Protecting Skin From the Sun

It can be difficult to make your child understand the importance of sun protection, but it’s a vital lesson. Tell your child about the dangers of the sun, such as wrinkles and skin cancer, and how to protect the skin. Teach your child to:

• Wear a hat and sunglasses when going outside.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when going outside, even on cloudy days. The sunscreen should either say it protects from UVA and UVB rays or offers “broad-spectrum” sun protection, which means the same thing. Look for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION®, which means the product provides the sun protection dermatologists recommend. It should be applied 15-30 minutes before your child goes outside.
• Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Wear clothes that cover the arms and legs, whenever possible.

To learn more, visit Skin Cancer.

 

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