Our partners at the University of Minnesota – Division of Pediatric Dermatology are bringing you some important summer skin care information. Read on to find out more about keeping your family protected!
Allow us to introduce ourselves: We are four Twin Cities moms who, like you, need to make decisions every day about our kids’ health. We also happen to be pediatric dermatologists. That means after completing medical school and training in both pediatrics and dermatology, we completed fellowships to get special training in treating common—and uncommon—childhood skin diseases. Because of our unique expertise, we receive countless questions about skin from the parents of our patients, as well as family and friends. In the spring and summer, questions about sun protection and especially sunscreen are very common.
Why is sun protection important?
Decades ago, a suntan was thought to be a sign of health. Parents urged kids to go outside and get more sun. Now, Baby Boomers are paying the price: Many have had to visit their dermatologist for skin cancer or pre-skin cancer treatment. We know now that the sun is a source of radiation, which comes in two forms: UVA and UVB rays. Exposure to both over time leads to skin aging and skin cancer.
Because sun exposure in early childhood can dramatically affect the risk of skin cancer in adulthood, parents must start protecting their children from the sun at a young age. As parents, we insist that our kids wear bike helmets, and make them brush their teeth before bed. In a similar fashion, we need to learn to make sun protection a routine for our children.
What are my options for sun protection?
Parents have lots of choices to make about the best sun protection strategy for our families. It’s important to understand that sunscreen is not the only way to protect kids from the sun’s radiation. In fact, sunscreen may not even be the “best” method in some circumstances. Let’s talk about the other strategies first:
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Seek shade
Choose the playground that is surrounded by trees or has a shade structure in place. Bring an umbrella or a tent to the beach. When out at a restaurant, find the table under the awning—not the one roasting in the sun.
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Avoid peak sun hours
Schedule outdoor activities outside the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which are typically when the sun is at peak intensity.
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Choose swimwear and clothing with intention.
Have you noticed that many of your favorite retailers have started to sell swimsuits that have a T-shirt or long sleeve shirt as the top? This is not just a new fashion trend. Some clothing and swimwear is better at protecting your child’s skin than sunscreen ever will be. When shopping, be sure to look for labeling that says the item has a UV protection factor, or UPF, of 50 or higher. Regular clothing, even cotton, does offer some protection from UV rays. Of course, the amount of protection varies depending on the thickness and weave of the fabric. When shopping for kids clothing, we also suggest avoiding spaghetti straps or other cuts that leave extra exposed skin. One of the most common locations for melanoma in young women is on the shoulder. Enough said.
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Insist that your kids wear hats.
Donning a hat is most effective way to protect the scalp, which is exposed to plenty of sun over the years. A hat will also protect the face, neck and ears of your child if you choose one that has at least a two-inch brim. We know many children will try to ditch their hat as soon as possible. But the earlier you teach your kids that outdoor fun is contingent on them wearing a hat, the easier this will become.
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Use sunglasses.
Although we are not eye doctors, our expert colleagues in this field would second this suggestion. Like the skin, eyes need sun protection too.
Let’s talk sunscreen.
Now, let’s get into the sunscreen discussion. It goes without saying that sunscreen, when used in appropriate amounts and applied often enough, can prevent skin cancer later in life. Before you choose one for your family, however, you should review these basic tips:
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Consider the SPF rating.
Most dermatologists agree that an SPF of 30 or higher is best. That said, SPF ratings higher than 50 offer little additional benefit, so a higher rating isn’t always better. Do not rely solely on the SPF number. An SPF rating only refers to protection from the effects of UVB rays, which cause sunburn. There is no equivalent number for UVA protection. Instead, examine the bottle to see whether the sunscreen is labeled “Broad Spectrum.” This term means the sunscreen has protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
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There is a difference between “chemical” and “physical” sunscreens.
This distinction refers to the active ingredients in sunscreen. Most sunscreen ingredients are chemicals, which need to be absorbed into skin to work. Common examples include avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, oxisalate and padimate. Physical ingredients are things like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which form a layer on top of the skin and deflect the sun’s rays. We generally recommend physical blockers. First, they are the most hypoallergenic. You should also choose this type if you are concerned about the application of chemicals to your child skin. Physical blockers are available in lotions, creams and sticks. We recommend the sticks for a quick application on the face.
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Infants need sun protection, too.
If you have an infant, it is much better to use the sun avoidance strategies we discussed above. But if you are unable to entirely avoid the sun and your infant has a small amount of skin exposed—for example, their little hands and feet when in a baby stroller or carrier–the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends applying sunscreen. For infants, we typically recommend that you choose a physical blocker sunscreen with active ingredients that are either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
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Be careful around “organic” or “baby-friendly” sunscreen.
“Organic” sunscreen is tricky, and a product labeled organic isn’t always gentle or hypoallergenic. In fact, many of the chemical sunscreens are technically organic. Our friends zinc oxide and titanium dioxide? Your chemistry professor would confirm that these are in fact inorganic! “Baby” or “baby-friendly” are two other terms we often encounter on product labels. They carry very little meaning and are often found on products packed with extra fragrances and chemical ingredients.
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What about the social media frenzy about toxic sunscreen?
Most of the frenzy about certain chemical sunscreen ingredients is just that: frenzy. As professionals in this field who care about your kids (and our own), we would like to clarify that chemical sunscreens are not, in fact, toxic. Numerous medical and scientific groups have carefully reviewed the evidence and have found that—when used in recommended amounts—these products are safe and ultimately prevent skin cancer.
When gathering advice about sunscreen, carefully consider the source of the information; many health blogs and magazine articles are authored by persons without a medical background. In the end, however, you get to choose how you’re going to protect your kids, and that doesn’t have to include chemical sunscreen! -
Sprays or lotions?
We side with the FDA on this one: Although spray sunscreens are convenient, we are concerned that children may accidently inhale the particles in these products. Unless there is no other product available, we suggest that parents choose lotions, creams or sticks instead.
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Is there truly a waterproof sunscreen?
Certainly not! That is why, as of 2012, sunscreen producers aren’t allowed to make this claim. They are, however, allowed to say their products are “water-resistant.” They then must report how long the product will offer the claimed SPF protection, for up to a maximum of 80 minutes.
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Can we talk about Vitamin D?
Sure! There is no disputing the fact that Vitamin D is important for health. But we (and the American Academy of Dermatologists) agree that it is better to get Vitamin D through your diet than from cancer-causing solar radiation.
We hope that we have answered some important questions and have empowered you to make this summer an extra safe one for your kids. See you at the park!
Dr. Ingrid Polcari, Dr. Kristen Hook and Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness (left to right in photo) are board-certified pediatric dermatologists at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. They treat patients with a range of skin conditions, including common newborn and childhood rashes, eczema and birthmarks and complex inherited skin diseases. They also perform minor procedures and laser treatments.
They see patients in Minneapolis, St. Paul and select locations throughout the metro area.
Dr. Christina Boull contributed to the post and will be joining the practice full-time in August.
For more information, visit https://childrens.mhealth.org/care/specialties/dermatology-pediatrics
