Summer is upon us, and in my family, that means lots of fun in the sun. Unfortunately, unprotected sun exposure can cause sunburns.
Sunburns early in life can accelerate skin aging and, worse, increase the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, later in life. Thankfully, there are steps we can take to keep our children and ourselves protected.
Steps to Avoid Sun Exposure
The UV radiation is strongest between 10am and 4pm, peaking between 1pm and 3pm. Try to plan outdoor activities in the morning and late afternoon to avoid the harshest sunshine. Check the UV index, commonly available on weather apps. If the UV index is 3 or higher, there is a high risk of sunburn if unprotected. The sun’s UV radiation can even penetrate cloud cover, so the risk is still there even on cloudy days. However, many of our fun outdoor activities take place during these times, so how can you protect your family? Things like shade, hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing can go a long way. For any exposed skin, sunscreen is a must.
How to Pick a Sunscreen
When picking out a sunscreen, look for the following labels:
Broad Spectrum
- Look for a sunscreen that blocks UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays).
SPF between 15 and 50.
- SPF 30 or greater is probably best.
- There is little evidence that SPF greater than 50 provides much additional protection.
Water Resistance
- You want a water resistance of either 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
- There is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen.
Types of Sunscreen
There are two main types of sunscreen:
Inorganic (Mineral) Sunscreen
- These use the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to absorb, scatter, and reflect UV rays.
- They are more gentle and less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
- These may be better for young children or people with eczema.
- They sit on the skin’s surface, so they can leave a white cast.
Organic (Chemical) Sunscreen
- These use the active ingredients like avobenzone, octocrylene, and/or octisalate to absorb UV rays.
- These absorb and blend completely, but they can irritate sensitive skin.
- Of note, many people try to avoid the active ingredient oxybenzone due to possible safety concerns that are presently controversial.
- The safest bet currently is to look for oxybenzone-free sunscreens. But, the risk of using an oxybenzone-containing sunscreen is still lower than the risk of sunburn.
How to Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be applied liberally 15-30 minutes before going out into the sun.
Use the teaspoon rule:
- 1 tsp for face and neck
- 1 tsp for each arm
- 2 tsp for back/chest/abdomen
- 1 tsp for each thigh
- 1 tsp for each lower leg/foot
Don’t forget the small, exposed areas like ears, lips, scalp/hair part, tops of feet, etc.
Reapply sunscreen a minimum of every 2 hours, and more frequently if swimming or sweating.
Forms of Sunscreen
Sunscreens come in many different forms, including gels, lotions, sticks, and sprays. Gels and lotions will likely provide the best coverage, making them useful for general application. Sticks can offer better control, making them useful for the face and around the eyes, but they may miss spots when covering larger body parts. Sprays are convenient but need to be rubbed in to be most effective. The best sunscreen is the one that you can apply and reapply correctly and consistently. Any sunscreen is better than sunburn.
Infants under 6 months
For infants under 6 months, it is best to avoid direct sun exposure if possible. Use the above physical measures like shade, long-sleeved, lightweight clothing, and wide-brimmed hats. If direct sun exposure is unavoidable, use a minimal amount of sunscreen on exposed body parts. Preferably, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant, mineral-based sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. The sunscreen should be washed off the baby’s skin when they are back indoors.
Sunburn Treatment
Sometimes sunburns happen. There is no treatment to reverse UV-induced damage, but there are supportive care measures to make sunburn heal faster with less discomfort. For mild sunburns, start with a short, cool bath or cool running water to ease discomfort, but avoid ice. Moisturization with hypoallergenic lotion, cream, or aloe vera can reduce dryness. Pain medication like Ibuprofen, used as needed, can help with pain and inflammation. If the sunburn is severe or blistering, please make an appointment to be evaluated in our office.
Playing and being active outdoors is wonderful for the mind and body, but the risk of unprotected sun exposure is real. Thank goodness protective measures like sunscreen are available!
Have fun out there!
