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By: Gail Erickson
Here are some easy steps to get in the habit of protecting your
child against the sun.
Infants and Toddlers (6 months - 5 years)
These are the best years to set the routine. Think of the
sunscreen as a layer of clothing. Apply a coat on the entire body
in the morning after pajamas are taken off but before the diaper
or underwear is put on. This also helps to prevent sunburn in
areas that weren’t exposed at the time of application but through
play have become exposed. If the child is in the water, waterproof
sunscreen should be used and re-application is needed every 40
minutes. Don’t forget toes, ears, noses and scalp if hair is thin.
Children (5 - 12 years)
Supervised application is key. Legs and arms are easy areas for
children to rub in themselves. Make sure backs, shoulders, ears
and noses are covered well. Some children’s clothing companies,
for example Land’s End, offer bathing suits with an SPF. This is
great for swimming lessons and long days at the beach.
Teenagers (13 - 19 years)
Acne-prone teens should use a mineral sunscreen, gel or alcohol
based product. Topical self-tanners are great alternatives to sun
exposure or tanning bed but teenagers should know they usually do
not contain an SPF. Sun-bed use is a risk factor in the formation
of melanoma.
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Apply at
least 15 minutes BEFORE sun exposure. Make it a priority. Do not
make it the last thing you do before your child jumps in the pool
or after you’ve carried all the sand toys onto the beach. Re-apply
every 2 hours or 40 minutes if in the water. Sensitive skin? There
is a new, highly water resistant mineral sunscreen by
Colorescience that is safe even for infants.
Gail Erickson is a licensed Clinical Esthetician with an English
degree from USF, Tampa. She works at Practically Frivolous, a
full-service salon in St. Petersburg. Please direct any skin care
questions to
gail_erickson@yahoo.com
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