A Pediatrician's Perspective on Sun Safety for Kids and Teens

The summer is our absolute favorite time of the year, and many of our families agree. With so much to do, hopefully, your kids and teens are spending time most of the day outside having adventures! But fun in the sun can be downright dangerous. In fact, it can be hazardous to your child's health. This blog outlines the damaging effects of the sun, why a base tan is not a sign of health (it is actually a sign of cellular damage), and sun safety tips you can incorporate starting today.

The Sun

Oh, how we love the sun. The feeling of warmth when the rays hit our faces after a long gray winter is sublime. A child's skin is more delicate and susceptible to sun damage than adult skin. Five or more sunburns, especially in childhood, significantly increase the risk of skin cancer later in life and double the risk of melanoma, the most serious form.

The Myths

Sunburns are often misunderstood. Popular belief - especially for those of us who lived through the using baby oil to tan phase - is that a tan is a sign of health, but that could not be further from the truth. If only this knowledge would take over! Melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, also has the job of protecting it against the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. Skin gets darker because the body produces more melanin to protect it. The amount of melanin that your body produces depends on genetics, but whether you are dark-skinned or light, that increased melanin production is a sign of cellular damage to the skin. And every burn - whether skin turns light pink or blistering red, is a sign of injury.

Going back to the belief that a suntan is a sign of health, we get it; a suntan is "in," but if you retrain your brain to think of it as cellular damage, perhaps you can teach your children to safeguard their skin. A suntan may look good right now - but it results in premature aging of the skin. So, teach kids that tanned skin can lead to wrinkled skin and possibly skin cancer. As much as skincare is popular with kids, tweens, and teens these days, that should hopefully get their attention.

Another misconception is that black and other dark-skinned people do not need to wear sunscreen. This is most certainly not true. Dark skin gets darker with unprotected sun exposure. Remember, when skin gets darker, it is a sign of damage.

So now that we've talked about the sun and the myths surrounding suntans and sun exposure, here are our top tips for keeping your kids sun-safe this summer:

Five Top Sun Safety Tips for Kids and Teens

1. Sunscreen is Your Best Friend (and theirs - no matter what they say):
This is non-negotiable. For children over 6 months, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher generously to all exposed skin. Look for formulations specifically designed for kids, as they are often mineral-based (containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) and less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

• Application matters: Don't skimp! Use about an ounce (a shot glass full) for a full-body application.
• Don't forget the often-missed spots: The ears, neck, tops of feet, and even the scalp (especially for those with thinning hair or shorter styles). Don't forget about the bathing suit line. Lots of bums get burned this way!
• Reapply, reapply, reapply! Every two hours, or more frequently, if swimming or sweating. Even "water-resistant" sunscreens lose effectiveness over time.
  It is best to keep infants under 6 months out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen.

2. Seek Shade, Especially During Peak Hours:
The sun's rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM. This is prime time for sun damage. Encourage outdoor play in shaded areas – under trees, awnings, or pop-up tents. Plan your outings to avoid prolonged direct sun exposure during these hours. Early mornings and late afternoons are perfect for outdoor fun.

3. Dress for Success (Sun-Safe Success, That Is!):
Clothing is an excellent first line of defense. Opt for:

• Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabrics offer excellent protection. Many brands now design UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing specifically designed to block UV rays.
• Wide-brimmed hats: A hat that shades the face, ears, and neck is essential for protection. Baseball caps don't offer enough protection for the ears and neck.
• UV-protective sunglasses: Protect those precious little eyes from harmful UV rays. Look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays. There are even specially designed sunglasses for babies featuring wrap-around bands to keep them in place.

4. Hydration is Key:
While not directly a sun safety tip, staying well-hydrated is crucial when spending time outdoors in the heat. Offer water frequently, even if your child doesn't ask for it. Dehydration can exacerbate the effects of heat exposure.

5. Lead by Example:
Kids are excellent imitators! Show them that sun safety is vital by practicing good habits yourself. Wear your sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. A good practice is to apply sunscreen when getting ready in the morning (consider it moisturizer!) and then reapply it throughout the day based on sun exposure. Add a sunshirt to the mix, and you'll be a superstar in our book! Talk to them about why you're doing it in an age-appropriate way. And if they're old enough and you've had skin cancers or even precancers, share your story. Be a lesson learned for why they should take care of their skin.

What to do in the event of a sunburn

Even with the best precautions, sunburn can still occur. If your child gets a sunburn:

• Cool the skin: Apply cool compresses or give them a cool bath.
• Moisturize: Use an aloe vera gel or a gentle moisturizer to soothe the skin. Avoid petroleum-based products.
• Pain relief: For discomfort, you can give age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Watch for signs of severity: Blistering, fever, chills, or headache warrant a call to your pediatrician.

Sun exposure is a part of a life well lived, and we wholeheartedly believe that kids should spend as much time as possible outside, having adventures. But before heading out, sunscreen should be applied and reapplied throughout the day. Parents, you have the opportunity to shape your child's perception of tans and sun exposure. Ensure they know the truth. Their health depends on it.