With the Tennessee heat coming in hot sun safety matters more than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes.
Before heading out for the day, apply sunscreen on your kids that’s at least 15 SPF (although many doctors recommend 30 SPF for children today). Remember: sunscreen takes 30 minutes to be effective after application. The additional benefits of using sunscreen with SPF 50+ are limited. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers these current recommendations:
BABIES 6 MONTHS & YOUNGER
— Keep out of direct sunlight and alway seek shade for your little ones. Dress babies in lightweight clothing covering their arms and legs and top them off with a hat.
— If there’s no way to avoid the sun, apply a minimal amount of 15 SPF sunscreen to small areas, including the face, neck and hands.
LITTLE & BIG KIDS
— Limit sun exposure between the peak hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
— Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater to all areas of skin not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming.
— Select clothing made of tightly woven fabrics. Cotton clothing is best.
—Wide-brimmed hats are recommended along with UV-protection sunglasses.
— Use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
— Zinc oxide is effective as additional protection on sensitive areas like the nose, cheeks, ears and shoulders.
6 BEST SUNSCREENS FOR BABIES & KIDS
1) Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby | $12.99
SPF 50. Gentle on sensitive skin with a tear-free formula.
2) Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Baby $15.49
SPF 30. Water resistant; provides broad spectrum of UV protection with zinc oxide built in.
3) Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen | $21.63
SPF 50. Enriched with colloidal oatmeal.
4) La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo Kids Sunscreen | $29.99
SPF 60. Features antioxidants and vitamin E.
5) All Good Kids Sunscreen Lotion | $15.99
SPF 30. Includes organic chamomile to soothe sensitive skin.
6) Hello Bello Sunscreen Lotion | $9.78
SPF 50. Mineral-based formula, safe for sensitive skin.
Source: health.com
