It's never too early to save your skin - or your
child's - from the sun. The sun produces invisible
rays—ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet
B (UVB)—that can cause short- and long-term
skin damage.
The immediate effects of harmful sunrays—sunburn,
photosensitive reactions (rashes), and cell and
tissue damage—are bad enough. But medical
experts believe that too much exposure to the
sun in childhood or adolescence causes skin cancer
and premature skin aging later in life. Health
experts also believe that UVA may weaken the immune
system.
You can take steps early and often to minimize
the sun's harmful effects. Using sunscreen with
an SPF of 15 or higher, like Noodle & Boo's
Play-Day
Sunscreen SPF 30, and sun-protective
clothing can reduce your children's risk of skin
damage later in life. It's important to understand
the label on sun protection products and shop
carefully before heading to the beach, tennis
court or park.
Sunscreens provide some protection by blocking
the sun's rays from the skin. Their sun protection
factor (SPF) indicates the level of protection
they provide. The higher the SPF, the greater
the protection against harmful sun rays. But no
sunscreen totally blocks the sun's rays. Even
people wearing high SPF sunscreens get some exposure.
To minimize the damage:
- Use water-resistant sunscreens
that help protect skin from both UVA and UVB
rays and that have SPF numbers of at least 15
(SPF 30 is the maximum).
- Apply sunscreen liberally (at
least one large handful) about 30 minutes before
going outside. No matter what sunscreen product
is used, reapply it after swimming, toweling,
or any vigorous activity that causes heavy perspiration.
Toweling off can remove even water-resistant
sunscreens.
- Talk with camp counselors and
others with child-care responsibilities about
reapplying sunscreens after children play hard,
perspire or swim.
- Remember to apply sunscreen
to children's skin even when they are under
a beach umbrella. The sun's rays can reflect
off surrounding concrete or sand.
Sun-protective clothing also protects children
from the negative effects of the sun. Sun-protective
fabrics differ from typical summer fabrics in
several ways. Sun-protective fabrics typically
have a tighter weave or knit, and usually are
darker in color. Garments made with these fabrics
generally have a label listing the garment's ultraviolet
protection factor (UPF), that is, the level of
protection the garment provides from the sun's
harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The higher the
UPF, the greater the UV protection.
The UPF rating indicates how much of the sun's
UV radiation the fabric absorbs. For example,
a fabric with a UPF rating of 20 allows 1/20th
of the sun's UV radiation to pass through it.
This means that this fabric will reduce your skin's
UV radiation exposure by 20 times where it's protected
by the fabric.
Garments with a rating over UPF 50 may be labeled
UPF 50+; however, these garments may not offer
substantially more protection than those with
a UPF of 50. Also, a garment should not be labeled
"sun-protective" or "UV-protective"
if its UPF is less than 15. In addition, sun-protective
clothing may lose its effectiveness if it's too
tight or stretched out, damp or wet, and has been
washed and worn repeatedly.
To help protect children from the sun's damaging
effects:
- Remember that the sun's rays
are strongest from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
especially during the late spring and summer.
Reflected glare from water and snow also can
increase your exposure to UV radiation. Schedule
children's outdoor activities accordingly.
- Dress children for maximum
protection. Hats with brims and tightly woven,
long-sleeved shirts and pants offer the best
defense. Look for the UPF to ensure sufficient
protection.
- Select sunglasses that help
screen out both UVA and UVB rays. UV rays may
contribute to the development of cataracts.
Sunglasses that are close-fitting and have big
lenses offer more protection.
- Keep babies younger than six
months out of the sun. Sunscreens may irritate
baby skin, and an infant's developing eyes are
especially vulnerable to sunlight.
- Teenagers who work outside
as lifeguards, gardeners or construction workers
may be at special risk for skin damage, and
need adequate protection before going out in
the sun. Try to discourage teens from going
to tanning parlors. Like the sun, tanning devices
can damage the skin and eyes.
When at the beach or pool, cover exposed areas
with tightly woven clothing and wear a wide-brimmed
hat to protect your head and face. If you're a
parent, protect your children's skin; research
indicates that one or more severe, blistering
sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double
the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer
in this country. Medical experts diagnose it more
frequently every year, especially in young people.
Experts believe too much sun exposure in the early
years may be responsible for the increase in skin
cancer.
Two types of skin cancer basal cell and squamous
cell, usually are treatable if detected early.
Basal cell often develops on the face, ears, lips
and around the mouths of fair-skinned people.
Squamous cell usually appears as a scaly patch
or raised, wart-like growth.
Melanoma, another type of skin cancer, is the
most dangerous. It occurs anywhere on the body.
Early detection is crucial for successful treatment,
as melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
Factors associated with increased risk of developing
skin cancer include:
- several blistering sunburns
as a child or teenager;
- a family history of skin cancer;
- light-colored skin, hair and
eyes;
- moles that are irregular in
shape or color.
Take extra care to protect babies and children
from the sun. Studies show that one or more severe,
blistering sunburns as a child or teenager could
increase the risk for melanoma, an often fatal
form of skin cancer.
You need to be especially careful in the sun
if you:
- have fair skin; blond, red,
or light brown hair
- have blue, green, or gray
eyes
- have freckles and burn before
tanning
- spend a lot of time outdoors
- were previously treated for
skin cancer
- have a family history of skin
cancer, especially melanoma
- work indoors all week and
then try to catch up on your tan on weekends
- live or vacation at high altitudes
(ultraviolet radiation from the sun increases
4 to 5 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea
level)
- live or vacation close to
the equator
- have certain diseases, such
as lupus erythematosus
- take certain medicines, including:
- acne medicines
- antibiotics, such as tetracyclines
- antihistamines
- oral contraceptives containing estrogen
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such
as naproxen sodium
- phenothiazines (major tranquilizers and anti-nausea
drugs)
- sulfa drugs
- tricyclic antidepressants
- thiazide diuretics
- sulfonylureas, such as oral anti-diabetics.
Ask your doctor about the risk of any medicines
you may be taking that could be harmful to you
when you are in the sun.
To learn more about skin cancer or skin damage,
contact your family doctor, dermatologist, or:
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
1-800-4-CANCER
http://cis.nci.nih.gov
American Cancer Society (ACS)
1-800-ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
American Academy of Dermatology
P.O. Box 4014
Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014
www.aad.org
Excerpted from Office of Cosmetics and
Colors Fact Sheet, June 27, 2000: Sunscreens,
Tanning Products and Sun Safety
Excerpted from FDA Consumer,
June 1996: Seven Steps to Safer Sunning
While the information published here is meant
to be accurate, it is not intended to substitute
for professional medical advice. Please consult
your physician or local medical facility for information
specific to your individual needs. We urge that
you check with your physician before undertaking
any course of action and recommend that you always
follow the advice and recommendations of your
health practitioner.
