to have kids wear clothing that blocks the sun than try to get them to reapply sunscreen repeatedly. Long-sleeved rash guards are our family\u2019s go-to for swim days.<\/li>\n Protecting your child\u2019s eyes from the sun can help prevent the risk of cataracts as they get older. If your toddler tears off those cute shades you bought them like mine did, a wide brimmed hat can help reduce the eyes\u2019 exposure to UV rays.<\/li>\n Overcast weather and cool breezes can be deceiving \u2013 sun rays are still strong even if it\u2019s not feeling hot.<\/li>\n If you can\u2019t, then go ahead and use a sunscreen lotion or stick to apply to exposed areas, but most babies can avoid being in direct sunlight.<\/li>\n Sun exposure is sun exposure. Tanning beds have UV radiation like the sun, increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Have your teen choose sunless tanners or bronzers if they won\u2019t just \u201clove the skin they are in\u201d. Their older selves will thank you!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Families commonly ask what sunscreen is \u201cbest\u201d for their kids. In general, mineral sunscreens (those containing zinc oxide<\/em> or titanium dioxide<\/em> as active ingredients) are a great choice. They provide a physical barrier against both UVA and UVB rays and don\u2019t contain chemicals considered to be harmful.<\/p>\n However, anyone who has tried to apply sunscreen to a young child knows how hard it can be to get them covered with it. After years of trying to get my kids to tolerate the white sheen of mineral sunscreens, I\u2019ve become more flexible in my approach to choosing the \u201cright\u201d sunscreen. At home and in my practice, I share the words of a dermatologist colleague, Dr. Jessica Corwin<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n
Choose \u201cbroad spectrum\u201d sunscreens<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Check expiration dates on sunscreen bottles<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Reapply sunscreen frequently<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Use your phone for guidance<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Let sunscreen soak in before jumping in the pool<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Cover up<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Wear sunglasses<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t let clouds fool you<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Keep babies under 6 months out of the sun<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Know that a tan doesn\u2019t protect you from a sunburn<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cWhat\u2019s the \u2018best\u2019 sunscreen? The one your family will actually use regularly and generously!\u201d<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Resources for Parents<\/h4>\n
American Academy of Pediatrics<\/h4>\n
Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn and Sunscreen<\/a><\/h4>\n
My Doctor Online<\/h4>\n
Sun Protection and Sunburn<\/a><\/h4>\n
American Academy of Dermatology<\/h4>\n