As part of our Sense in the Sun campaign we are sharing all our tips and tricks for
staying safe out and about during the hot summer days.
This article covers the basics of sun safety
for kids. This topic is one of the most important ones we’ll touch on as just
one blistering sunburn can increase your little one’s lifetime risk of melanoma
which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.
There are no excuses when it comes to sun
safety for children of any age. Their young, sensitive skin is highly vulnerable
to the harsh and damaging sun‘s rays.
Before you load up on one brand of sunscreen,
it’s best to patch test for reactions first. Young people can be sensitive to
certain sunscreen ingredients, so apply a small spot of cream on the inside of
your child’s arm and check the area over 24 hours for any signs of a rash or
redness.
Ensure that you apply sunscreen at least 30
minutes prior to your kids going out into the sun and cover every part of their
body that will be exposed to the sun including ears, neck, hands, feet and
behind the knees. You will need to reapply every two hours, or more often if
they are swimming, playing in water or sweating.
Sometimes it’s hard to get your energetic toddler to hold
still for long enough to thoroughly apply a cream, so also try gels, lotions
and sprays. They all provide fantastic
protection if they are SPF 50 and broad spectrum (protecting against UVB and
UVA).
Babies under 6 months of age have highly
sensitive skin which may not tolerate sunscreen, so be sure to patch test first
and consider instead using light-weight clothing, shade, pram covers and hats
to protect them from the sun. Babies and toddlers should not be outside in the
middle of the day when UV exposure is highest.
Another way to protect your kids is to use
sunscreen all year round. UV rays can come through clouds even on an overcast
winter’s day. It’s better to be safe, than sorry.
Ask our pharmacists for the best sunscreen
for your children.
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