Days are getting warmer and summer and vacation are approaching, it is time to think about taking extra measures of protecting your kids from the sun. Remember that an unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun´s rays in a few minutes getting undesirable effects that can cause problems in adulthood. But, on the other hand, everybody needs some sun exposure because it is a source of Vitamin D and helps our bodies to absorb calcium for our bones. So, it is a matter of balance, the right exposure with the right care. It’s important for parents to teach their kids how to enjoy fun in the sun safely. Some important tips are as follows:
Do not try to avoid thinking about skin cancer, it is a reality that this disease is directly related to the excess of rays ULV, UVA and UVC. So the best option is knowing all the facts that can teach you how to prevent it.
You should be especially careful about sun protection if your child has one or more of these high-risk factors: moles on their skin, light hair, blue or green eyes and a family history of skin cancer.
Don’t think that sunscreen is enough. Make your children use lightweight clothing, stay in the shade and also use a hat, especially in the peak heat of the day.
Keep your children hydrated. The body loses more water during the hot months and under physical activity so maintain drinks available to your children, especially water and make sure they keep up with their fluid intake throughout summer days.
Prefer SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30 or higher when buying a sunblock, because it blocks 97 or 98 percent of UVB rays. Above SPF 50, you are not going to see much more efficacy. And remember that everybody needs protection no matter the color of the skin. You must reapply the sunblock lotion every 2 or 3 hours, but if your children are swimming or sweating a lot consider reapply every 80 minutes. It is important not buying the most expensive product but the less harmful that is which contains less chemicals, the mineral based one that is free of additives and parabens.
After the sun do some aftercare with some moisturizing cream, coconut oil or aloe vera, any of these products helps the skin recover. Teach your kids to use them, that’s how they learn to take care of themselves.
Avoid the strongest rays of the day, when the sun is at its highest overhead, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It doesn’t matter if the day seems cloudy, the “invisible sun” can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.
Apply the sunscreen or the sunblock (better) correctly, that is 15 to 30 minutes before kids go outside and don’t forget sensitive parts of the body as ears, hands, feet, shoulders, behind the neck and even the lips (with a SPF 30 lip balm) for the older ones. And don’t forget the eyes. Although not all kids enjoy wearing sunglasses, encourage them to wear them letting them select a style they like.