Best Defenses Against Sun Damage
All it takes is one bad sunburn to double your child's risk of adult skin cancer. Teaching your children to protect their skin every time they go outside can help them avoid sun damage.
Although keeping children indoors during summer afternoons may sometimes be impractical, teaching them proper sun protection habits, even if it's cloudy outside, can reduce the likelihood that they'll develop skin cancer later in life.
A child's delicate derma, which is thinner and more fragile than adult skin, burns easily. Children with fair skin, red or blonde hair, and light-colored eyes are particularly prone to freckling and burning. With studies showing that over 90% of all skin cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun, teaching children to protect themselves is their best defense.
Sunscreen should be reapplied every time your children come out of the water and every 2 hours during outdoor playtime. In addition, outfit your child with a wide-brimmed hat, shirt, and sunglasses. Teach your children to put on sunscreen any time they go outside. Even if it's cool and cloudy, the sun's ultraviolet rays can still cause damage.
