Sun Safety

On Tuesday I wrote about water play and put a little blurb on the bottom about sunscreen. But sunscreen is a big deal and deserves more of a blurb so I’ve decided to expand a little. I’m a very fair-skinned person and have had numerous sunburns over the course of my life. I hated having sunscreen put on when I was a kid and often ended up with burns so bad I got blisters. In my adult life, I’ve gotten so much better and always start my day with a lotion containing SPF on my face. I’m also in love with sunscreen in a can. It’s so easy to apply and I don’t feel greasy afterwards. (One piece of advice – make sure to apply it when you’re not in a windy area because you end up wasting quite a bit.) Even though I've determined that I like sunscreen in a can, I'm still unsure of which one to pick.

Sunscreen is a little tricky to buy because there are so many choices. There are several brands and each one advertises something different. You can choose anywhere from SPF4 to SPF100+ which come in several different forms. I began to do some research and was sent this article by WebMD from a friend. It certainly gave me some things to think about when I choose my next sunscreen. I dug a little more and found an article called Summer Sun Care for Kids, also on WebMD. It has some really helpful tips but I know you’re really busy so I thought I would highlight some great points.

Adelaide Hebert, MD, from pediatric dermatology at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston stated that for younger kids “it’s easiest to get them to wear protective clothing.” I agree with that, going shopping for swimwear this year, we found that there are several colorful options for kids to choose from. WebMD states that sunscreen and cover-ups are just as important for older kids and teens plus the “tan” look is very popular. According to Hebert the safest way to get that look is to use spray or lotion self-tanners and some even provide some sun protection, just make sure to read the label closely.

The article also lists some Rules for Smart Summer Skin Care:

Rule #1 – Stay inside or in the shade between 10am and 4pm
Rule #2 – Everyone is at risk regardless of skin color or type
Rule #3 – Dress your kids in protective clothing
Rule #4 – Use sunscreen!

Purchasing sunscreen is a personal choice because only you know your family's needs. The important thing is to be knowledgeable about your choices and to read the label.