The sun’s rays can be hazardous for children. Blistering sunburns in childhood and adolescence are especially dangerous and are strongly associated with increased risk of skin cancer later in life. Everyone should protect themselves from sun exposure, regardless of skin color.
Protection Strategies
Effective strategies to protect children when outdoors in the sun include (1) sunscreens or sun blocks, and (2) sun-protective clothing.
Sunscreens are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are two types of active ingredients: mineral and chemical. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (mineral) are highly effective at reflecting and scattering the sun’s rays away from the skin. Chemical sunscreens (examples include oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, homosalate) absorb the sun’s rays and keep them from causing skin damage. Because chemical-based sunscreens have been linked to allergic reactions and hormone disruption, we recommend mineral-based sunscreens.
- SPF: Sunscreens are rated by SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Use SPF 30 or greater and reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming or sweating. Sunscreens with a very high SPF aren’t that much more effective and often lead to a false sense of security.
- Broad Spectrum: It is important to use sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum.” This protects against the two types of ultraviolet solar radiation, A and B, both of which may cause skin damage or cancer.
Sun-protective clothing: The tightness of the weave, the weight, type of fiber, color, and amount of skin covered all affect the amount of protection that clothing provides from the sun. In general, clothing made of tightly woven fabric best protects skin from the sun. The easiest way to test if a fabric can protect your skin is to hold it up to light. If you can see through it, then UV radiation can penetrate it and reach your skin.
Clothes may also be treated with UV-absorbing chemicals, such as titanium dioxide, which may provide additional protection. Unlike sunscreens, which are regulated by the FDA, there are no universally accepted standards for testing and labeling.
What can I do to reduce exposure to harmful radiation rays from the sun?
- Use mineral-based sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher and is labeled “broad spectrum.”
- Use lotions and avoid sprays, as sprays can be breathed in and don’t cover the skin as well.
- Use sun protection even on cloudy days, as most of the sun’s rays can penetrate the clouds.
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors – it needs time to work on the skin.
- Reapply every two hours or after getting wet, even if the sunscreen is labeled waterproof.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim all around to protect the ears, nose, and back of the neck.
- Choose tightly woven and dark fabrics over pale or pastel-colored fabrics.
- Wear sunglasses with lenses that protect from both UVA and UVB rays. Radiation from the sun can damage the eyes and impact vision.
- Plan outdoor activities outside the hours of peak sun (peak sun is between 10am and 4pm).