Is Summer the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors? It’s the time to enjoy the warmth of the sun and take the kids out to the park to play. However, remember, safety first; it’s better to be safe than sunburnt. The exposure of your children’s skin to the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun can affect them in the future. Today, there might be a few sunburns, but the continuous exposure of the skin to ultraviolet rays makes it prone to cancer.
Should you resort to keeping the kids locked up indoors because you don’t want them to be at risk? Of course not! They can still go out this summer at zero risks with the proper precautions. Here, we have compiled a list of top skincare and sun protection for your kids to stay safe this summer. Read through!
Go for sunscreen products with higher SPF
Whatever you do, choose a children-friendly sunscreen with higher SPF. As stated by the skincare enthusiast Kryz Uy, a higher SPF (non-comedogenic) means that the sunscreen gives more protection and does not adversely affect the skin. The minimum SPF you should purchase is SPF 15, as a lower SPF means mild protection and will quickly wear off.
When choosing a sunscreen for your kids, purchase the ones with;
- At least SPF 30 for maximum protection
- Mineral ingredients (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide)
Also, slather sunscreen on all skin types, don’t take any chances. Darker skin tones may have been less prone to ultraviolet rays. Still, you should apply sunscreen because they are not a hundred percent immune to the rays. To avoid complications of any sort, do not assume that the sun protection precautions are unneeded.
Choose a lotion sunscreen instead of spray
Spray sunscreen may take less time to apply, but it is advisable to use lotion sunscreen for your children because of the following reasons;
- Spray sunscreen is flammable and can be a fire hazard.
- You may not be able to properly apply the sunscreen as you might miss some spots while spraying.
- The spray may get into your child’s nostrils, eyes, and mouth. This is risky and may irritate.
However, if the sunscreen you have at hand is a spray, you can apply it more safely by pressing the spray on your hand before rubbing it on your kids.
Cover infants and babies up completely
Babies less than 6 months old should be covered up entirely because the use of sunscreen on their still very sensitive skin is not advisable. Don’t take a baby less than 6 months old out between 11 am to 3 pm when the sun is intense, but if you must, use an umbrella to keep them out of the sun. And when you take them out after the previously stated hours, wear light clothes that completely cover the baby.
Wear protective eyewear and clothing accessories
Wear sunglasses for your kids to protect their eyes from the sun, infants inclusive. When purchasing the protective goggles for them, ensure they can block UVB and UVA radiation and are strong enough to withstand a moderate amount of force. Apart from protective eyewear, you can also get hats and umbrellas for your kids to further protect their skin from ultraviolet rays. To top it all, use sunscreen on the exposed part of their skin for maximum protection.
Keep the kids out of intense sunlight.
Regardless of the protection that the sunscreen offers, avoid taking the kids out when the sun is of high intensity to prevent skin damage, eye damage, and suppression of the immune system. Anytime from 11 am to 2 pm, the sun’s rays are powerful and may cause sunburns, especially for the kids. So, it is best to keep them indoors during those hours. And if you must make the trip, ensure you take extra precautions like protective clothing and accessories, slather sunscreen and try as much as possible to spend less time outdoors.
What if any of your kids get sunburnt? Apply aloe vera gel on the affected area immediately. The anti-inflammatory nature of the aloe vera gel helps to soothe the burn and prevent it from spreading further. Another solution is the oral intake of Vitamin D. Also, you should keep them out of the sun until the burn subsides. It is also essential that they stay hydrated and keep the space around them cool at all times.
Some home cures for sunburn comprise cold compresses, lavender in the bathwater, cool showers, chamomile oil, and pain relievers. With the above preventive tips, you and the kids can have fun during the season without any risk of skin complications. Enjoy your summer!