Anyone who has ever taken kids to the beach knows that it’s fun for the kids, but can sometimes be a hassle for whoever is in charge. For parents it can mean the constant chore of sunscreen application and reapplication. To curb the sun care battle and make sun protection a routine part of outdoor play, parents can take a few simple steps now to help ensure sun safety all summer long.
Sun protection is an essential part of any outdoor activity because the sun produces invisible rays known as ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB), which cause sunburn and sun damage. Harmful UV rays are more intense in the summer, which makes right now the perfect time for parents to develop their summer sun care strategy.
“The more sun exposure children get, the greater their chances of long-term skin damage,” said Dr. David Leffell, Professor of Dermatology & Surgery at Yale School of Medicine. “When children are playing in the sun and surf, they have specific sun care needs.”
Here are some sun care tips to help create your family’s sun care strategy:
• Stage a coverup-Wear dark-colored, tightly woven clothing, along with a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Cover all the bases-It’s easy to overlook spots like your ears, neck, shoulders and the back of your neck, but they need sunscreen, too. So does your scalp, if your child has thin or short hair.
• Reapply, reapply, reapply -Slap on another coat of sunscreen as needed–and be sure to reapply after swimming, perspiring, vigorous activity or toweling off.
• Select sunscreens that can keep up with kids-When children are playing in the sun and surf, they have specific sun care needs. Use waterproof sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher, and look for products that are quick and easy to apply to squirmy kids, like COPPERTONE KIDS