Summer is finally here and we are all ready to enjoy it!
Salute the Sun, Safely!
- Keep babies younger than 6 months out of the sun. If going outside, dress your baby in lightweight clothes that covers their arms and legs and don’t forget a wide hat.
- For young children, schedule activities in early morning hours or evening hours when temperatures will be lower.
Go Wide!
- Wear hats with wide brims. A baseball cap won’t prevent the sun from coming at an angle.
- When not wearing a hat, remember the sensitive skin along your hairline and part still get bombarded with harmful UVA and UVB rays. Use a sunscreen spray along your part.
Spread the Sunscreen!
How to Choose It?
- Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 with both UVA and UVB protection.
How to Use It?
- Always use sunscreen, even on cloudy days!
- Most people underestimate the amount! Always follow directions on the package. A good rule of thumb is to use at-least 1 ounce to cover exposed areas.
- If your school-age-child wants to apply his or her own sunscreen, always supervise the application. Remind them to wash their hands after applying to avoid getting sunscreen in their eyes.
- Spray sunscreens are convenient, but use them with caution. Sprays are easy to breathe in and can irritate your lungs. Sprays are also flammable. Sprays also make it hard to tell whether you have applied enough.
- Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors.
- Reapply sunscreen frequently, especially if swimming or sweating.
- Remember to check the expiration dates too!
Smile, Don’t Pout!
- Lips are skin too! Protect them by using a richly textured lip balm with SPF-15 or higher and reapply regularly when outdoors
Look Cool, Be Cool.
- Look cool- with sunglasses that are labeled protective for UVA and UVB. The sun’s rays reflect off of the sand and water, so protect your eyes and the sensitive skin surrounding them with sunglasses also!
- Be cool- as a good role model! Consistently wearing sunscreen protects you and teaches your kids good sun sense. It just takes one blistering sunburn when you’re a kid to double the chance of melanoma.
Remember these sun safety tips to protect your skin. Keep your summer and skin shining bright!