Fun in the Sun

Sun is the main cause of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the US. Skin cancer can and does occur in children and young adults, but most of the people who get skin cancer are older. Older people get skin cancer because they have already received too much of the sun’s damaging rays. Your skin remembers each sunburn and each suntan year after year.

To protect your child from the damaging rays of the sun:

Avoid direct sun exposure, especially between 10 am and 3 pm.
Use a hat with a brim that shades the child’s face.
Dress your child in clothing that covers the body, such as comfortable lightweight long pants and long sleeved shirts. Tightly woven fabrics block more sun.
Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight. If this cannot be avoided, select a sunscreen made for children and use on small areas of the body.
Use a SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, with the words “broad-spectrum” on the label. (This means that the sunscreen will screen out both UVB and UVA rays)
Rub the sunscreen in well 30 minutes before going outdoors, and repeat frequently (at least every 2 hours) if the child is playing in the water.
Don’t forget sunglasses—the eyes are very sensitive to sun, and can be damaged by long term sun exposure.
Be aware that certain oral medication, especially those used for acne treatment, may make your teenager more sensitive to sunburn.