Sun protection for children: 10 rules for a safe tan
Sunscreen for children, compared to that of adults, is mainly aimed at defending them from UV rays and the damage they can cause: as we know, sunbathing is a mania typically for adults, and for children it is simply the effect of play in the water all day.
What are the behaviors and habits to adopt when taking children to the sea? How to best protect them from the sun? Find out with our 10 golden rules!
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1. Sunscreen must always be there
Summer for children means always playing in the open air, in the sun or in the shade, it doesn't matter. Since the sun's rays in summer are very strong, it is good to protect the little ones with sunscreen at all times of their outdoor games. "open, not only on the beach. Put sunscreen on your children even when they are not going to the beach, but are playing in the yard or elsewhere.
2. Choose a water resistant sunscreen
Once at the sea, you know, children get in and out of the water. As long as they really want to get out ... It is therefore important to get a water-resistant protective cream. There are several, especially in pharmacies and specialized shops, and some are designed specifically for minors!
3. The cream must be full spectrum
The sun's rays, as we know, are of different types. UV rays, ultraviolet, are divided into two types: UVA, responsible for skin aging, and UVB, those that cause sunburn and in the worst cases sunburn. Then there are infrared, which generate free radicals that cause more damage. Children stay in the sun for a long time, so it is good to choose specialized broad-spectrum creams, against all types of sun rays.
4. The protection factor of the sunscreen must be high
The sun has now become more harmful and aggressive than in the past. All dermatologists recommend, for both children and you, to choose a cream with a high protection factor, at least an SPF 50 +. Adults often use a factor of 50 for the face and 30 for the rest of the body, but at least for children it is best to apply the factor 50 everywhere.
5. Apply the cream before sun exposure, and in abundance
The sunscreen, for it to have a real effect, must be applied at least half an hour before exposure to the sun. Don't skimp on the quantity, but apply plenty of cream. This way it can be well absorbed before the little ones start running, getting wet and sweating.
6. Apply sunscreen several times a day
The sunscreen, as you already know, should be applied several times a day. If the child is less than three years old, it should be reapplied every hour on the whole body. If your child is 3 and older, put the cream back every two hours, whether or not he bathes in water.
7. Avoid exposing children to direct sunlight during the hottest hours
Do not expose children to the sun and direct rays during the hottest hours, between 12 and 16. Especially if they are less than 3 years old. Normally it is not recommended for everyone to sunbathe between 12 and 16, but in the case of children, who always want to be in the water, it is better to be cautious and apply the cream a little more often during those hours. the case of protecting them with hats, wet T-shirts and sunglasses during the most critical hours.
8. Apply the cream even on cloudy days
UV rays also penetrate the clouds, so even on less sunny days, do as if the sun were there, and apply the cream regularly to the children, with the same frequency and the same abundance.
9. Hydrates babies even with nutrition
During the summer, it is important to stay hydrated to protect yourself from the sun and the heat. Children are among the subjects most exposed to centrifuged, or like fresh fruit. An advantage, for example, is that children are often greedy for watermelon , full of properties excellent for the summer.
10. Remember: in small doses, the sun is good for you!
Follow all these tips for better sun protection for children, but remember that with due caution the sun is a friend of children: it helps synthesize vitamin D, essential for healthy bone growth. So enjoy the sun and the sea with due care!
Find out the foods recommended when you go out in the sun
For better hydration, to avoid unpleasant consequences such as sunburn or skin aging, here is a series of foods rich in mineral salts, moisturizing and perfect for the summer period. Discover them all and let your children eat them too!
