Sunblock for children

Children are exposed to UV rays 3 times more than adults. So, when looking for a sunblock for children, I highly recommend you get to know what ingredients and qualities to look for. This has stuck in my mind and I relate it mostly to the fact that their skin is just so much more delicate and "non-hardened" by weather or the atmosphere! It's delicate, soft, pure and sensitive. This of course places them at a far higher risk of sun damage.

Firstly, choosing a physical or mineral sunblock for children that is free of chemicals is generally the best start. Ie. One that is made with either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These 'block', hence 'sunblock', rather than absorb the sun's rays, as with chemical based 'sunscreens'. They also provide excellent protection against both UVA and UVB rays and not just UVB rays as with most chemical sunscreen ingredients. Otherwise known as "broad-spectrum", it is vitally important to make sure you get both UVA and UVB protection.

Zinc oxide specifically, is much gentler on a child's skin and therefore less likely to cause irritation or negative allergic reactions. Sunblocks that contain Parsol 1789 (also known as avobenzone) is a chemical sunblock that tends to irritate young skin and may be something you'll want to avoid.

Chemical sunscreens may cause an irritation or allergic reaction because the skin absorbs the active ingredients. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on top of the skin however, forming a physical barrier against the sun's UV rays. However, if concerned about sensitive skin, look for a hypoallergenic and fragrance free labelled sunblock for children.

If your child is a baby younger than 6 months, please try and keep them out of the sun altogether if possible. If this is not practical, make sure you use lots of sunblock for children to protect your baby's beautiful young skin, but preferably get your doctor to approve it first. The American Academy of Pediatrics (1) recommends using sunscreen on infants for small areas only, such as the face, back of the hands and back of the neck if unprotected or if clothing protection is not adequate.

Besides increasing evidence that chemical sunscreens are toxic or even quite dangerous, there is not yet enough information about how young children will react to the ingredients. Also, part of the protection process for chemical sunscreens is that they take about 20 - 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and therefore be effective. Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide start protecting your skin as soon as you put them on.

If you do decide to use a chemical-based sunscreen for some reason, or your child has a sensitive skin, perform a skin patch test before going into the sun. This can be done by applying a small amount of the sunblock to the inside of the upper arm of your child. If any rash or redness develops by the end of the day, don't use it and obtain a real sunblock for children.

UVB protection is certified with a sun protection factor (SPF) and should be at least 15. Higher than SPF 30 is not actually that much more beneficial. You essentially get smaller and smaller amounts of added protection with each level increase. Examples... SPF30 provides 97% protection, SPF60 98% and SPF100 99%. However, in a chemical sunscreen this means a higher dose of unwanted chemicals!

Another aspect you may notice is that many so-called sunblocks for children are usually not different at all in ingredients from the adult versions.

The one thing many people make the mistake of doing is not to put enough sunblock on. Applying a good layer on every exposed part of your child's skin will ensure better protection. The prominent parts that are exposed more to the sun are the ears, nose, back of the neck, and shoulders. Make sure these are well covered. A sunblock for children that applies smoothly and easily helps here! But avoid sprays due to the potential of inhalation.

The next important thing to remember is to reapply the sunscreen at least every 2 hours that you may be out in the sunshine. Waterproof labeling is very misleading as there are none that are completely waterproof. Rather go for sunblock claiming to be water resistant as they are less likely to have toxic ingredients and you will then make sure to reapply often. Don't trust a label that promises to protect for eight hours, especially where youngsters are concerned as they are always so active. Reality is that you'll need to reapply every 2 hours, especially after getting wet and drying with a towel or sweating and wiping with a hand.

Also, keep in mind that many critics have a problem with the use of the term 'sunblock', since no product is capable of blocking all of the sun's rays.

Beyond all of this, when assessing the ingredients, try and look for a sunblock for children that is natural or organic. The amount of chemicals your child will be exposed to in their lifetime will create a health challenge for them. So the less you smother all over their skin the better.

50% - 80% of their lifetime sun exposure will on average be reached before they turn 18, so as parents if you teach your children healthy sun practices you are giving them a very important gift. In addition to teaching your children about the benefits of using sunblock, also show them how to apply it. Give them a chance to learn how to do it themselves (if they are of the right age to do so and won't eat it!) and remind them of the importance of reapplication. As your kids get older, they will retain this information, which will build good sun care habits to keep them safe well into adulthood.

Summary

Buy a sunblock for children that:

(1) American Academy of Pediatrics, Ultraviolet Light: A Hazard to Children, Pediatrics,1999:104: 328-333