Baby Sun Skin Care for the Summer

The hot days of summer are getting more intense with every year. Especially if you’re in the Northeast where we have a a sun-driven heatwave. Regardless of what zone you live in, smart skin protection is the best medicine to keep your child skin safe in the sun.

You probably remember your first sunburn and maybe even your latest one because it’s so easy for adults to splash sun screen on their kids, and forget to put it on themselves.  As you know, infant skin burns much more easily than adult skin. That’s why it’s important to take extra care with infants and toddlers when they are out in the sun.

UV Rays
It’s no secret that the depletion of the ozone layer has changed our way of thinking about sun protection. There is no doubt that the sun rays today are stronger and more intense those of 60 years ago.

Extended exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun causes skin damage and premature aging. However, it is important to remember that sunlight is important to good health. Small amounts of ultraviolet rays stimulate the body to produce vitamin D, an essential vitamin for good health. Deficiency of vitamin D is a serious health concern and leads to conditions such as rickets in children. In short, moderate sun is healthy, but sunburns are not.
Too much exposure to sunlight can result in immediate pain and long-term harm. Without getting too scientific here, sunburn is caused by extended exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Short-term results can be pain, allergic reactions and heat stroke.  In the long term, researchers say that victims of sunburn can suffer from lupus, cataracts, premature skin aging and an increased risk for skin cancer.

Skin Type
A person’s sensitivity to the sun is related to his or her skin type. An individual’s skin type determines how easily that person can become sunburned. Those with fair skin, freckles, blue eyes and/or blonde or red hair sunburn much easier than those with darker skin, eyes and hair.

Children younger than 6 years of age and adults older than 60 years are at an increased risk for sunburn. Skin type affects how easily you become sunburned. People with fair or freckled skin, blond or red hair, and blue eyes usually sunburn easily. Your age also affects how your skin reacts to the sun.

Young Skin is Sensitive
The skin of children under age 6 and adults over age 60 is more sensitive to sunlight. Premature aging from sunlight can affect people of all skin shades. A sunburn can be caused by the sun or by artificial tanning sources, including tanning beds and sun tanning lights. You can even get sunburned not only in the summer, but also in the winter.

Here are some basic sun care tips:

• Sunlight is most intense between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so avoid exposure during these times
• Avoid exposing babies younger than six months of age to direct sunlight
• Dress your child in light, loose clothing that covers the whole body
• Use a sun hat or bonnet, and keep the sunshade up on the stroller up This is good advice for young babies
• Toddlers often resent the restrictions of clothing, and feel it’s best to run around naked. For these free little spirits, use a gentle, natural sunscreen with organic ingredients, available at your health food store
• Slather on sunscreen generously and reapply, even on cloudy hazy days
• Never put sunscreen too close to children’s eyes or on their hands, as they might rub their eyes and cause irritation
• Keep your child and yourself well hydrated. Keep water bottles handy or nearby
• Bring a beach umbrella to the beach or park(if there are no shady trees nearby)

Have fun in the sun this summer, but do take care of the tender skin.

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.