The most common mistakes parents make when applying sunscreen to kids, according to a dermatologist
- Applying sunscreen properly to kids is particularly crucial since even one severe sunburn in childhood more than doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life.
- Insider interviewed Dr. Anna Bender, pediatric dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, to learn about the common mistakes parents and caregivers inadvertently make when putting sunscreen on kids.
- Some of those mistakes include not applying sunscreen often enough, forgetting to apply to often overlooked body parts, and skipping sunscreen while in the shade.
Every parent knows there's a good chance they might get kicked in the face while trying to apply sunscreen to a resistant child. They have to endure it, because even one severe sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles the risk of developing melanoma, a form of skin cancer, later in life.
But even a meticulous parent can make some common sunscreen mistakes. Insider spoke to Dr. Anna Bender, pediatric dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, about the errors parents and caregivers often make when trying to protect their children from developing sunburns — and how to avoid them.
While sunscreen is crucial, relying on that form of sun protection alone isn't enough. To effectively protect against sun damage, parents should also give children sunglasses and hats with wide brims to wear, Bender said.
When applying sunscreen, parents and caregivers commonly miss a number of body parts, including the ears, the hairline and the tops of the feet. The lips are another body part that often gets overlooked. The lower lip is particularly vulnerable to getting a sunburn since it directly faces the sun. That's why Dr. Bender recommends applying a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher.
Putting sunscreen on often is just as important as covering a child's entire body. According to Dr. Bender, parents should reapply every two hours and after children sweat or swim.
Sunscreen in a cream form is more effective than sprays or sticks
While sticks and sprays may be easier to put on — especially on young kids who resist — sunscreen in a cream form is most effective, since a parent is less likely to skip spots on a child's body when using it. But if a parent is going to use a a sunscreen stick, it's best to apply it twice to ensure the whole body gets covered. If using a spray, Dr. Bender advises rubbing it into the body, so it's applied all over.
But parents should never spray around — or near — a child's face or mouth, since a child could potentially inhale ingredients that are irritating to the lungs. Instead, an adult should spray the sunscreen into their own hands and then apply to a child's face.
When shopping for sunscreen, parents may fall for expensive brands that make unsubstantiated claims, especially if their kids have sensitive skin. But parents just need to look for sunscreens where zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is the active ingredient.
Even when a child is covered from head to toe, with sunscreen and protective gear, parents should still be mindful of the time of day they're venturing outdoors. When making the schedule, parents should take into consideration the UV index, when doing an activity outside.
That measure represents the amount of skin-damaging UV radiation reaching the earth's surface at any point during the day. Parents should plan to be outside when the UV index is lower, which is usually earlier in the morning or in the late afternoon.
If it's a cloudy day, it may tempting to skip sunscreen. But it's just as important to use sun protection under those conditions and even in the shade, since children can still get exposed to a lot of reflected sun, Dr. Bender said.
Wearing a rash guard can be even more protective than sunscreen, but it should be labelled UPF 50
When swimming, rash guards can actually be even more effective than sunscreen, since creams and spray wash off and lose efficacy over time. But parents should confirm that the top is actually protective and isn't just water-resistant. Dr. Bender recommends looking for rash guards that are labelled UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) 50. When a rash guard has that label, there's no need to apply sunscreen underneath, she said.
Baby skin is especially sensitive to the sun, but the official recommendation is for parents to wait until a baby is six months old to start applying sunscreen. But if there's no other way to protect a younger baby, then it's OK to use sunscreen in localized areas of the body, Dr. Bender said.
When putting sunscreen on a child who fights back against the task, holding them down may get the job done in the short term, but it likely won't make it any easier for future occasions. Dr. Bender recommends inviting young children and toddlers to rub in the sunscreen on their arms while the parent works on the rest of the body.
"This allows them to participate," Dr. Bender said, "and cuts down on some of the battle."
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