Who doesn't like to feel the warm sunshine on their skin? Let's face it, it makes you happy? Vitamin D is needed for everyone's health, and the sun is the main way to get it. But how much is sun is too much? Why doesn't everyone absorb vitamin D the same way? How can you get enough Vitamin D if you live somewhere that is cloudy, or rainy? How can you protect your kids from the sun? Is there such a thing as a healthy tan? So many questions! As a parent, its your job to take care of your children. Not the schools. Not the towns. Not your neighbors. Your job. Period.
Sure, I took a week off of my postings. That was because we had a little cancer scare at my house. One of my [very fair skinned] children had more than a few brown spots that were "suspicious", and therefore had to be removed by a plastic surgeon. This got me thinking about how much protection I really give my kids. I know that they say 20 minutes of sunshine gives your kids their daily dose of Vitamin D. I used to wait a little bit to apply their sunscreen, but not anymore. Yes, of course I use sunscreen. Sure my kids all have rash guards. But am I diligent enough? I hope so, but can't say for 100% that this is a fact. I will say that I'm better than a lot of moms I know. I can't tell you how many dozens and dozens of kids I see who are
extremely tan in the summer. Not a little brown, but a "boy that kids been out in the sun way too much" tan. FYI, that's bad. They are getting points taken away for not doing their job. Sure they can feed them everything organic...read to them....take them to piano...but don't let your kid bake out in the sun just because you think it looks good.
I began digging up more information about exactly how to protect your kids. Here's some of what I found:
The Cleveland Clinic had this to say about how to protect your skin:
What are the dangers of sun exposure?
The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn. If you looked at sunburned skin under a strong microscope, you would see that the cells and blood vessels have been damaged. With repeated sun damage, the skin starts to look dry, wrinkled, discolored, and leathery. Although the skin appears to be thicker, it actually has been weakened and, as a result, it will bruise more easily.
However, the sun's most serious threat is that it is the major cause of skin cancer, which is now the most common of all cancers. Doctors believe that most skin cancers can be avoided by preventing sun damage.
Does the sun have benefits?
You may have been taught as a child that you need sunlight for your body to make vitamin D, because vitamin D is not found naturally in most foods. But today, many foods are fortified with vitamin D during the manufacturing process. Thus, sun exposure is not as important for the body's vitamin D supply as it used to be. Of course, being outdoors makes most people feel good. And playing tennis is better for your health than watching television. But you can still protect yourself from the sun's damaging effects while enjoying yourself outdoors.
How can I avoid the harmful effects of the sun?
Staying out of the sun is the best way to avoid sun damage, but most of us go outdoors regularly. So when you go outside, take these precautions:
- Most importantly, always wear sunscreen. You should put it on every day. Make it a habit, such as brushing your teeth.
- Try to avoid sun in the middle of the day, from about 10 am to 3 pm. The ultraviolet rays, which cause sunburn, are strongest during this time.
- When you do go outdoors, especially for long periods in the middle of the day, wear protective clothing. Long sleeves and slacks, as well as a wide-brimmed hat, help protect your body against the sun's harmful effects.
- Wear sunglasses that filter UV light.
What is SPF in a sunscreen?
SPF stands for sun protection factor. The SPF number tells you how well the product will protect you from UVB, the burning rays of the sun. (Most sunscreens also absorb ultraviolet "A" rays, or UVA.) The larger the SPF number, the greater the amount of protection. Everyone should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. If you have had a skin cancer or precancer, you should use a sunscreen with an even higher SPF. Many of the new sunscreens have SPFs of 30, 45, or higher.
I don't burn very often. Does this mean I can use a sunscreen with a low SPF?
If you were only trying to avoid sunburn, the answer would be "yes." But protection from sunburn is not the most important reason for wearing sunscreen. You want to reduce damage from the sun. Your skin can be harmed by constant sun exposure, whether or not you see a burn. Remember, sunburn is an immediate reaction, but damage from the sun occurs over a lifetime. If you have had a skin cancer or pre-cancer, you should use an SPF of 15 or higher. (Some dermatologists recommend that almost everyone use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15.)
Who should use sunscreens?
Anyone who spends time outdoors should use a sunscreen. This includes:
- men, women, and children
- people who tan easily and those who don't
- fair-skinned and dark-skinned people; people who already have tans and
- sunbathers, gardeners, and skiers.
