How to Protect Your Child’s Skin from the Sun

*Collaborative Post

When summer comes around it is inevitable that children will want to bask and play in the sun. While this is healthy and should be encouraged, too much exposure to sun rays can cause damage to the skin.

As a parent, this is obviously the last thing that you want. However, in order to prevent damage to your child’s skin, there are certain precautions that you will need to take. Here is a look at how you can keep their skin as healthy as possible and how to protect your child’s skin from the sun.

Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

It doesn’t matter whether the day is sunny or cloudy, your child should be using broad-spectrum environmentally friendly sunscreens on their skin. Always apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before your child goes out in the sun. 

This will allow it to be absorbed into the skin. Do not forget to also put sunscreen on the back of your child’s neck, if their hair is very short. 

Remember that you need to reapply sunscreen often. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least every two hours. Especially if your child has been out swimming or they have sweated a lot.

Even if your child is sheltered under an umbrella, at the beach, you should always use sunscreen. This is because UV rays from the sun will reflect from the sand.

Limit Time in the Sun

As much as possible you should try to limit your child’s time in the sun. You should have a set amount of time that they spend in the shade and another portion of time where they are allowed to be out in the sun.

The sun is hotter and most damaging between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 pm. Limiting their activity in the sun to before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. is the best way to ensure that you prevent sun damage.

Wear Protective Clothing

It is important that you allow your child to wear protective clothing when they are out in the sun. There are swimming outfits that have UV protection in them. These new types of swimwear are to be embraced. However, They cannot replace the need for sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

When you combine swimwear that has protection against UV rays with sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brim hats, and umbrellas when necessary, your child will receive maximum protection from harmful UV rays.

Enjoy the Sun

Summer is a wonderful time of the year. Children are out of school and they are free to frolic and play outdoors. However, while they should enjoy the sun, you need to take precautions to ensure that they do not get overly exposed. Harmful UV rays can cause irreparable damage to the skin.

 UV rays can also cause sunburn.  All you have to do is to prevent this is to just make sure that your child is properly protected whenever they go outdoors and limit their time in the sun.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.