Sun Care For Babies and Children

Before looking at what parents should and shouldn’t do, we need to understand the reasons that too much sun can be bad for us. For this we need a little physics and chemistry.

Sunlight consists of a wide range of different wavelengths of radiation. Some of these we can sense – the warmth we feel in sunlight comes from Infra-Red radiation, and the light we can see comes from radiation in the visible spectrum. There are other wavelengths in sunlight that we can’t see, and chief among these are those in the Ultra Violet group. There are at least three different types of Ultra-Violet radiation and these are generally referred to as UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVC Radiation

Taking these in reverse order, UVC has the shortest wavelength and although it is potentially very harmful to our skin, it is completely filtered out by the earth’s atmosphere and so does not affect us.

UVB Radiation

UVB radiation is the one that causes the appearance of a tan after sun exposure. It does this by stimulating the formation of the pigment ‘melanin’ in the deeper layers of the skin and activates it’s movement to the outer skin layers. Here it acts as an antioxidant and skin protector – it is in fact part of our natural defence against sun damage.

UVB radiation also causes thickening of the outer layers of the skin, and if exposure is taken to excess is what causes sun-burn. This should be avoided at all costs, particularly by children, as it is thought that sun-burn in early years may lead to an increased risk of skin cancer later in life.

UVA Radiation

UVA radiation is potentially the most damaging form as it penetrates deeper into the skin. In the deep basal layers of the skin UVA can damage the DNA that makes up the blueprint of each cell, and can result in mutated cells that no longer reproduce properly. This in turn may be a primary cause of some skin cancers, although they may take years or even decades to manifest themselves.

UVA also damages structures made from or containing collagen and elastin and this is one of the main causes of wrinkles and premature ageing in skin that is often exposed to sunlight.

General Advice

The general advice given to adults who are going to be exposed to sunlight can be summed up in the now famous Australian adage of ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ – Slip on a Shirt, Slop on a Hat, Slap on some Sun-cream. Clearly, all three of these actions are designed to reduce exposure to sunlight and therefore minimise the risks involved.

Further advice is to avoid exposure to the sun when it as its strongest – between mid-day and three in the afternoon. When you think about it, this is the traditional time when many Mediterranean countries have lunch followed by a Siesta – both taken indoors thereby avoiding the worst effects of the sun.

What about Sun-creams?

And now a word or two about Organic Sun-creams. All Organic Sun-screens carry a Sun Protection Factor, usually abbreviated to SPF. This is followed by a number, generally between 4 and 25, although some products claim to go as high as SPF30 or more. OK, but what does this mean to the user.

Put simply, the higher the SPF value, the longer the user will be able to stay in the sun without visibly burning. As an example, if someone would normally start to burn after 15 minutes in the sun when unprotected, by using an SPF8 sun cream they should be able to stay out for 2 hours without visibly burning. If they use a Factor 20 sun cream, in theory they could stay in the sun for as long as 5 hours without visibly burning.

Organic sun creams earn their SPF rating by including ingredients which filter out UV radiation and reduce it’s effect on the skin. Because it is UVB that causes most of the visible adverse effects of sun exposure, most commercial sun-creams concentrate just on filtering this out and pay little attention to UVA radiation. However, as already explained, it is UVA that does the most damage in the long term and which we need protection from.

It has been suggested that the use of organic sun creams that only filter out UVB radiation has encouraged people to stay out in the sun far longer that they would otherwise do, and that this has unwittingly increased their exposure to UVA to such an extent as to lead to the dramatic increases in skin cancer that we are currently seeing. The moral of this has to be to only use sun-creams that filter out both UVB and UVA radiation.

What about Babies and Children?

Because babies and young children have skin that is far more sensitive than adults, we have to even more careful about exposing them to sunlight.

Most authorities agree that new-born babies should not be exposed to sunlight at all until they are at least 6 months old. After that age, and depending on their skin type, short periods of unprotected exposure lasting just a couple of minutes at a time may be introduced.

Other than for these brief moments, all other sun exposure for babies must be carefully controlled and must not be allowed to take place without some protection. As with adults, keep the skin covered with light clothing, although bear in mind that UV radiation can pass through thin, open weave materials and it is possible to burn even through a shirt or blouse. Make sure they wear a wide-rimmed sun hat at all times – the best ones have ribbons attached so they can be tied under the chin. Use an organic sun-cream but make sure it filters out both UVA and UVB radiation.

As with all sun-lotions, apply liberally at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun to give the filter time to become active. Also, remember to re-apply regularly, and especially after bathing.

As children become older and more active it becomes even more important to keep applying sun lotions especially if they are in and out of water in a pool or at the seaside. Again, keeping covered with a light T-shirt will help, but don’t forget to apply lotion underneath to prevent burning.

