Sunburn is the reddening of skin, which is the result of getting overexposed to the harmful ultraviolet or UV rays of the sun. Although it may look like it’s just some temporary irritation, it can cause long-term skin damage. Kids are especially prone to this damage, since blistering sunburns during childhood double the chances of them developing skin cancer once they’re adults.
As a responsible parent, the following are 6 methods for preventing your kids from getting sunburn:
Avoiding getting exposed to the sun between 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon – The rays coming from the sun happen to be the strongest during this length of time. In lieu of this, it’s recommended that you try scheduling your kids’ outdoor activities for other times. In case you won’t be able to do so, limit their time under the sun and tell them to seek shade whenever possible.
Cover them up – Have your kids wear tightly-woven clothing which covers them – including their arms as well as legs. Get them to wear clothing or even outdoor gear that’s specially designed for UV protection. Check labels for their UV protection factor, or UPF, as it shows how effective the fabric is in blocking UV rays. Higher numbers mean better protection. Aside from clothing, let your kids wear wide-brimmed hats.
Wearing sunglasses whenever outdoors – Provide your kids’ eyes with the outdoor protection they need by having them wear high UV protection sunglasses. Darker lenses don’t necessarily mean they have a better rating regarding UV protection. To make sure, check the labels for the UV rating when looking for sunglasses. In addition, it helps that you let your kids wear sunglasses that fit close to their faces, as well as contain wraparound frames that can block sunlight from various angles.
Frequently and generously apply sunscreen – No matter what skin type your kids may have, using sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher is a must. Apply the sunscreen on them in generous amounts. Reapply every couple of hours thereafter – and more so if they’re sweating or swimming.
In case you’re also making use of insect repellent, you should first apply the sunscreen. You may also use sunscreen on both toddlers and babies ages 6 months or older. However, for babies who are younger than 6 months, other forms of sun protection are recommended, such as shade or clothing.
Base tans don’t automatically mean having protection – There are some who think that getting a base tan prevents them from getting sunburns. The thinking here is that with just a few indoor tanning sessions, these individuals will then get the protection they need to avoid getting sunburns. However, research simply does not support such a notion. Base tans are no substitute for sun protection. Moreover, the risks of long-lasting tanning outweigh the unproven benefits of having base tans.
Curtains and blinds – These not only provide the UV protection that your kids need especially when they’re at home, but they also help in regulating the brightness that’s coming from the outside due to sunlight.
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Kathleen Gray is an author and freelance blogger and parenting advocate. She is a dedicated mom to her children who enjoys sharing actionable parenting tips via blogs.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.