Safe sun protection for children

The article was professionally consulted by resident Doctor Duong Van Sy - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. Doctor has 09 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause sunburn, skin damage, eye damage, and skin cancer. The harmful effects of UV rays that accumulate during childhood and adolescence are strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer later in life.

Skin cancer is one of the preventable cancers, in which using sunscreen for children is simple, easy to do and highly effective. Besides, parents also need to set an example for their children in maintaining good sun protection habits, because children are easy to follow by observing the behavior of parents and caregivers.

Children under 12 months of age should not be exposed to direct sunlight when UV intensity is 3 or higher because of the risk of sunburn. Sunburn increases your chances of getting skin cancer. Sunburn doesn't just happen during the summer holidays, and kids can get it even when it's cloudy.
There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan. And tanned skin does not protect children's skin from sun damage. The Australasian College of Dermatology does not recommend the widespread use of sunscreen for infants under 6 months of age.
Protective measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and wide-brimmed hats are the best protection for babies, and sunscreen should only be used on very small areas of skin.
Some parents worry about their child's skin reacting to sunscreen. There are many sunscreens made for babies or children that are gentle on sensitive skin. Before deciding to use sunscreen on children, it is advisable to test the sunscreen on a small area of ​​skin to make sure there is no reaction.

Just a few large sunburns can increase a child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don't have to be at the pool, the beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs to be protected from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever in the outside environment. Here are some sun safety tips for children:
Find shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful at noon, so it's best for children to choose indoor activities around this time. If that's not possible, seek shade under a tree, umbrella or canopy. Use these items to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it occurs. Cover. When possible, dress your child in long-sleeved shirts, pants, and skirts that offer UV protection. Clothes made of tightly woven fabrics provide the best protection. Wet T-shirts have much lower UV protection than dry ones, and darker colors can offer more protection than lighter ones. Some clothing that is certified to international standards will clearly provide information about its UV protection factor. Wear a hat. The wide-brimmed hat can cover the face, scalp, ears and neck, easy to use and has good protection. Baseball caps are popular among children, but they do not protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect sun-exposed areas with sunscreen. Wear sunglasses. They can protect a child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that are designed to wrap around the eyes and block as close to 100% of UVA and UVB rays as possible. Apply sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and protection from UVA and UVB rays (broad spectrum) every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don't forget to protect your ears, nose, lips and feet. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling. Parents remember to bring sunscreen to reapply during the day, especially after children go swimming or exercising. This also applies to both waterproof and water-resistant sunscreens. Sunscreens do not have the same ingredients; if your child's skin reacts badly to one product, try another product or call the doctor. Remember that sunscreen is not meant to allow children to get more sun exposure. Try combining sunscreen with other measures to block harmful UV rays.
Remember to spend a lot of time in the shade during the time when the sun is strongest. Usually, this time lasts from 11 am to 3 pm during the day and from March to October of the year.

Some things to keep in mind when it comes to sun protection for children include:
Parents should set an example for children and implement sun protection habits so that they are ready to do the same. When the UV index is 3 or higher, make sure that your child's skin is always protected. Children under 12 months of age should not be exposed to direct sunlight when UV levels reach 3 or more, and sunscreens should be avoided on infants under six months of age. Keep your child in the shade from 11am to 3pm Choose appropriate clothing and sunglasses for your child

Don't rely solely on sunscreen to protect your child from the sun. Wear appropriate clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun is hottest.
When buying sunscreen for children, pay attention to the following parameters on the label:
Sun protection factor (SPF): at least 30 to protect against UVB rays UVA protection factor : at least 4 stars. UVA protection can be indicated by the letters "UVA" in a circle, indicating that this sunscreen meets EU standards. Make sure children's sunscreen is not past its expiration date. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years. Do not stay in the sun for long without using sunscreen.

The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects the skin from ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. SPFs are rated on a scale of 2 to 50+ based on how much protection they provide, with 50+ equating to the strongest UVB protection.
The star rating or the number of stars indicates the level of protection against ultraviolet A (UVA). You will see a star rating of up to 5 stars for UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating the better, which equates to good UVA protection.
The letters "UVA" inside a circle are European accents. This means UVA protection is at least one-third of the SPF value and meets EU recommendations.
Sunscreens that protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays are sometimes called broad-spectrum sunscreens.

Most people don't put on enough sunscreen. According to the instructions, the amount of sunscreen to be used depends on the area of ​​​​the skin to be protected, for example:
2 teaspoons of sunscreen should be used if you want to protect the head, arms and neck area. Use 2 tablespoons of sunscreen if you need to cover the whole body when wearing a swimsuit. If sunscreen is applied too thin, the ability to protect the skin will be reduced. If you're worried that you might not be getting enough SPF30, you can use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
In addition, if you plan to keep your child in the sun for a long time, to reduce the risk of sunburn, parents need to apply sunscreen to their child twice: 30 minutes before going outside and right before going outside.
Children's sunscreen should be used on all exposed skin, including face, neck, ears, and head if the child has thin or no hair, but it is better to wear a wide-brimmed hat for the child when out in the sun.
Children's sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly and according to the manufacturer's instructions. This includes applying the cream as soon as a child is exposed to water, even if the sunscreen for children is "water resistant" or after drying with a towel or sweating. Children's sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, as the sun can dry out a child's skin.
Children need to provide enough elemental zinc/day for them to eat well, reach the correct height and weight and exceed the standard. Zinc plays a role in affecting most biological processes taking place in the body, especially the breakdown of nucleic acids, proteins... Organs in the body when zinc deficiency can lead to a There are a number of diseases such as neurological disorders, irritability, etc. Therefore, parents need to learn about the role of zinc and guide them to appropriate zinc supplements for their children.
In addition to zinc, parents also need to supplement their children with other important vitamins and minerals such as lysine, chromium, B vitamins,... errands.
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.

Articles refer to sources: rch.org.au, nhs.uk, cdc.gov