Best Kid's Sun Safety Tips

Everyone, at every age, needs sun protection. But if you have kids, it’s easy to overlook their skin care – especially in the summer. After all, those lazy beach days can get long; some days might even be overcast. Here are a few vital tips to ensure that your child’s skin is well-protected.

1. Apply Proper Sunscreen

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. If you’re at the beach, you may want to try a water-resistant brand. And remember to re-apply the sunscreen often throughout the day and do not use sunscreen on a baby younger than 6 months of age and keep him or her out of direct sunlight.

2. Time Your Beach Fun Appropriately

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the sun is usually at its hottest. In many countries, midday will bring extreme heat. Time your beach fun to coincide with cooler hours of the day, or at least when the sun’s rays aren’t so harsh. And even if the kids are just playing in your backyard on the trampoline, monitor their outdoor activities when the temperatures are a bit hotter.

3. Find Easy Ways to Cover Up

Cover-ups such as sarongs, shawls and beach ponchos will keep your skin protected. For babies, use wide-brimmed cloth hats to shield their face and skin. Children swimming in the summer should wear wetsuits, or at least an upper-body cover-up– even when it doesn’t seem so hot. Remember, an overcast sky can be deceiving!

4. Protect Your Kids’ Eyes

Too much sun can ruin the cornea of the eye. This is the outer layer that can suffer more exposure to the sun outdoors. The long-term damages include blurred vision and headaches. Find a child-friendly pair of sunglasses for your kids to wear. Nowadays, there are many retail stores selling good-quality sunglasses with UV protection for children.

5. Know How to Treat a Sunburn

If your child does suffer a sunburn, natural soothers are aloe vera or coconut oil. You can purchase these in most drugstores and then keep a bottle on hand whenever you hit the beach. Also, a cool bath and cooling wet compresses can help to allay any pain. If your child develops blisters with a sunburn, that is a 2nd degree burn. At that time, you should be seen by your physician.