Are sunscreens safe for children?
Yes. Not only are sunscreens safe for children over age 6 months, if used regularly in childhood they can prevent skin cancers from developing in later life. Recently, a researcher reported that if sunscreens were used regularly by children through the age of 18, there would be a 72% reduction in the cases of skin cancer later in life.
How should sunscreens be applied?
Sunscreens are very effective when used properly. Follow these guidelines to give yourself the most protection:
- Apply the sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before you go outdoors, whenever you will be exposed for 30 minutes or more.
- Reapply sunscreen every 3 hours while you are outdoors, even if the product is labeled "all-day." If you are getting a lot of sun or perspiring heavily, reapply sunscreen every hour or two.
- Cover all exposed areas, including your ears, lips, face and back of your hands.
- Don’t skimp; apply a generous layer. Smooth it on rather than rub it in. A rule of thumb is that 30 ml (a shot glass) of sunscreen is necessary for application to all exposed skin to attain the stated level of protection.
- Women should apply sunscreens under makeup. If you wait to apply sunscreen until you hit the beach, you may already be perspiring, and moisture makes sunscreens less effective.
My skin is sensitive. Should I skip the sunscreen?
Some sunscreens contain ingredients that may irritate the skin. If you know you react to specific ingredients, be sure to check the contents on the label. You can also ask your dermatologist to recommend a sunscreen.
However, the sunscreen may not be causing the reaction. Other products that come into contact with your skin, including perfumes, certain medications, and soaps, may make your skin more sensitive. Think about the products you have been using (especially new products), and stop using these one by one before you stop using the sunscreen. If you are not sure about the side effects of a medication you are taking, consult with your doctor or local pharmacist.
Here's what Web MD had to say about sunscreens:
Sunscreen: Are You Really Covered?
What's true, and what's not, about sunscreen and SPF.
WebMD Magazine - Feature
You know you should wear sunscreen every day. But what kind? How long can you keep it?
Get the answers to these questions and other truths about sunscreen.
Sunscreen: True or False
1. The higher the SPF, the better the protection.
FALSE. It sounds right -- a sun protection factor of 100 should be twice as protective as SPF 50. But it's only a few percentage points more effective. An SPF of 15 screens 93% of the sun's rays and an SPF of 30 screens 97%. "But the number becomes irrelevant if you aren't applying enough in the first place," says Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist in Danbury, Conn., and an assistant clinical professor at Yale University dermatology department. Most people don't use enough, studies show.
"For better protection apply 1 to 2 ounces (the size of a Ping-Pong ball) of sunscreen on your body 30 minutes before going outdoors [so your skin can absorb it completely] and every two hours to any exposed skin after that," Gohara says.
For your face, apply a dollop the size of a silver dollar every day, no matter what the weather. Note, too, that SPF refers to protection from UVB (the burning rays) only, not UVA (the aging rays). You need to guard against both since both can lead to skin cancer.
2. It's OK to use last year's bottle of SPF.
TRUE. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of about two years, says Jordana Gilman, MD, a New York City dermatologist. If you are using sunscreen properly, however, you shouldn't have any left, since it takes about 1 to 2 ounces of sunscreen to cover the entire body. A 4-ounce bottle should last for, at most, four applications.
3. Sunscreen only needs to be applied to exposed skin.
FALSE. The average T-shirt offers an SPF of about 7, notes Gilman. Darker fabrics and tighter weaves provide more protection, but it is much safer to apply sunscreen to your entire body before you get dressed. Or better yet, wear clothing made of UV protective fabrics. These have been specially treated with colorless UV-absorbing dyes, and most offer an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50, which blocks both UVA and UVB.
Don't want to invest in a whole new summer wardrobe? Spike your detergent with a wash-in SPF product you can toss in with your laundry.
4. Using makeup with SPF is just like wearing regular facial sunscreen.
FALSE. Certainly, applying makeup that contains SPF is better than skipping it altogether, but it's not as effective as wearing a facial lotion with sunscreen underneath. Generally, most makeup cracks on skin, allowing UV rays through.
"For makeup to provide adequate ultraviolet protection, it would need to be applied in a really thick layer, which most women do not do," Gilman says.
