It's evident that too much sun is harmful for our body skin! But how much sun is too much? Every parent's instinct is to protect their precious ones from harmful UV rays while keeping them sun safe. But how long are they supposed to enjoy fun in the sun? Their tender skin is vulnerable to sunlight and is too easy to get tans and sunburn!
WHY IS SUN PROTECTION SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG KIDS?
Harmful UV sun rays can put our health at risk! These sun rays are the culprit for sunburn, skin cancer, and early aging! Too much sun exposure will increase the risk of getting skin cancer. Therefore, parents need to be aware and always keep their kids sun-safe and protected.
Here's some guidance on helping you to protect your children from harmful sunlight:
DRESSING FOR PROTECTION
If you're thinking to take your kids to the beach or to the pool, be sure to get a cover up swimsuit with at least SPF30+ or higher to keep them sun-safe. Long sleeve is a better option as it covers more areas of the skin to prevent getting tanned! A sunhat is also essential to prevent head overheats under the sun, especially those with a broad brim!
USING A SUNSCREEN
A sunscreen is helpful to prevent sunburn! Choose water-resistant sunscreens with at least SPF30+ or higher to prevent sunburn more efficiently! Apply sunscreen on all the exposed areas of your babies' tender skin. And don't forget to reapply every two hours if you're having a longer daytime exposure at outdoor with your kids! Don't neglect this action even if it is cloudy or overcast because it doesn't mean there's no sun!
- 0 - 6 months newborn baby
Their skin is too sensitive to apply sunscreen and more prone to sun damage. Parents should be careful when picking the right sun protection that suits their age due to their tender skin. Prevent taking them out for a walk within the period from 10 am to 4 pm! You may use a baby stroller with cover to shield them against the sunlight during any outdoor activities.
- 6 - 12 months baby, toddler and up
This age range is now safe to apply sunscreen on the skin. Apply it on skin that is uncovered by clothes 30 minutes before going out. It's important to reapply every two hours as mentioned above!
STAYING OUT OF THE SUN
Be conscious that the UV sunlight is the strongest at the time between 10 am and 4 pm. Try to avoid exposure to the sun at these times! However, most of the outdoor activities are intended to carry out within this period of time. So, make sure your kids drink plenty of water and remember to take a break from the activities! Try not to have direct exposure to sunlight without wearing a long sleeve or a sunhat or with no sunscreen applied to prevent overheating!