When you head out into the sunshine with your children, it’s so important to do the right things in terms of UV protection. Just one bout of sunburn dramatically increases their chances of skin cancer later in life, so what you do now will affect them, pretty much for the rest of their lives. So, we help to provide some clarity on the subject now, with our 10 facts about kids sunscreen.
10 Fun Facts About Sunscreen For Children
Fact 1 – You need a broad spectrum sunscreen product that protects the skin against both UVA and UVB rays, as without it, your kids are only partially protected.
Fact 2 – UVB rays are those responsible for sunburn, but they can’t pass through clouds. However, UVA rays can, which means that sunscreen should be worn all year round.
Fact 3 – Kids sunscreen comes in a variety of different forms, from lotions to sprays to sunscreen sticks. You’ll also find it sold in chemical and mineral types.
Fact 4 – SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and it relates to the amount of time it would take for you to burn with it on. It’s a simple equation e.g. an SPF 30 product means that it would take 30 times longer for you to burn when wearing it.
Fact 5 – The two most common types of skin cancer associated with not wearing sunscreen are squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Fact 6 – SPF 30 isn’t twice as effective as SPF 15! The difference between the amount of UV protection each strength provides is smaller than you think. SPF 15 protects against 93% of the sun’s rays, with SPF 30 and 50 offering 97% and 98% respectively.
Fact 7 – Many people are turning to mineral kids sunscreen because of the damage that chemical brands are causing to the world’s coral reefs. By switching, you can do your bit to ensure these areas of natural beauty are preserved.
Fact 8 – If your little ones have been in the water or have otherwise gotten wet, you should reapply sunscreen to their skin, in addition to applying it every 2-3 hours.
Fact 9 – Sunscreen should also be worn by your kids when they’re wearing light clothing, as thin fabrics are not enough to stop UV rays from getting to the skin.
Fact 10 – The most common areas missed by parents applying sunscreen to their child’s skin are the ears, backs of the legs, hands, and tops of the feet. The lips are another area that can get burnt, but it’s easy to avoid with a good SPF chapstick.
Keeping Your Kids Protected in the Sun Is Crucial
There’s no real debate about whether kids sunscreen should be in your bag or in your cupboard at home because it’s something of a no-brainer. Without it, the skin gets damaged, it’s that simple. We hope these useful nuggets of wisdom about sunscreen help you provide the protection your kids need more easily.