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SUN CARE
MOMS AND DR. LEVY TALK ABOUT SAFE FUN IN THE SUN
EXPERT ADVICE FOR SAFE FUN IN THE SUN
Get ready. Here comes the sun. To help you keep your little one sun-safe this season, AVEENO® Baby experts partnered with pediatric dermatologist Dr. Levy. Together we discussed how to protect baby's delicate skin from the sun.
Dr. Levy, MD has been Chairman of the Dermatology Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics, was past President of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, and is a clinical professor in Dermatology and Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He currently is the Chief of Pediatric Dermatology at Dell Children's Medical Center.
MOM: What sun protection does my newborn need?
DR. L: Children younger than six months should be kept away from direct sunlight as much as possible and should be dressed in protective clothing. There are new fabrics that can absorb UV rays. If sun exposure can't be avoided, a cream or lotion with SPF 15 or higher can be used. Don't use adult, alcohol-based spray sunscreens on infants since these can be inhaled or irritate the eyes.
MOM: What sun protection do you recommend for toddlers and older kids?
DR. L: For older children, you should take into consideration how a sunscreen feels on the skin. For this age group, you can choose from lotions, creams, and sprays, whichever suits you (and them!) best. Children's sensitive skin requires a higher SPF.
MOM: How do UV rays affect me and my family's health?
DR. L: Two types of UV rays that come from the sun are UVA (longer wavelengths) and UVB (shorter wavelengths). One of the beneficial things UVB rays do is aid in the body's creation of vitamin D. But UV rays are mostly damaging to your skin. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause sunburn, premature aging, and if exposure is spread over years, even cancer. That's why the main goal of sun care is to protect you and your family's skin against exposure to UV rays.
MOM: When is sun care most critical?
DR. L: The bulk of sun exposure happens within the first 18 years of life. Sun protection during these years is critical. Nonetheless, sun protection is important at any age. Ideally good sun care habits start early and last a lifetime. Putting on sunscreen before going outdoors should become as natural as brushing teeth before bed.
MOM: Can sunblock lead to a vitamin D deficiency?
DR. L: Protection against UV damage heavily outweighs this concern. Depending on where you live and your skin type, it only takes 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure for your body to create vitamin D. And vitamin D is also readily available through your diet.
MOM: How much sunscreen should we use?
DR. L: As much as an ounce of sunscreen should be applied between 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen wears off over time and should be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours (more often if you're active) and whenever children go into the water. Remember sunscreen should be reapplied even on cloudy days.
MOM: What about allergies?
DR. L: Allergic reaction to some sunscreens ingredients is common. I recommend using fragrance free products for children. Natural ingredients, such as oatmeal extract, are also helpful due to their soothing properties.
MOM: What ingredients should I look for in a sunscreen?
DR. L: Benzophenone-based sunscreens provide better UVB coverage compared with cinnamates, which provide better UVA protection. Parsol also tends to provide a broad range of protection.
Meet the #1 baby sunblock recommended by dermatologists:
AVEENO® Baby Continuous Protection® Sunblock Lotion with SPF 55
