I'd like to start by emphasizing one very important point to remember - for babies who are six months old or less, please keep them in the shade as baby clothes are inadequate protection and you should not put sunscreen on a baby's skin.
We all know how important it is to protect our adult skin from too much exposure to the sun and it is especially important that babies and children are adequately protected. One could say the Victorians had it right as it was unfashionable to have a tan in those days. But later, and before we knew so much about skin cancer and the aging effect of the sun, having a tan was not only considered fashionable it was also regarded as being healthy.
But living permanently in a climate where sunshine is the norm soon reveals the real strength of the sun and just how rapidly burnt skin can happen. Anyone who regularly needs to be out in the midday or afternoon sun soon adopts the habit of wearing a sun hat, sun glasses, protective sunscreen or whatever else it takes to avoid skin burns.
Babies and young children are especially vulnerable because their skin is far more easily burned than adult skin. As noted above, very young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight completely and even in the shade, sunshine can reflect off surfaces and cause damage. Experts recommend the use of protective baby clothes and a canopy or parasol over the top of strollers.
The most common misconception among adults is that covering up with a polo shirt or T-shirt made out of light colored material will give the required level of protection. That may well not be correct. The latest research recommends that babies and children get the best protection from clothes made out of dark-colored closely-woven fabrics, not the usual white or light colored thin shirt.
It is also recommended that children use a hat in the summer. Something that prevents direct sunlight reaching the face, ears, back of the neck and the eyes is required. Generally this means a wide-brimmed style or a legionnaire's hat. Eye damage is just as much a risk as skin damage and so the use of sunglasses is a great habit to foster in your child.
Technology has been used in an attempt to stop or at least minimize the effect of sunburn. Some suppliers now offer clothing for children that has sun protection built in. Right now, though, choices are limited and prices are relatively expensive. In addition, a product called Sun Guard can be added to your washer loads of laundry and it claims to offer protection of up to UPF30, staying effective through twenty washes.
Those parts of the skin that cannot be covered by hats or clothing need a strong enough sunscreen for protection. For babies who are more than six months old and for children, follow the advice of skin specialists and use at last a SPF15 factor screen. With the rapid development of different products in recent years, sun blocks are available that can be used on even the most sensitive of skins.
One key factor for both children and adults is to make liberal use of sunscreen. Put it on half an hour before you're going out into the sun and re-apply it every couple of hours. Reduce the interval if you're swimming. Cover all exposed parts including the back of the neck and the feet, even underneath the straps of your swimsuit. Remember, though, that none of this applies to babies who are six months old or less - they should be always in the shade.
It is painful to see anyone, whether a baby a child or an adult, suffering from sore red skin or even blisters because of too much time in the sun or too little protection from sunscreen or clothing. It is even more painful to experience it and it adds to the risk of skin cancer. One immediate essential after an incidence of sun burn is to keep out of the sun until the skin has recovered.
We all need a little sun as it is our main source of Vitamin D to help us absorb calcium for healthier teeth and bones, but it only takes a few minutes to give us the necessary amount.
We all know how important it is to protect our adult skin from too much exposure to the sun and it is especially important that babies and children are adequately protected. One could say the Victorians had it right as it was unfashionable to have a tan in those days. But later, and before we knew so much about skin cancer and the aging effect of the sun, having a tan was not only considered fashionable it was also regarded as being healthy.
But living permanently in a climate where sunshine is the norm soon reveals the real strength of the sun and just how rapidly burnt skin can happen. Anyone who regularly needs to be out in the midday or afternoon sun soon adopts the habit of wearing a sun hat, sun glasses, protective sunscreen or whatever else it takes to avoid skin burns.
Babies and young children are especially vulnerable because their skin is far more easily burned than adult skin. As noted above, very young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight completely and even in the shade, sunshine can reflect off surfaces and cause damage. Experts recommend the use of protective baby clothes and a canopy or parasol over the top of strollers.
The most common misconception among adults is that covering up with a polo shirt or T-shirt made out of light colored material will give the required level of protection. That may well not be correct. The latest research recommends that babies and children get the best protection from clothes made out of dark-colored closely-woven fabrics, not the usual white or light colored thin shirt.
It is also recommended that children use a hat in the summer. Something that prevents direct sunlight reaching the face, ears, back of the neck and the eyes is required. Generally this means a wide-brimmed style or a legionnaire's hat. Eye damage is just as much a risk as skin damage and so the use of sunglasses is a great habit to foster in your child.
Technology has been used in an attempt to stop or at least minimize the effect of sunburn. Some suppliers now offer clothing for children that has sun protection built in. Right now, though, choices are limited and prices are relatively expensive. In addition, a product called Sun Guard can be added to your washer loads of laundry and it claims to offer protection of up to UPF30, staying effective through twenty washes.
Those parts of the skin that cannot be covered by hats or clothing need a strong enough sunscreen for protection. For babies who are more than six months old and for children, follow the advice of skin specialists and use at last a SPF15 factor screen. With the rapid development of different products in recent years, sun blocks are available that can be used on even the most sensitive of skins.
One key factor for both children and adults is to make liberal use of sunscreen. Put it on half an hour before you're going out into the sun and re-apply it every couple of hours. Reduce the interval if you're swimming. Cover all exposed parts including the back of the neck and the feet, even underneath the straps of your swimsuit. Remember, though, that none of this applies to babies who are six months old or less - they should be always in the shade.
It is painful to see anyone, whether a baby a child or an adult, suffering from sore red skin or even blisters because of too much time in the sun or too little protection from sunscreen or clothing. It is even more painful to experience it and it adds to the risk of skin cancer. One immediate essential after an incidence of sun burn is to keep out of the sun until the skin has recovered.
We all need a little sun as it is our main source of Vitamin D to help us absorb calcium for healthier teeth and bones, but it only takes a few minutes to give us the necessary amount.
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