There’s always a worry that comes with your kids. Whether it’s worrying about their development, to worrying about how they’re doing within school, as a parent, that worry never goes away - even when they leave the nest.
One of the major concerns for parents is a child’s health and when summer rolls around, the sunshine can be both a blessing and a danger in disguise.
UV rays from the sun can pose a significant risk to a child’s skin, and to anyone’s skin in general if it’s not protected.
In this guide, we’ll look at the short-term dangers that come from UV rays and key sun safety guidelines that every parent should know about when it comes to summer and sunshine in general.
The short-term dangers that come with UV rays
What are some of the short-term dangers that come from being exposed to UV rays?
Sunburn
For most people in their lifetime, they’ve likely experienced sunburn. UVB rays directly damage skin cells which causes redness, pain and peeling. It’s not enjoyable whatsoever and something that although painful at the time, will heal itself. However, sunburn in it’s severity can cause permanent damage.
Photosensitivity
Certain medications, plants or cosmetics can make skin more sensitive. This can lead to severe reactions with minimal UV exposure.
You may get the odd skincare treatment or procedure and these often come with the need to cover up from UV exposure too.
The long-term dangers that come with UV rays
There are many long-term dangers that come with UV rays and not all that of them are something that are noticeable.
Skin cancer
Perhaps one of the most dangerous of long-term dangers, skin cancer can be deadly. Chronic UV exposure damages skin cell DNA and this can lead to mutations and the development of skin cancers.
From melanoma, to basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma, these mutations can be incredibly dangerous and in some cases, life-threatening.
Premature aging
UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin. This breaks down the collagen and elastin, speeding up the appearance of wrinkles, sagging and fine lines.
Premature aging can be avoided but if too much time is spent in the sun, it can lead to a leathered skin appearance.
Eye damage
Eye damage is something that can damaged if you’re staring too often at the sun. UV exposure can also cause photokeratitis and cataracts.
It’s important to know that all UV is harmful. UVA and UVB rays both contribute to cancer risk and damage. Even on cloudy days, these rays can be present and so it’s important to be aware of them so that you can protect your child’s skin when out and about.
Damage from UV rays can be cumulative in damage. Sun damage builds up over time, so every occasion that’s spent outside and exposed to the sun, is something that contributes to skin damage.
Top tips for safe sun protection for your child
In order to protect your child from the sun, there are a number of useful tips worth embracing. For safe sun protection, parents need to consider a broad spectrum of sunscreens and ensure these are applied regularly and generously. Let’s take a look at some of the other tips worth knowing.
Sun avoidance for infants
For infants, it’s imperative that you’re not letting them spend too much time in the sun in general, especially when they’re actively exposed to the UV rays.
Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight entirely. It’s good to make use of shades, as well as protective clothing in order to keep their skin protected from the sun. A lot of the sunscreens aren’t appropriate for skin as sensitive as one under six months.
Mineral sunscreens
For a lot of babies between six months and two to three years old, mineral based sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, are a preferred choice. It’s worth reading up on the benefits of such ingredients with resources like Non-Nano Zinc Oxide: What It Is And Why It Matters For Your Family available.
These ingredients will sit on top of the skin and are less likely as a result to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions which often occur when using chemical sunscreens.
Opt for high SPF and broad spectrum
Regardless of which sunscreen you choose, it’s imperative that you’re picking a high SPF for your little one. This should be an SPF of at least 30 but ideally 50+ if you can get your hands on it.
This helps to protect against UVB rays, which often causes sunburn if you’re not careful. It’s useful to ensure the sunscreen offers a broad spectrum of coverage and protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
The higher the UVA rating is, the better and the more trusted you should be with it.
Apply generously and reapply often
For sunscreen, it’s always good to apply more than you typically would. You want to be applying your sunscreen generously, making sure to cover every inch of your little one’s body. This should be done fifteen to twenty minutes before going outside.
You’ll then want to reapply the sunscreen every two hours. If swimming, sweating or towel drying, then the sunscreen will need to be applied again.
Avoid peak sun hours
When you’re looking to be proactive with your avoidance with the sun and it’s harmful UV rays, then it’s best to avoid peak sun hours where possible.
Try to plan any outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon. That way, you avoid the times where the sun is likely to be at it’s peak and strongest when it comes to harmful rays.
Combine methods
Fianlly, be sure to combine methods beyond just sunscreen. Wear a hat and sunglasses as well as light and loose-fitted clothes that helps cover the skin.
Parents should be proactiv with their kids when it comes to sunscreen and teaching them the importance of sunscreen is essential too.
