Sun Safety 101 For Kids
Children's sun safety matters
Setting the tone for your kids to learn the importance of sun safety at a young age is very important. Teaching the importance of sun protection from a young age and being consistent leads to healthier skin for years to come. Sunburns during childhood are among the leading risk factors for skin cancer down the line, but only if sunscreen is used incorrectly. It could just be the little things, such as wearing a hat or applying sunscreen.
You want to try to keep your babies who are 6 months old or younger out of the direct sunlight. Children are far more sensitive to the UV rays than adults. Children's skin is 20% - 30% thinner than adult skin, due to the lack of a skin barrier and moisture retention. This makes a child's skin far more sensitive than an adult’s. This means children need more skin care attention to build a stronger skin barrier.
The basics
The basics to know for kids when learning about their suncare:
- Stanford’s SPF Recommendation for kids is SPF 30 or higher
- Regular vs water-resistant
Water-resistant sunscreen is always the better choice. Water-resistant sunscreen should last up to 80 mins. Non-water-resistant sunscreen has a shorter wear time and is not as safe for outdoor activities such as pool days, lake days, and waterslide parties. While you still need to reapply water-resistant sunscreen, it’s much more effective for longer durations.
- Safest sunscreen for kids
A mineral sunscreen is always the way to go! Mineral sunscreens last longer during outdoor wear, and are also organic and safe for the sensitive skin of kids.
How to correctly apply sunscreen
An important key point when applying sunscreen to kids is the placement. It’s easy to miss areas such as the ears, neck, lips, and feet; however, protection is crucial for every part of the body. When starting to apply the sunscreen for the whole body, apply a generous amount to create an even, glossy layer over all exposed skin to create the sun barrier.
Application 15 mins - 20 mins before going out into the sun is also very important so that the sunscreen has the time to absorb into your skin, dry, and create that protective layer that you want to protect your skin. Not forgetting to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating in the outdoors helps you constantly have that protective barrier on the skin that prevents sunburns and marks.
Sunburns
Getting a sunburn is a considerable issue for children 12 months or younger. Make sure to call your doctor right away for sunburn care advice. For older kids, the best way to soothe a sunburn is to hydrate the child with water or milk to help replenish lost fluid. Some key advice is to make sure children stay hydrated and out of the sun until their skin is fully healed. For older kids, if the sunburn is blistering, causing major pain, or your child is having a fever, calling the doctor is the right choice to make.
Protect today for tomorrow
Protecting your kids' skin from a younger age creates that lifelong tie to the self care that everyone needs. Forming habits around sun protection for yourself helps make it a priority for kids as they grow older. Prioritizing sun protection while outdoors is a win for the whole family.
Why Shade Rayz is the best sunscreen for kids
With its hydrating wear, no harsh chemicals, and fresh, lightly fragranced formula, Shade Rayz is one of the best sunscreen choices for children. The moisturizing sunscreens carry nontoxic ingredients perfect for children of any age. Clean ingredients can help parents feel confident in what they are putting on their kids' skin. With strong sun protection, a kid-friendly formula, and safe ingredients, Shade Rayz is an outstanding option for sunscreen for your child.
