You Need To Start Putting Sun Cream On Kids Again From March
This article features medical advice from Dr Deborah Lee. We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI – prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
March is finally here, which means spring (or meteorological spring, anyway) has sprung – blossoms are blooming, bees and butterflies are reappearing, and the sun is actually emitting warmth.
It’s a miracle.
But with sunshine comes the sudden realisation that you should probably be stocking up on sun cream for those impending half-term holidays abroad... And also for sunny days here in the UK.
But when is the right time to be sending your kids off to school slathered in sunscreen? We asked Dr Deborah Lee, of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, for her expert advice.
When should children be wearing sun cream?
The NHS says from March to October, kids should be wearing at least SPF30.
Dr Lee agrees. “I would recommend parents start using sunscreen on their children right away,” she says, pointing to the NHS guidance on this.
“Skin protection is required when the UV index is 3 or above – and this can occur from March onwards. Sunburn can occur anytime from March onwards.”
UV index 3 is “moderate risk”, she says, meaning a child’s skin can burn after 10 minutes of sun exposure.
Babies and children have super sensitive skin. “Just one episode of blistering sunburn in childhood doubles the lifetime risk of melanoma. Even less severe episodes of sunburn damage the skin,” says Dr Lee.
The health service also advises children cover up with suitable clothing (long sleeves and a hat) and spend time in the shade, especially from 11am to 3pm.
Where and when to put sun cream on children
Parents are urged to apply sun cream to areas of skin not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands.
It’s best to do this when they’re getting ready for school or childcare in the morning – or, if your child is at home, before getting ready to go outside.
“Use around one teaspoon for the face and neck, and one teaspoon for each arm and leg,” says Dr Lee.
“You can make it fun by drawing faces on the skin to start with, then getting the child to help rub it in. However, it should be reapplied after two hours.”
Some parents have found using a makeup brush or sponge can help make the experience more fun for wriggly children.
Dr Lee suggests kids will probably need to take their sunscreen to school and might need help reapplying it during the day.
It’s worth noting some schools don’t allow kids to take sunscreen in due to the risk of allergies or accidental ingestion, so it’s important to ask your child’s teacher what the school’s sun protection policy is.
Which sun cream is best?
Dr Lee suggests parents should opt for suncream that has at least 4 star UVA protection. “Many dermatologists recommend children use an SPF 40 or higher,” she added.
She advises opting for a gentle preparation, which is fragrance-free, “preferably one containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide which are less likely to cause skin irritation”.
“Avoid sunscreen containing octinoxate, oxybenzone, or octocrylene which are endocrine disrupting chemicals,” she adds. “Also avoid any containingmethylisothiazolinone which is a common cause of skin allergy.
“If the child will be swimming, the sunscreen must also be water-resistant.”
For younger children, sunscreen sticks might be best as they are less messy and make application to difficult areas a bit easier.
“The stick needs to be rubbed to and fro, four times, on the area of skin and then rubbed in,” she explains.
“Sunscreen sprays are also quick and easy. The advice is to spray the sunscreen on the skin until it glistens, then rub it in.”
Here are some product recommendations if you’re unsure where to start...