If you are in a hot climate, try and copy the locals and take a break in the heat of the day. Babies and children soon adapt to the idea of a Siesta and by avoiding the heat of the day they are often happier and less irritable.

As your children grow up, try and encourage them to assume some of the responsibility for ensuring they are safe in the sun. Give them their own bottle of organic sun-cream and show them how and when to use it – soon it will become a habit that will protect them for the rest of their lives.

Titanium Dioxide

There have been recent suggestions that the use of microscopic particles of Titanium dioxide, also called nano-particles, may increase the formation of free-radicals on the skin. This rumour has come about because isolated nano-particles of Titanium dioxide can react with UV light and oxygen to form free-radicals. However, Titanium dioxide used in some organic sun lotions and creams has been coated with silicates to prevent this happening – in short, it is impossible for it to react with oxygen or indeed any other substance on the skin.

Another concern is that nano-particles may penetrate the skin and thereby enter the body. Again, this is not possible with the coated form of Titanium dioxide as the individual particles clump together during the manufacturing process to form aggregations which are too large to penetrate the skin.

In Summary

o Avoid all sun exposure under 6 months of age
o Always provide some form of protection from the sun
o Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat, preferably tied on
o Use an Organic Sun Lotion that filters both UVA and UVB radiation
o Apply at least 30 minutes before sun exposure
o Reapply frequently, and especially after bathing
o Avoid the heat of the day between noon and 3:00pm

Sun Protection – Baby Sun Care

Why your baby needs protecting

Although many people think a suntan looks healthy, the link between sunlight and skin cancer has been proven. Research suggests that two or more cases of severe sunburn at an early age can increase the risk of skin cancer later on.

Even in Britain, babies should not go outside without sun protection from the middle of April to the end of September. Pale-skinned children are at risk of sun damage after only five minutes of sunshine .
Hats

Look for a hat that has a brim at the front and a flap at the back to shield your baby’s neck. Otherwise, go for one with a wide brim all the way round. It is never too early to start getting your baby used to wearing one. If you suddenly jam one on him in toddlerhood, the chances are that it will not be received well and a major strop will ensue.

Protective clothing

Between 11am and 3pm on sunny days, T-shirts are essential as shoulders are particularly vulnerable and burn quickly. Look for loose-fitting ones made of closely woven cotton. If you go to the seaside, make sure your child keeps on a T-shirt while splashing around in the water, and change him into a dry one when he’s finished.

The high-tech, and more costly, alternative is brightly coloured sun protection suits made of lycra or a lycra and nylon mix. These block out more than 80 per cent of harmful UVA rays, much more than a T-shirt can. They also dry quickly and can be worn in and out of the water.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses for children may seem a luxury, but they do protect their eyes from the sun, and children should be encouraged to wear them from the age of six months. Make sure they protect against both UVA and UVB rays and that they conform to the safety standard (BS EN 1836:2005). These will cost a little more, but cheaper versions may actually harm your child’s eyes instead of protecting them.

Look out for sunglasses with a rubber strap that fits comfortably around the back of your child’s head, as they’re more likely to stay on.

Sun creams

Opt for creams or sprays specially formulated for your baby’s skin because adult creams may cause irritation. Choose one that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some companies make tinted sun creams, so that you can see if you have missed a bit.

If you want to make sun protection more fun for your child, once you’ve applied sun cream carefully to his face, use some more to draw warrior stripes.

Canopies and parasols for buggies

A canopy tends to offer more protection than a parasol, which needs adjusting as the sun moves around. Check that the canopy or parasol fits onto your type of buggy before you buy. If in doubt, find a version that will adjust to fit all models. Alternatively, choose an elasticated UV sun cover. These are made of dark, synthetic mesh and cover the whole seat area of the buggy so your baby is totally protected.

To avoid extra hassle, make sure that you can open and close your buggy easily once the parasol is attached.

Beach cabanas

These pop-up shelters are made of nylon stretched on an aluminium frame and fold into a compact bag when not in use. They screen out up to 97 per cent of UV rays, and provide somewhere for your little one to sleep, eat his lunch or just take a break from the sun.

It’s worth even packing your cabana on cool days because they act as fantastic windbreaks. They come in baby or family sizes. Family-sized cabanas are pricier, but you’ll get many more holidays out of them.

Protect your Baby’s Skin – Tips and Suggestions

It’s up to parents to protect their children from burn injuries. As a parent you have to know better how to protect your baby’s skin from getting too much sun exposure or skin burns. Be an educated parent and know how to care for your baby’s skin. Below are some suggestions and tips.

Protect your baby’s skin suggestions:

• Make sure your child isn’t too close when you are preparing hot foods or brewing hot liquids.
• Avoid using a tablecloth, as a toddler could pull it and be burned by falling hot objects.
• Don’t heat infant formula in the microwave, as it may heat unevenly and burn baby.
• For older children, check the temperature of microwaved foods to make sure they’re not too hot.
• Check the temperature of bath water before immersing your child. Set your water heater to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keeping my baby from getting a sunburn?

