Summer Sun Safety Part 3

We've already taken you through the different types of sun rays and why they are harmful to us. And last week we started to take a look at ways to prevent sun damaged. This week is all about sunscreen.

There are plenty of good sunscreens to suit everyone's needs; including formulations for sensitive skin, scented creams, long lasting, water and sweat proof, as well as easy-application varieties such as spray bottles.

What matters most when deciding which sunscreen to use, you need to focus mainly on the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.

For children from 6 months and older, choose an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent sunburn and tanning. Choose a sunscreen stating that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. To avoid possible skin allergy, do not use sunscreens with PABA; rather use a product with the active ingredient titanium dioxide.

Teenagers might try self-tanning lotions to get a tanned appearance. These offer an ulternative to ultraviolet exposure, but with little to no protection from UV light.

For sunscreen to do its job properly, it needs to be applied correctly. Make sure to:

• Apply sunscreen whenever kids will be in the sun.
  
• Apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before kids go outside so that a good layer of protection can form. Don't forget about lips, hands, ears, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck. Lift up bathing suit straps and apply sunscreen underneath them (in case the straps shift as a child moves).
  
• Don't try to stretch out a bottle of sunscreen; apply it generously.
  
• Reapply sunscreen often, approximately every 2 hours, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Reapply after a child has been sweating or swimming.
  
• Apply a waterproof sunscreen if kids will be around water or swimming. Water reflects and intensifies the sun's rays, so kids need protection that lasts. Waterproof sunscreens may last up to 80 minutes in the water, and some are also sweat- and rub-proof. But regardless of the waterproof label, be sure to reapply sunscreen when kids come out of the water.

And remember to reapply sunscreen if exposed to sun at a long period of time, i.e. spending the day at the beach.

Next week we take a look at more ways to prevent you and your family from sun damage. If you have any tips to share, please post them in the comments below, or send them to us via our Twitter account or Facebook page and we'll share them with our followers!