My wife would be the first one to tell you that I use a lot of sunscreen whether it is here around Seattle or on vacation in Maui. Many of my patients have heard me tell them to use it if they do not want to look like a thick brown piece of leather when they are older. Having said that, kids do like to have fun in the sun, which is why we have sunscreen.
These days there are so many sunscreen options out there it is hard to know which one to pick. They are all the same, right? The answer is no. Some have better protection than others and some are safer than others. When it comes to higher SPF ratings, at some point it becomes a numbers game. Most people do not apply enough sunscreen nor do they reapply it often enough. Ideally it should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied at least every 2 hours and following excessive sweating or swimming.
Besides using sunscreen it is also important to cover up, hang out in the shade, and avoiding the noontime rays, as these are some other great sun protection methods. I love the protective SPF rash suits for that day at the beach as regular clothing gives a false sense of security.
The best sunscreens contain zinc or titanium. “They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor.” as stated on the Environmental Working Group Web site.
Avoid sunscreens with retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, which studies indicate may speed the development of skin tumors in the presence of sunlight.
When sunscreen gets in the eyes as it commonly does, rinse them with lots of water. If the irritation continues despite this then it may be time to go see the doctor.
Don’t get burned. The goal is to prevent sunburns 100% of the time. A sunburn represents significant skin damage. The earliest sign of sunburn is redness of the skin. Once the damage is done, there is no quick fix as the treatments just ease the discomfort. Typical treatments include cold compresses and applying aloe. If blisters are present, the best advice is to leave them alone and let them rupture on their own as they serve as a protective covering.
Sunscreen does prevent Vitamin D production. Even knowing this, most of us will still get enough Vitamin D during the summer months but clearly living in the Northwest, most of us need a little extra Vitamin D from September to June.
Another great piece on what to watch for and look for in sunscreen products. Did not know to look for certain elements in the sunscreen, especially to try to minimize risk of development of skin tumors in sunlight. I learned when I was pregnant that I should avoid products with Retinol@ – is this a derivative or related to retinyl palmitate – and is there a laundry list of products with either of these elements we should avoid with our children? Thanks again for the timely and relevant info!