The best way to protect your baby is to keep your baby out of direct sunlight as much as possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Routinely dress him in a hat, lightweight pants, and a long-sleeved shirt for outings during the middle of the day. Tightly woven clothing protects better than loosely woven fabrics (to see how tight the weave is, hold the fabric up to a light — the less light that shines through, the better). Add UV-protective sunglasses if your baby will wear them. Use an umbrella, stroller canopy, or sun-protective tent to protect your baby while he’s outside.

Until August 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended against using any type of sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months, because their skin’s ability to metabolize and excrete chemicals may not be fully developed. This recommendation has been revised somewhat. You can use sunscreen on babies under 6 months if adequate clothing and shade aren’t available, but check with your pediatrician first. That doesn’t mean you should slather your baby in sunblock, though. Just apply a small amount of lotion to exposed areas.

For babies over 6 months, use a waterproof sunscreen designed for children. Choose a sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum,” which means it protects against both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sunscreens are good to use on particularly sensitive spots, such as the nose and lips.

The AAP and American Academy of Dermatology recommend an SPF of at least 15, but many experts recommend SPF 30 or higher for babies, and many baby sunscreen formulas have even higher SPFs. If possible, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply it at least every two hours, especially if your baby has been playing in the water or has been sweating (even if the sunscreen is waterproof).

When trying a new sunscreen, do a patch test on your child’s back to make sure he doesn’t have a reaction to it. If he does develop a rash or redness at the test site, choose a hypoallergenic formula instead.

A Few Basic Facts About The Sun and Our Skin

Here are some straight forward facts to consider on the topic of sun protection. The sun radiates two different rays that are cancer causing, UVA and UVB. The UVA ray is longer and it affects the skin much deeper than a UVB ray. The UVB ray is the one that gives you sunburn. Both can cause skin damage and skin cancer.
When you buy a sunscreen and you look for a sun proof factor (spf), you are looking for protection from the UVB ray. The thing is, most sun blocks are only keeping out the UVB. So, you can have sunscreen on, thinking you are safe, but still get skin cancer from the UVA rays.

SPF, an abbreviation for sun-protection factor, is a number such as 15, 30, or 50 that indicates how long a topical sunscreen remains effective on the skin. A user can determine the duration of effectiveness simply by multiplying the SPF by the length of time it takes for him or her to suffer a burn without sunscreen.

Basal Cell Carcinoma  is a common form of skin cancer with almost 1 million cases each year in America. Treatment includes a procedure to remove the cancer, typically by cutting out the affected area or treating with a topical chemotherapy. If left untreated, the cancer will continue to grow. Individuals who have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma need sun protection to minimize UV exposure.

Bottom line – the sun is our friend.  We need it and it is wonderful for our spirits and our health. Enjoy it but safely and in moderation.

Top Five Sun Care Picks From EWG

We’ve established the importance of sun care, for your baby, and the entire family. At this time there aren’t any safety standards set by the FDA for sunscreens. So it is important for parents to know what they are truly rubbing into their baby’s bodies. A good example of the standards set for our sunscreens is the use of PABA (”a skin damaging chemical”, EWG) that was more widely used in the past. It still is, however, since there was an outcry from consumers with allergic reactions, companies use it less.

The bottom line is that we parents need to be aware that some sunscreens may be potentially more harmful than good. “Studies show that some traditional sunscreens like oxybenzone and octinoxate definitely absorb into healthy skin – in large amounts according to some studies – and act like estrogens in the body, raising risks for breast cancer, and showing effects like hormone-driven uterine damage in other studies”. 1

Take a look at your current sunscreen and you will probably find one of these ingredients, if not both. There is also some controversial concern with the micro sized (nanosize) titanium and zinc. Are these particles so small that they can absorb through the skin and into our blood stream? For now it is considered safe (as long as the particles aren’t too small) on healthy skin. A good way to test is this, if the sunscreen rubs clear onto your baby’s skin, it is nanosized. If it rubs on with some white, the particles are not too small.

Below we’ve listed the top five choices according to the Environmental Working Group. We always suggest, however, to do your own homework and then you can make an educated decision as to what is right for your family.

Environmental Working Groups Safest Sunscreen Picks

1. Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock
2. Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum
3. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance
4. Badger Sunscreen
5. Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum

New Findings About Sun Care Products for Children

We purchase a sunscreen specially labelled for children and liberally slather it on them before heading outdoors. After two hours you reapply, then relax, knowing your child is safe from the harmful rays that can cause premature aging and skin cancer.

The bad news is your child may not be as protected as you think. Beyond not providing real protection there is the potential toxicity of many of the ingredients.