So unless you plan to spackle on your foundation, smooth on a layer of lotion with sunscreen first and then apply your makeup.
5. Sunscreen can cause cancer.
FALSE. The only way sunscreen could be hazardous to your health is if it is absorbed into the body, which does not happen, says Amy Wechsler, MD, dermatologist and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin. "UV rays break down the chemical molecules in some sunscreens relatively quickly, long before they can seep into skin."
Still concerned? Use a sunscreen containing physical blocking ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which stay on the surface of the skin as a protective barrier. Don't be tempted to use babies' or children's sunscreens, which don't necessarily contain physical blocks.
Also, you should check the "active ingredients" section on the label to see what the bottle contains. Even the same product can vary from year to year.
6. "Water-resistant" sunscreen doesn't need to be reapplied after swimming.
FALSE. "No sunscreen is truly waterproof," Wechsler says. The FDA agrees. Sunscreens are allowed to call themselves "water-resistant" but not "waterproof," and their labels have to say how long the water resistance lasts.
You should reapply sunscreen every two hours, and every time you get in and out of the water or work up a sweat.
7. Wearing sunscreen can lead to vitamin D deficiency.
FALSE. No doubt about it: You need vitamin D (which your body can make when exposed to the sun). But that doesn't give you a no-SPF pass.
"You still get enough sun to make plenty of vitamin D through the sunscreen," says Brett Coldiron, MD, a dermatologist at the University of Cincinnati.
It can be harder to make vitamin D during the winter or when you're older. But you can still get vitamin D from fortified foods or supplements. The Institute of Medicine recommends that most adults get 600 IUs of vitamin D a day. Some people may need more, so check with your health care provider.
8. Sunscreen with antioxidants provides better UVA/UVB protection.
TRUE. While they aren't active sunscreen ingredients, antioxidants are great SPF supplements. Sunscreen alone does not block all of the damaging rays from the sun -- even an SPF of 50 blocks out only 98% of UV rays. "Antioxidants are a good way to catch the UV radiation that 'sneaks' past the sunscreen," Gohara says. Sunscreens infused with antioxidants, such as skin-loving green tea extract or polyphenols from tomatoes and berries, are proven to reduce the formation of free radicals (small chemical particles that wreak havoc on skin and can cause skin cancer) in the presence of UV light.
Here's what Web MD had to say about protecting your kid's skin :
Protecting Your Skin From the Sun - Topic Overview
Protecting your skin
Most skin cancer can be prevented. Use the following tips to protect your skin from the sun. You may decrease your chances of developing skin cancer and help prevent wrinkles.
Although people with darker skin don't sunburn as easily, they can still get skin cancer. So it's important to use sun protection, no matter what your skin color is.
Avoid sun exposure
The best way to prevent a sunburn is to avoid sun exposure.
Stay out of the midday sun (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon), which is the strongest sunlight. Find shade if you need to be outdoors. You can also calculate how much ultraviolet (UV) exposure you are getting by using the shadow rule: A shadow that is longer than you are means UV exposure is low; a shadow that is shorter than you are means the UV exposure is high.
Other ways to protect yourself from the sun include wearing protective clothing, such as:
- Hats with wide 4 in. (10 cm) brims that cover your neck, ears, eyes, and scalp.
- Sunglasses with UV ray protection, to prevent eye damage.
- Loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- Clothing made with sun protective fabric. These clothes have a special label that tells you how effective they are in protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays.
Preventing sun exposure in children
You should start protecting your child from the sun when he or she is a baby. Because children spend a lot of time outdoors playing, they get most of their lifetime sun exposure in their first 18 years.
- It's safest to keep babies younger than 6 months out of the sun.
- Teach children the ABCs of how to protect their skin from getting sunburned.
- A = Away. Stay away from the sun in the middle of the day (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon). Seek shade. Be sure to use sun protection when you are near water, snow, or sand, because the sun's rays reflect off of these.
- B = Block. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to protect babies' and children's very sensitive skin.
- C = Cover up. Wear clothing that covers the skin, hats with wide brims, and sunglasses with UV protection. Even children 1 year old should wear sunglasses with UV protection.
- S = Speak out. Teach others to protect their skin from sun damage. Tanning beds can cause the same skin damage as sunburns and suntanning.
