The Earth’s star, or the Sun, is located in a habitable zone from the Earth. Its position is key to sustaining our lives as well as plants and animals. No other planet in our Solar System can boast of this fact. While the sun is extremely important in providing light and heat we must also protect ourselves from its damaging radiation and ultraviolet rays. This is especially the case with children.
There are lots of fun things to do in the sun with your family and friends. Just remember to be a wise sun consumer. Limiting your exposure during peak times, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and using plenty of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will go a long way in protecting your skin from damage. So, when you pack that picnic basket full of delicious food, tasty treats, ice cold beverages including water, and bug spray, remember a sun protectant. It is essential for the whole family.
Have you ever wondered when you should apply sunscreen and how often? Knowing the proper usage will yield you the best results. “Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors and needs to be reapplied every two hours when outside,” says Dr. Reagan Hunt, a pediatric dermatologist at Texas Children’s Hospital. Sunscreens come in small, medium, and large plastic bottles. Be sure to get the larger one if you have a family. The economic value is always in the larger sizes.
Are sunscreens really water resistant? Yes, and no. “Water resistant sunscreens are wonderful for summer fun, but be aware that even those labeled as ‘very water resistant’ can wear off after 80 minutes of splashing around in the water, so reapply a little before that time. Remember, there are no truly ‘waterproof’ sunscreens,’” says Hunt. “An average adult needs to apply approximately one ounce of sunscreen to exposed body areas for adequate sun protection. This is roughly the size of a ping pong ball.”
Should you use sunscreen on babies? There are better ways to shield your baby from our star. “To protect the delicate skin of young infants from the sun, keep them under umbrellas or stroller shades,” says Hunt. “Dress them in lightweight protective clothing as well as wide-brimmed hats.” Sunscreen is not recommended for use on your bundle of joy.
The important thing to remember is that no matter what your skin color or tone is you need sunscreen; adults and children alike. There are serious consequences to leaving yourself or your family exposed to the sun on a regular basis without protection. Sunscreen is not the only way to protect the kiddos from sun damage. “UV protective swim shirts can be tremendously helpful to keep their skin safe and reduce the effort needed from parents to reapply sunscreen to large areas of skin during the day in the sun,” says Hunt. Also, invest in some cool UV-safe shades and hats for the kiddos. They will enjoy their sun wear.
Some of the more serious implications of not regularly using sunscreen can bring about a great deal of discomfort. “Failing to protect a child’s skin from the sun may result in painful sunburns, sometimes with blistering. Long-term, severe sunburns or excessive sun exposure may increase a child’s risk of future skin cancers,” says Hunt.
Although our precious and beautiful star the Sun, is 92.96 million miles away from the Earth, its presence is known and felt daily. While you love and appreciate it, you must learn to respect its power. Its ire is particularly ravaging.
According to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, there are approximately 70,000 new cases of melanoma — skin cancer, in the United States every year. Women between the ages of 25 and 30 are particularly impacted by this statistic because it claims their lives more often than men and children. Take the time to read the facts and heed the warnings. Your skin is your largest organ. Please take special care of it and protect it from the sun at all times.