“I’m primarily concerned with the lack of safety testing,” says Dr. Rebecca Sutton, a staff scientist with the EWG. There is a long list of ingredients that are potentially harmful, or even cancer causing, that we just don’t know enough about.

This is especially of concern when it comes to children. The surface area of a child’s skin relative to their body weight is much greater than adults. Any chemical applied to their skin is about 1.4 times more significant than it would be when applied to an adult. Add that to the fact that children are less able to detoxify and excrete chemicals, they have a developing organ system that is more vulnerable to damage from chemical exposures, and children are more sensitive to low levels of hormonally active compounds and you have a potentially large problem.

As parents, we can’t do anything about the unknowns, but there is one common sunscreen ingredient that has been linked with a host of problems including allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage.

“Parents should also avoid powder and spray sun care,” Sutton says of airborne chemicals potentially dangerous to breathe in. Avoid 2-in-1 combos, like sunscreen mixed with insect repellents.

“You need to apply sunscreen every few hours to be effective and you don’t want to put bug repellent on that often,” says Gray.

Then of course, there are the basic sun safety tips.

“People rely too heavily on sunscreen alone,” Cohen says.

Make sure your child wears a hat and UV-protective clothing and, if possible, avoid direct sunlight during the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Facts and Myths About Sun Care Protection

Sun protection has become a way of life for individuals, who are intent on keeping their skin healthy, and avoiding wrinkles and leathery skin. Getting sunburn repeatedly can increase your chance of getting skin cancer. Melanoma in children has been increasing each year! So it is important for us all to take a practical approach and properly use natural sunscreen and develop healthy skin care habits. Surprisingly, not everyone knows how to apply sunscreen. Only a small percent of the population uses sunscreen protection and only half of those people apply sunscreen correctly. In addition, regardless of the SPF or what the label says, sunscreens must be reapplied every 80 minutes or less. Sunscreen users mistakenly believe that high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreen products will protect them all day with one application, when in fact; all sunscreens must be reapplied regularly.

Two Sunscreen Myths

Myth: Sunscreen provides total sun block.

Truth: No sunscreen blocks 100 percent of Ultra Violet (UV) rays. SPF 15 can protect against 93 percent. SPF 30 protects against 97 percent. SPF 50-60 shuts out 98 percent. The higher the SPF the more harsh chemicals are in the product.

Myth: An SPF 60+ sunscreen provides double the protection of an SPF 30 sunscreen.
Truth: This is exactly why the FDA is putting a cap on high SPFs. SPF 30 provides skin with 97% protection, where as SPF 60 provides skin with 98-98.6% protection. There is less than 1.6% difference in protection factor. A SPF 60+ needs more chemicals to achieve a higher SPF, potentially putting more toxins in your body.

The real confusion to consumers has been what a product can do and can’t do. There are a number of sunscreen products are available on the market today. The trick is to become educated! Do you believe that just because sunscreens are labeled “sweat proof” or “waterproof” that they are? Currently, the FDA is banning the word “waterproof.” Now the term, “water/sweat/perspiration resistant” is accurate, however; this only means the sunscreen offers SPF protection after 40 minutes of water exposure. The term, “very water resistant” gives 80 minutes of protection. So to be safe, use this basic rule of thumb: re-apply, re-apply, and re-apply!For people who don’t have a lot of time, especially parents, a trend today has been to use aerosol sunscreens because they find them easier to apply. However, people may not be effectively protecting their skin! While being applied, aerosol sunscreens can lose much of their protection during the transfer from the bottle onto the skin. This is because not all of the molecules land on your body.

Sun Care For Your Baby 101

As humans, we are naturally meant to be in the sun. That been said, babies have very sensitive skin so it is kind to protect her skin with sunscreen but also to be cautious not to allow too much exposure. It’s also ideal to choose a “physical” or “chemical-free” sunscreen made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — look for one of those ingredients on the label.

Unlike chemical sunscreens, which may cause irritation or allergic reactions because the skin absorbs the active ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on top of the skin, forming a barrier against the sun’s rays. There’s no evidence chemical sunscreens are dangerous or toxic, but we just don’t know enough yet about how young children react to the ingredients. Also, sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide start protecting as soon as you put them on, whereas chemical products need to be slathered on 30 minutes in advance so the skin has time to absorb them. Also make sure any sunscreen you use is labeled “PABA-free.” PABA was once widely used in sunscreens but now has been linked with skin irritation.

You may have heard you should look for a “broad-spectrum” product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Any sunscreen that contains the physical blocker zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will do this.

The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15, but you generally don’t need to go above 30: Higher than that and you’re getting smaller and smaller amounts of added protection — which, in a chemical sunscreen, means a higher dose of unwanted chemicals. It’s fine to use a “children’s” sunscreen, but don’t go out of your way to buy one of these, since they’re usually no different from the adult versions.